General Secretary To Lam Delivers Keynote Speech at the Sixth National Forum on Vietnamese Digital Technology Enterprises

Vietnam’s digital technology sector stands at a critical juncture in its economic trajectory, transitioning from a localized assembly hub into an innovative, self-reliant powerhouse. Speaking at the Sixth National Forum on Vietnamese Digital Technology Enterprises, General Secretary To Lam outlined an ambitious roadmap for the nation’s digital future. The high-profile event, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), convened policymakers, leading scientists, international tech executives, and domestic enterprise leaders to evaluate past achievements and confront structural vulnerabilities within Vietnam’s burgeoning digital economy.

The forum followed closely on the heels of a nationwide conference dedicated to implementing Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo, which emphasizes breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. Against the backdrop of rapid global technological shifts and Industry 4.0, the leadership’s message was clear: digital transformation is no longer a peripheral economic trend, but an essential national strategy required to bridge development gaps, enhance global competitiveness, and solidify Vietnam’s standing on the international technology map.

Economic Milestones and the Realities of Global Integration

During the forum, participants reviewed the impressive financial and operational growth of Vietnam’s digital technology sector. Total revenue for the industry reached $152 billion in 2024, representing a significant 35.7% increase compared to 2019. Furthermore, the domestic digital startup ecosystem has expanded rapidly, encompassing more than 74,000 active enterprises. By the end of 2023, nearly 1,900 Vietnamese digital technology companies had successfully ventured into international markets, generating $11.5 billion in revenue—a 53% increase from 2022.

Vietnam has also made measurable progress in digital governance and innovation metrics, ranking 71st out of 93 countries in e-government development and 44th out of 133 nations in the Global Innovation Index. The workforce within the sector has grown to approximately 1.67 million individuals, supported by a diverse ecosystem spanning hardware, software, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Despite these commendable metrics, General Secretary To Lam urged stakeholders to look past surface-level achievements and critically evaluate the domestic industry’s true position within global value chains. While Vietnam ranks high globally in the export of smartphones, electronic components, and computer hardware, a substantial portion of these figures relies heavily on foreign direct investment (FDI) and lower-tier assembly operations.

Data highlights a heavy reliance on imported components, with foreign-invested enterprises driving the vast majority of high-tech exports while importing up to 80% of their raw materials and parts. Local participation in tier-1 supply chains remains limited primarily to support services such as industrial catering, security, and waste management. Furthermore, over 80% of FDI enterprises utilize medium-level technology, while 14% rely on outdated systems and only 5% operate with advanced technologies. This structural imbalance underscores the urgent need to foster indigenous research and development (R&D) capabilities to prevent Vietnam from remaining merely a low-cost manufacturing and processing base.

Strategic Priorities for the Next Decade

To address these vulnerabilities and transition toward an independent, self-reliant digital economy, the Vietnamese leadership laid out seven core tasks for the digital technology sector and relevant government bodies:

1. Self-Reliance and Strategic Technology Mastery: Vietnam must prioritize the development of core and strategic technologies—such as artificial intelligence, IoT, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, nano-technology, 5G/6G mobile communications, and space technology. Mastering these domains is vital for reducing reliance on foreign resources and establishing true technological independence.

   

2. Digital Infrastructure Expansion: Robust, high-capacity, and globally compliant digital infrastructure serves as the backbone of the digital economy. Accelerated investments in high-speed broadband and modern data centers are required to ensure seamless nationwide connectivity.

3. Talent Acquisition and Human Capital Development: Strengthening policies to attract high-tech experts and nurturing domestic talent will build a robust innovation environment, enabling the emergence of globally competitive Vietnamese technology firms.

4. Sustainable Ecosystems through Public-Private Partnerships: Fostering deeper collaboration between enterprises, universities, research institutes, and international organizations will drive joint initiatives, mobilize global capital, and generate diversified digital products and services.

5. Expansion of the Digital Economy and Society: Accelerating the deployment of digital government frameworks, digital commerce, and smart societal solutions will improve public administrative efficiency and broaden citizen access to information technology.

6. Global Competitiveness and Regional Leadership: Vietnam aims to break into the top three ASEAN countries in digital technology R&D by 2030, while fostering the creation of at least five large-scale digital enterprises capable of competing internationally.

7. International Cooperation and Integration: Leveraging partnerships with global technology leaders—such as South Korea’s Samsung, LG, and Amkor Technology—allows domestic enterprises to "stand on the shoulders of giants," integrating smoothly into global value chains and expanding export markets for "Make in Viet Nam" products.

Institutional Responsibilities and Inter-Ministerial Collaboration

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) was tasked with leading regulatory efforts, guiding development trajectories, and rectifying existing structural limitations. This requires close inter-ministerial coordination with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and local authorities to streamline administrative processes and refine national digital infrastructure.

International partners, notably South Korea, continue to play a pivotal role in Vietnam’s technological evolution. Recent high-level engagements with South Korean semiconductor leaders and government officials underscore a shared vision for deep cooperation in advanced sectors like artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. By capitalizing on its demographic advantages, agile regulatory environment, and expanding international partnerships, Vietnam possesses the unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional development stages.

As the nation enters a new era of digital growth, the mandate for Vietnamese digital technology enterprises is clear: transform ambition into decisive action, master core technologies, and elevate the "Make in Viet Nam" brand on the global stage.