Vietnam Aims for Top 30 in Global EGDI by 2045

The Government of Vietnam has approved a national digital transformation strategy that places people and businesses at the center of the process, identifying them as both the driving force and the primary beneficiaries. The strategy envisions Vietnam becoming a developed digital nation where digital transformation is comprehensively implemented across all sectors and serves as the country's principal development model. The objectives include building a modern governance system powered by data and artificial intelligence (AI), strengthening domestic capabilities in strategic digital technologies, and firmly safeguarding national digital sovereignty. The strategy sets out objectives across three pillars: digital government, digital economy, and digital society. By 2030, all administrative records and the results of administrative procedures are expected to be fully digitized. The government targets 99 percent public satisfaction with online public services, with all ministries, sectors, and localities using national shared digital platforms for governance, public administration, and public service delivery. All government information systems will be interconnected through national data-sharing services, with national, sectoral, and provincial shared databases standardized and ready for AI applications. Provincial smart operation centers will be upgraded with AI-powered capabilities for analysis, forecasting, early warning, monitoring, and decision-making support. Every public official and civil servant will have an electronic personnel record and receive digital skills training. Officials responsible for digital transformation and information technology will be provided with regular technology updates, while every public servant will have access to an AI assistant and training on AI-powered tools for public administration. The strategy also targets compiling 70 percent of official statistical indicators from administrative data sources, reducing reliance on traditional surveys. By 2030, Vietnam aims to rank among the world's top 50 countries in the United Nations' e-government and digital government assessments, before advancing into the top 30 by 2045. The strategy aims to increase the digital economy's contribution to at least 30 percent of GDP by 2030. At least 500,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will receive support for digital transformation. The country also plans to establish and operate at least five secure and legally compliant data exchanges to facilitate data sharing and innovation. E-commerce is projected to account for 15–17 percent of total retail sales and consumer service revenue, while 45 percent of commercial SMEs are expected to participate in major domestic and international e-commerce platforms. The strategy also seeks to expand cashless payments, with total transaction value reaching 30 times GDP. More than 40 percent of SMEs are expected to adopt "model-as-a-service" platforms, AI agents, or shared AI solutions to improve productivity and competitiveness. To narrow the digital divide, fiber-optic broadband infrastructure will be extended to all households nationwide. At least 95 percent of people aged 15 and above are expected to hold bank accounts or accounts with other authorized financial institutions. More than 70 percent of adults will have personal digital or electronic signatures, while electronic health records are expected to cover the entire population. The Government also plans to provide basic digital skills training to at least 10 million working-age people during the 2026–2030 period. The strategy identifies Vietnamese digital technology enterprises as the core force for mastering and developing digital technologies while addressing major national digital transformation challenges. Priority will be given to developing a competitive "Make in Viet Nam" digital technology ecosystem centered on companies specializing in digital platforms, data, AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, semiconductors, software, digital content, and sector-specific digital transformation solutions. The Government also pledges to leverage its role as a major customer and market for domestic technology enterprises through public procurement, government contracts, service outsourcing, and regulatory sandbox mechanisms, creating early market opportunities for locally developed digital products and services. These measures will focus on areas including online public services, shared digital platforms, national databases, cybersecurity, digital healthcare, digital education, digital payments, and digital governance. In addition, domestic digital technology enterprises will receive support to strengthen research and development, product design, intellectual property, quality standards, cybersecurity, commercialization, and market expansion. The strategy also encourages stronger collaboration among large corporations, SMEs, research institutes, universities, innovation centers, high-tech parks, and government agencies to develop domestic digital technology value chains and increase local value added in Vietnam's digital products and services./. Source: Bao Chinh Phu