Vietnam approves national digital transformation plan, boosting tech and trade initiatives

Vietnam's government has approved a National Digital Transformation Strategy for 2026–30, aiming to build a data‑ and AI‑driven digital nation by 2045. The plan, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung, targets a digital economy contributing at least 30% of GDP by 2030, full digitalisation of administrative records, and 99% satisfaction with online public services. It includes AI‑enhanced smart operation centres, digital skills training for ten million workers, and a national data governance framework linking key databases such as population, land, finance and health.

To support small and medium‑sized enterprises, the strategy will provide digital transformation assistance to 500,000 SMEs, promote e‑commerce to 17% of retail sales and expand cashless payments. Broadband will be extended to every household, and a unified digital identity platform will broaden public‑service access. The government also seeks to strengthen Vietnam's tech ecosystem by encouraging domestic firms, public‑procurement incentives, regulatory sandboxes and R&D investment in semiconductors, cloud and cybersecurity.

Parallel efforts highlight Vietnam's drive to integrate into global supply chains: a U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission to Vietnam is planned for November, Japanese partners are cooperating on digital transformation, and Vietnamese firms such as FPT Software and VNG are expanding IT outsourcing. The country is also promoting its agricultural and spice products to markets like Argentina and enhancing its intellectual‑property framework at the World Intellectual Property Organisation.