The new era and the backbone role of 5G
The goal of the digital economy contributing 30% of GDP by 2030 is creating great transformation pressure. While network operators and technology businesses are racing to complete hard infrastructure, soft infrastructure the quality of human resources is clearly revealing the gaps that need to be filled immediately to avoid missing growth momentum.
Over the past decade, Vietnam has completed the foundationation through connecting infrastructure and information technology services. However, according to experts at the 2025 Digital Transformation Workshop - Developing the Digital Economy in the New Era, the current period is much more ambitious, led by innovation driven by 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.
Analyzing in depth the role of this technology, in an interview with reporters, Ms. Rita Mokbel, Chairman of Ericsson Vietnam, commented that 5G is not simply a step forward in network speed, but is the "backbone" of the digital transformation of the economy and the golden solution to solve global challenges.
Ms. Rita Mokbel shared: "5G is a platform that connects everything that can be connected, from everyday wearables to industrial machinery, from delivery drones to logistics robots. This technology allows AI and cloud computing to be deployed on a large scale on a secure network, opening up new possibilities for both consumers and businesses."
Ericsson representative cited research data showing that for every 10% increase in mobile broadband usage rates, GDP can increase by up to 0.8%. To achieve this effect, she recommended that Vietnam should implement a three-pronged strategy of upgrading or eliminating old networks to free up resources, expand the main axis of fiber optic cables and activate innovation through the deployment of 5G in key areas.
Lessons from smart healthcare and blue seaports
Not only stopping at theory, the practical impacts of 5G on key industries are also clarified by Ericsson through international models.
In the medical field, Ms. Rita gave an example to the National University Hospital of Singapore (NUH). Thanks to pioneering the application of 5G, this unit has converted the model from online patient care to online, remote surgical support and expanded medical services to patients' homes with a latency of almost zero.
For the logistics industry, Rotterdam World Gateway is a testament to the power of technology as the world's first container port to operate entirely on electricity and achieve carbon neutrality thanks to advanced 5G infrastructure.
"The digitalization process will bring outstanding efficiency, improve quality and increase productivity. 5G is a seamless connection platform, ensuring the success of advanced business applications and solutions," Ms. Rita Mokbel emphasized.
Human resource bottlenecks at the intersection
Although technical infrastructure is being promoted by Ericsson and other network operators, observers believe that the Vietnamese labor market is facing a paradox of having excess unskilled human resources but a serious shortage of multi-purpose human resources.
Dr. Dong Manh Cuong, Head of the Faculty of Business, Vietnam National University (BUV) pointed out this mortise and tenure bottleneck. According to him, the market is thirsty for human resources who can connect technology and business.
Dr. Cuong analyzed: "The biggest challenge for Vietnam today is not the lack of human resources in general, but the lack of people at the intersection between business and technology. We need people who not only know how to use AI, but also know how to apply AI to business models to create real economic value".
According to experts, businesses are searching for digital product managers who have a deep understanding of user behavior, or experts who are capable of translating the technical language of the IT team into the strategy of the sales team.
Solutions from university lectures
To solve the human problem, the higher education model is being forced to restructure. The mindset of single-sector training is gradually giving way to integrated, practical programs.
A representative from BUV shared about the trend of bringing technology into the context of real business instead of teaching it as a separate subject. Students currently have access to virtual reality business simulation classes based on 5G and AI platforms. Real-time data analysis to make decisions on crisis handling or operational optimization has become a mandatory requirement in the classroom.
Dr. Cuong shares a new direction of training students not only to understand how operating technology is, but more importantly, to know how to convert 5G, AI, Cloud into a business model, into productivity and profit for businesses.
Obviously, to realize the aspiration of a high-income country, Vietnam needs to walk firmly with both feet. One side is a well-built high-speed digital infrastructure and the other side is a high-quality human resource, with modern management thinking in parallel with technological capacity.
