Digital transformation is an inevitable revolution that is reshaping how we work, do business, and interact. In Vietnam, it’s not just a trend but a key strategy to enhance national competitiveness and promote socio-economic development. In this journey, Artificial Intelligence plays a pivotal role, opening up unprecedented opportunities to optimize efficiency, create new value, and shape the future.
The global economy is shifting from a traditional to a digital model. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, with its core technologies like IoT, Big Data, and AI has created a fiercely competitive environment. If a country or business moves too slowly, it risks falling behind, losing its competitive edge, and failing to meet the market's growing demands.
In Vietnam, digital transformation is more than just data digitization; it's a comprehensive restructuring, from state management to business operations, aiming for a Digital Government, Digital Economy, and Digital Society.
In recent years, Vietnam has made significant progress, reflected in its international rankings:
Innovation: According to the Global Innovation Index (GII) by WIPO, Vietnam has climbed 2 spots to rank 44th out of 133 countries, showing an improved startup and innovation environment.
Cybersecurity: Vietnam ranks 17th out of 194 countries in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) by ITU, reflecting the government’s strong focus on protecting its digital space.
Digital Infrastructure: More than 82.4% of households have fiber optic internet, exceeding the set target. The commercialization of 5G has also opened a new era of high-speed connectivity.
Digital Economy: According to the e-Conomy SEA 2024 report, Vietnam’s digital economy is valued at an estimated $30 billion, ranking second in Southeast Asia.
Leveraging technology brings many opportunities but also significant challenges. For Vietnam, this is most evident in the development and application of AI, a technology considered key to the future.
.png)
Strengths:
Young, Tech-Savvy Population: With over 87% of the population using smartphones, Vietnam has a favorable foundation for widespread adoption of digital services and AI applications.
Dynamic Startup Ecosystem: Startups in Fintech, Edtech, AI, and IoT are thriving, contributing to the digital economy's strong growth.
Challenges:
Shortage of High-Quality Human Resources: There is a limited supply of experts in AI, Big Data, and cybersecurity. Training programs haven’t kept up with market demands.
Uneven Infrastructure: The gap between urban and rural areas creates a "digital divide", limiting access to digital services.
Limited Awareness: SMEs still view digital transformation as an expensive cost rather than a strategic investment, leading to hesitation and slow innovation.
Policy research suggests that a comprehensive AI strategy for Vietnam can be built on three main pillars:
1. Developing AI Human Resources
Expand specialized training programs and attract domestic and international experts and researchers.
2. Building an Open Data Ecosystem
Enhance connectivity, sharing, and integration of national data to support research, innovation, and technological applications.
3. Broad AI Application
AI has the potential to be deployed across various sectors, such as healthcare (supporting diagnostics), education (personalizing learning), manufacturing (automating processes), and agriculture (smart crop management).
Digital transformation is a continuous journey that requires the collective effort of the government, businesses, and the public. With its existing foundation and a strong desire for innovation, Vietnam has a great opportunity to become a dynamic and sustainable digital nation. In this journey, AI is the key that unlocks the future, bringing technology closer to every business and individual. We at CyberTech are committed to accompanying businesses on their digital journey, providing comprehensive AI solutions from building smart data systems to deploying suitable models for each industry to help clients optimize processes and achieve breakthroughs in the digital era.
