Vietnam Bolsters Global Ties in Digital and Cybersecurity Sectors

Vietnam is actively strengthening international cooperation in the digital technology sector and enhancing its cybersecurity framework, a crucial strategy as the nation accelerates its digital economy transition. Digital technology product exports reached US$20.3 million in 2023, marking a 39.6% increase. After-tax profit stood at VND44.5 trillion, with contributions to the state budget totaling VND8.23 trillion. Average 5G download speeds have also seen significant improvement, reaching 594.81 Mbps in January 2026, a 52% rise from the previous year. This positions Vietnam as one of the world's fastest countries in 5G infrastructure deployment, with coverage reaching approximately 92% of the population, a pace unmatched by many advanced economies. In the AI domain, Vietnam is among the few economies outside the EU to adopt a comprehensive AI regulatory framework by 2025. It employs a risk-tiered approach, similar to the EU AI Act, imposing different obligations based on the AI system's risk level. This is viewed as a strategic step towards ensuring safe and transparent AI governance. On the cybersecurity front, concrete steps are being taken, including the operationalization of the Regional Counter Cybercrime Hub for Asia-Pacific in 2027, preparations for a "Cybersecurity Economy" initiative for APEC 2027, strengthening specialized cybersecurity agencies, and expanding the national cybersecurity operations center. Events like BSides Hanoi 2026 serve as platforms connecting Vietnam's cybersecurity community with international networks, fostering knowledge sharing. The partnership between FPT and OpenAI aims to assist businesses in developing AI transformation roadmaps, building AI platforms, and deploying AI solutions, underscoring Vietnam's growing confidence as a destination for AI infrastructure. However, drawing on Israel's experience, there's a suggestion that Vietnam should focus on talent development, scientific research, and chip design capabilities rather than rushing into building fabrication facilities. Vietnam's ultimate goal should not merely be establishing a presence in the semiconductor industry but gradually mastering high-value, knowledge-intensive segments of the value chain, becoming a key link in the global semiconductor supply chain. This would serve as a launchpad for strengthening the country's competitiveness in AI, electronics, and the digital economy. Da Nang city is accelerating investment attraction and mobilization of social resources by leveraging expanded development space, special policy mechanisms, and institutional reforms to position itself as a strategic investment destination and a pioneer in Vietnam's economic growth. Furthermore, in Hung Yen province, the construction of a high-tech park is proposed, expected to attract high-quality talent and innovation resources from Hanoi while strengthening production and logistics links across the Northern Key Economic Region. These developments highlight Vietnam's positioning of digital transformation as a key driver of economic growth, aiming for sustainable development through technological innovation and international cooperation.