Driver Of Vietnam's Global Impact

Based on recent reports surrounding the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (January 2026), the key government official heavily involved in driving Vietnam's global impact through technology, innovation, and digital transformation is Nguyen Manh Hung, who has been appointed to lead the new Ministry of Science and Technology.

Backgound

Nguyen Manh Hung (Minister of Science and Technology), driving the strategy to move Vietnam from a middle-income to a high-income nation by focusing on a "trio" of science, technology, and innovation, aiming to make Vietnam a major exporter of high-tech solutions, similar to its success in agriculture. He is implementing "Resolution 57," which emphasizes self-reliance in core technologies.

Key Strategies for Global Impact (2026):

Semiconductors & AI:

Positioning Vietnam as a hub for high-tech manufacturing.

Digital Transformation:

Implementing virtual assistants for citizens and digitalizing the economy.

Green Growth:

Working toward net-zero emissions by 2050.

Economic Diplomacy:

Using international partnerships to boost trade.

Vietnam is undergoing rapid digital development and has one of the fastest-growing digital economies in Southeast Asia. The government has prioritized this transformation to drive economic growth, with the digital economy expected to account for 30% of GDP by 2030. Key areas include digital payments, e-commerce, and AI.

Its digital economy is growing over 20% per year, the fastest in Southeast Asia. The country is expected to rank among the top three in Southeast Asia and the top 50 worldwide in digital competitiveness and e-government development.

Strategic Vision:

Vietnam's Ambitious

Digital Goals

Vietnam’s digital transformation strategy is a plan that will shape the country's future. It focuses on making Vietnam a leader in technology.

The country’s digitalization strategy is driven by the National Digital Transformation approved in 2020. This program has three key pillars: digital society, digital economy and digital government.

Vietnam is investing in its digital future. The country has a potential $1.5 billion investment from SpaceX for Starlink satellite internet. As of October 2024, 88.7% of mobile subscribers in Vietnam used smartphones, and 82.3% of households had broadband fiber optic internet. The country’s 4G coverage is 99.8%.