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

The Sixth National Forum on Vietnamese Digital Technology Enterprises convened in early 2025 to evaluate the rapid expansion and structural transformation of Vietnam’s technology sector. Against the backdrop of global economic integration and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, General Secretary To Lam delivered a comprehensive keynote address highlighting the critical role of digital enterprises in driving national economic sovereignty, technological autonomy, and sustainable development. The forum served as a strategic platform for policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and international partners to review key milestones, identify persistent structural vulnerabilities, and chart an ambitious roadmap for Vietnam’s digital economy through 2030.

Background Context and Strategic Framework

The forum follows closely on the heels of the national conference dedicated to implementing Resolution 57 of the Politburo, which emphasizes breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. Resolution 57 acts as a foundational policy framework—often likened in strategic significance to historic agricultural reforms—aimed at repositioning Vietnam on the global technology map.

In recent years, Vietnam has actively accelerated its national digital transformation agenda to narrow the development gap with regional and global economies. The overarching strategy focuses on fostering innovation, enhancing labor productivity, and improving the quality of life across all demographics. By leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing, Vietnam seeks to transition from a low-value assembly hub into an advanced digital economy characterized by self-reliance, high-value manufacturing, and international competitiveness.

Key Milestones and Sector Performance Data

The Vietnamese digital technology industry has recorded substantial growth over the past half-decade, reflecting broader macroeconomic momentum. According to official reports presented at the forum, total revenue for the digital technology industry reached $152 billion in 2024, representing a 35.7% increase compared to 2019. This sustained expansion underscores the sector’s growing weight within the national economy.

The domestic startup ecosystem has similarly matured, with over 74,000 active digital technology enterprises operating nationwide. A notable milestone was achieved in 2023, when nearly 1,900 Vietnamese digital enterprises expanded into international markets, generating $11.5 billion in overseas revenue—a 53% increase from 2022. This international outreach demonstrates the rising capability of domestic firms to participate in global value chains and increase export values.

Furthermore, administrative efficiency and digital governance have shown measurable progress. Vietnam is currently ranked 71st out of 93 countries in e-government development and 44th out of 133 countries in the Global Innovation Index. The domestic workforce within the digital technology sector has expanded to approximately 1.67 million workers, supporting a diversified ecosystem spanning hardware, software, AI, big data, and advanced telecommunications infrastructure.

Structural Vulnerabilities and Critical Realities

Despite these impressive headline figures, General Secretary To Lam called for a rigorous and unvarnished examination of the underlying structural realities governing Vietnam’s technology sector. He questioned whether the country’s prominent export rankings—such as ranking second globally in smartphone exports, fifth in electronic components, sixth in computer equipment, seventh in software outsourcing, and eighth in electronic subassemblies—truly reflect domestic value addition or merely low-cost assembly work.

Analysis of foreign direct investment (FDI) reveals significant structural dependencies. While multinational corporations such as Samsung and LG have driven massive export volumes, domestic participation remains heavily skewed toward low-value auxiliary services like industrial catering, waste management, and security, rather than high-tech tier-1 and tier-2 component supply. For instance, out of dozens of tier-1 suppliers in provinces like Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh, the vast majority are foreign-owned enterprises.

Moreover, over 80% of FDI enterprises in Vietnam utilize medium-level technology, 14% rely on outdated technologies, and only about 5% employ high technology. This imbalance poses the risk of Vietnam remaining a permanent destination for low-end manufacturing and electronic waste if domestic research and development (R&D) capabilities, intellectual property creation, and talent acquisition are not decisively strengthened. Regional disparities in infrastructure development and technology access further exacerbate these challenges, creating a fragmented domestic digital landscape.

Strategic Directives for the Future

To address these vulnerabilities and capitalize on emerging opportunities, General Secretary To Lam outlined seven core strategic tasks for the digital technology sector and domestic enterprises during the coming phase:

1. Self-Reliance and Strategic Technology Mastery: Domestic enterprises must prioritize independent research and development, focusing on core strategic technologies including artificial intelligence, IoT, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, nano-technology, 5G/6G mobile communications, and space technology. Mastering these domains is essential for establishing genuine economic independence.

2. Infrastructure Development: Heavy investment must be directed toward modern, high-capacity, broadband digital infrastructure that meets international standards, facilitating nationwide connectivity and supporting the digital economy.

3. Human Capital and Talent Acquisition: Enhanced policies are required to attract high-tech experts, foster local talent, and improve research environments, thereby strengthening domestic innovation capacity and building world-class technology enterprises.

4. Sustainable Ecosystem Building: Fostering robust linkages between enterprises, universities, research institutes, and government bodies through public-private partnerships will help mobilize resources and generate diverse, high-demand technology products and services.

5. Digital Economy and Digital Society: Expanding digital government, digital economy, and digital society frameworks will improve public services, promote e-commerce, and increase information technology accessibility for all citizens.

6. Global Competitiveness and Regional Hub Status: Vietnam aims to break into the top three ASEAN countries in science and technology R&D by 2030, while creating at least five large-scale digital enterprises capable of international competition.

7. International Cooperation and Integration: Building upon partnerships with global technology leaders—such as ongoing collaborations with South Korean firms like Samsung, LG, and Amkor Technology—will allow Vietnamese enterprises to leverage existing global value chains while steadily moving up the technological ladder.

Institutional Responsibilities and Broader Implications

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), in coordination with other central ministries—including the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of National Defense—bears primary responsibility for leading regulatory oversight, refining legal frameworks, and improving administrative efficiency. Streamlining policy implementation and resolving infrastructure bottlenecks will be critical to supporting sustainable industry growth.

International partners, including delegations from South Korea and global semiconductor leaders, have expressed strong support for Vietnam’s digital ambitions. Leveraging Vietnam’s demographic advantages, agile regulatory environment, and expanding international integration, industry stakeholders remain optimistic about the country’s potential to transition from an outsourcing destination into a leading regional and global hub for digital technology innovation.