In the article "Digital transformation: Vietnam's main growth driver" published on opengovasia.com on February 15, author Samaya Dharmaraj commented that Vietnam is at an important moment in the process of economic development. As traditional growth drivers are approaching their limits, the country is moving towards digital transformation and a digital economy to boost growth in the future.
Traditionally, Vietnam has achieved a growth rate of 7% thanks to traditional economic sectors. However, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung pointed out that such a growth rate will not be enough for the future. To overcome this number, the country must grasp emerging drivers such as science and technology, innovation and most importantly, digital transformation. This change is very necessary for Vietnam's goal of achieving a high-income position and entering the top 50 globally in infrastructure, technology and digital industry by 2030.
Vietnam's telecommunications industry has made significant progress in recent years. Vietnam has increased 36 places in the global rankings, from 108th in 2018 to 72nd in 2024. With continuous efforts, Vietnam aims to enter the top 40 globally by 2030. In the field of data infrastructure, Vietnam is in the top 60 and aims to enter the top 30 by 2030. Vietnam's cybersecurity position is also very strong, ranked 17th globally and aiming to enter the top 10.
Vietnam's digital technology industry contributes significantly to the economy, with annual revenue exceeding 150 billion USD and a growth rate of 15%. Vietnam is in the top 20 globally in this field and is aiming to enter the top 15 in the near future.
Vietnam's digital economy currently accounts for more than 18% of GDP, growing by more than 20% in 2024. By 2030, the government expects this figure to increase to 30-35%, putting Vietnam in the top 30 global economies in terms of contribution to the digital economy.
E-government and digital governance are also important components of the country's digital transformation efforts. Vietnam has made significant progress, increasing 15 places to 71st place in the global e-government rankings in 2024.
An important policy guiding this transformation process is Resolution 57 issued by General Secretary To Lam on behalf of the Politburo. This Resolution aims to promote breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, identifying these as pillar areas for the country's development in the new era. Resolution 57 is considered a revolutionary step, aiming to unleash the country's creative potential through science, technology and innovation.
Digital transformation provides the necessary tools and platforms to accelerate the application of these initiatives, creating a dynamic environment for rapid economic growth. Studies show that digital transformation can boost GDP by up to 3% per year in developing countries, becoming an important factor for Vietnam's continuous growth.
To guide this transformation process, the National Digital Transformation Committee has developed a comprehensive action plan until 2025. The author concluded that as Vietnam moves forward, digital transformation and the digital economy will play a central role in the economic future, promoting innovation and ensuring sustainable growth in the coming years.
