Vietnam Eyes Digital Transformation to Boost Hospitality, Tourism Competitiveness

Officials, tourism authorities and business representatives agreed that Vietnam should move beyond simply showcasing scenic landscapes and instead offer distinctive cultural experiences. In recent years, digital transformation has become a common feature in socio-economic development strategies. For tourism – a multi-sector, experience-driven industry closely tied to information – digitalisation is no longer a trend but an inevitable requirement to enhance competitiveness and ensure sustainable development. Da Nang is committed to supporting businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in digital transformation, AI adoption, and workforce development, with the goal of becoming a hub for innovation and AI development in central Vietnam, said a local official. For Assoc. Prof. Ta Duc Tung, the biggest gift overseas researchers can give isn’t simply handing over technology; it’s linking up knowledge, people and entire research ecosystems. For digital government, stronger investment is needed in shared digital infrastructure, particularly critical infrastructure, AI infrastructure and high-performance connectivity. The capital city of Hanoi aims for the digital economy to contribute around 40% of its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) by 2030, with the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park serving as the core research and development hub. The signing and implementation of the five projects mark a concrete step toward realising the Party and State’s policies on science – technology development, innovation and digital transformation, with the semiconductor industry identified as one of strategic technologies fundamental to national competitiveness and technological autonomy. Data has become a strategic asset and a key resource for socio-economic development, as well as a foundation of national competitiveness. As a result, effective data governance, utilisation and protection have become increasingly urgent for organisations and businesses. Building a national talent ecosystem is a long-term development strategy that will underpin Vietnam's competitiveness and innovation-driven growth. Building a national electronic archives system is not merely a matter of investing in technological infrastructure. It must be designed in an integrated manner from the outset, encompassing system architecture, governance procedures, and data protection mechanisms, to ensure long-term security, integrity, and data sovereignty. Vietnam’s biggest takeaway from Taiwan isn’t just cutting-edge technology alone, but how to build an entire semiconductor ecosystem from the ground up, said Dr. Vo Duc Thang, Assistant Professor at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech) and President of the Vietnam Innovative and Intellectual Network in Taiwan (China) (VIN Taiwan) told the Vietnam News Agency. According to the Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Ministry of Science and Technology, human resources will be among the decisive factors determining whether the country can successfully implement its nuclear power programme on schedule. To strengthen its competitiveness in attracting global talent, the city has introduced a comprehensive package of incentives, including housing assistance, transportation support, streamlined immigration and work permit procedures, improved research facilities, and favourable working conditions. Vietnam aims to become a developed digital nation where digital transformation is implemented comprehensively across all sectors and serves as the country's principal development model. The strategy envisions a modern system of national governance powered by data and AI, strong domestic capabilities in strategic digital technologies, platforms and products, and firm protection of national digital sovereignty. Vietnam possesses significant advantages for deeper participation in the global technology value chain. Its young engineering workforce, strong capacity to absorb new technologies and strategic location have made the country an increasingly attractive destination for technology-related foreign direct investment. Jointly organised by the Rencontres du Vietnam (Meeting Vietnam) association and the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE), the five-day event features lectures by leading professors and scientists in quantum physics and materials science, providing participants with a solid theoretical foundation. They are also updated on the latest research advances in quantum topological materials. The Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge 2026 showcased a new generation of AI solutions with the potential to move beyond the lab and into real-world use. The 2025 household living standards survey showed that 87.3% of the population used mobile phones, up 2.5 percentage points from 84.8% in 2024. Of those, 80.3% used smartphones, while the proportion of people using feature phones fell to 8.5%. A healthy tokenised asset market must be built on reliable data, verifiable identities, transparent information on assets and cash flows, and effective disclosure and supervision mechanisms, an expert has said. The two-day event, organised by the Vietnam Blockchain Association in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Association and the Vietnam National Real Estate Association, aims to foster policy dialogue, attract investment and position Vietnam as a regional hub for real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation during 2026-2030. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Minh, former rector of the Hanoi National University of Education, said basic research not only generates new knowledge but also fosters innovation and improves the quality of economic growth. Vietnam's growing research capacity has enhanced its regional and international standing while contributing to sustainable development, strategic autonomy, national defence and governance. Deputy PM Ho Quoc Dung said the current priority is to change the mindset. AI should not be developed in isolation by individual agencies or organisations but through an interconnected ecosystem linking the State, universities and research institutes, and businesses. Following a rigorous five-week intensive bootcamp led by experts from Google Research, Stanford, and NVIDIA, the teams entered a grueling 48-hour AI hackathon to develop AI-native applications. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.