The Government has recently approved the National Digital Economy and Digital Society Development Programme for 2026–2030, setting ambitious targets to accelerate digital transformation across all sectors and expand access to digital services for citizens and businesses.
The programme, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung, envisions a dynamic digital economy powered by data, digital platforms and AI, alongside an inclusive and secure digital society where people can fully benefit from technological advances.
Digital economy to become a key growth driver
Under the programme, Vietnam expects the digital economy to account for approximately 30% of national GDP by the end of the decade.
The strategy positions digital technology, innovation and data-driven development as core pillars of future economic growth while supporting the country's broader green and sustainable development objectives.
Authorities have identified digital infrastructure, data governance, AI adoption, digital skills and technology enterprises as key priorities for the next five years.
A major focus of the programme is the development of modern, secure and integrated digital infrastructure.
By 2030, 100% of households are expected to have access to fiber-optic broadband internet with speeds of up to 1 Gb/s, while 5G networks are targeted to cover 99% of the population with minimum speeds of 100 Mb/s.
Vietnam also plans to accelerate investment in data centres, cloud computing facilities, high-performance computing systems and AI infrastructure services.
Emerging technologies, including low-earth-orbit satellite internet systems, will be explored to improve connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
The government will take the lead in developing strategic and public digital infrastructure, while private enterprises will participate through market-based investment mechanisms.
Cybersecurity remains a central component of the strategy, with plans to establish internationally standardised security centres and strengthen safety frameworks for AI, blockchain, cloud computing and big data technologies.
Data and AI to power the next phase of growth
The programme places unprecedented emphasis on building a data economy and expanding AI applications across government, business and society.
Vietnam plans to establish at least five data exchanges by 2030 and further develop national and sectoral databases to support data sharing, reuse and innovation.
Authorities will continue refining legal frameworks governing data ownership, digital assets, data commercialisation and cross-border data flows.
AI has been identified as a strategic technology capable of boosting productivity, enhancing public administration and accelerating innovation.
Government agencies will be encouraged to identify practical challenges that can be addressed through AI-powered solutions, while successful pilot projects will be expanded nationwide.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to play a central role in the country's digital transformation agenda. The government aims to support at least 500,000 SMEs in adopting digital technologies and AI applications during the 2026–2030 period.
Vietnam also seeks to strengthen domestic digital platform ecosystems, promote open APIs and enhance interoperability across industries.
Building a people-centred digital society
Beyond economic objectives, the programme aims to create a comprehensive digital society with citizens at its core.
By 2030, all Vietnamese citizens aged 14 and above are expected to possess digital identity accounts linked to the national electronic identification system.
The government also targets 95% of people aged 15 and older having access to bank or financial transaction accounts, while more than 70% of adults are expected to use personal digital signatures.
Digital services available through the VNeID platform will continue to expand, supporting public administration, business activities and everyday transactions.
Authorities also plan to strengthen connections between the National Population Database and other national databases to improve the quality and efficiency of digital public services.
At the same time, the programme emphasizes digital literacy, responsible technology use and the development of healthy digital environments and online communities.
Training 10 million workers in digital skills
Human capital has been identified as a decisive factor in achieving Vietnam's digital transformation goals.
The programme targets Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines accounting for 40% of university enrollment by 2030 while providing basic digital skills training for at least 10 million people of working age.
Vietnam also seeks to develop a highly skilled workforce specialising in AI, data science, cybersecurity and advanced digital technologies.
Partnerships among government agencies, businesses and educational institutions will be expanded to align training programmes more closely with labour market demands.
In addition, policies will be introduced to attract technology experts from both domestic and international talent pools and support the development of AI-powered digital labour platforms.
Technology firms encouraged to compete globally
Another major objective is strengthening Vietnam's digital technology sector and fostering globally competitive enterprises.
By 2030, Vietnam aims to have at least five digital technology companies operating at levels comparable to leading international firms.
Large enterprises and state-owned corporations are expected to serve as innovation leaders, deepen participation in global value chains and promote the development of "Make in Vietnam" digital products and services.
The expansion of data markets, innovation ecosystems, carbon credit trading mechanisms and new digital marketplaces is also expected to create additional growth opportunities for the economy.
The 2026–2030 programme is expected to provide a critical foundation for a development model driven by technology, innovation and data, helping Vietnam accelerate its transition toward a digital future while ensuring broader social inclusion and sustainable growth.
Son Vu
