On May 28, on the plenary session of the 2026 Vietnam-Asia Digital Transformation Summit, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong described this yr as a pivotal milestone for attaining the nation’s formidable double-digit growth goal.
Phuong confused that Vietnam may now not depend on conventional growth drivers and as an alternative should prioritise innovation powered by sci-tech.
“After 2025 laid the groundwork through the completion of key legal frameworks such as the Law on Digital Transformation, the Law on Artificial Intelligence, and the Law on Data, 2026 has been identified as the acceleration phase with a strong focus on execution,” he mentioned. “The priority now is to translate institutional foundations into tangible outcomes that directly benefit individuals and businesses.”
The deputy minister emphasised that digital transformation is basically about altering mindsets and methods of working.
“Government agencies and businesses should not sit back waiting for policies or fully completed legal frameworks in every sector. They need to proactively use technology to solve real-world issues,” he mentioned. “Businesses must work directly from the ground up, from the day-to-day difficulties faced by citizens and enterprises, to propose breakthrough solutions, even if that means redesigning workflows and operational processes rather than simply focusing on legal amendments.”
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| Bui Hoang Phuong, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology |
He added that pilot initiatives ought to initially goal particular issues, however as soon as confirmed efficient, their implementation fashions must be scaled up extra broadly to create wider spillover results.
Regarding regulatory sandbox mechanisms, Phuong mentioned a devoted authorized framework had already been integrated into the Law on Science and Technology. The ministry is ready to work carefully with native authorities to pilot new fashions, together with permitting exemptions from sure requirements and rules inside legally permitted boundaries to facilitate innovation and analysis.
“The Ministry of Science and Technology is directly instructing specialised agencies to coordinate with localities in implementing sandbox models,” Phuong mentioned. “For example, the ministry is currently working on a pilot programme in Dien Bien province involving unmanned aerial vehicles. Within the sandbox framework, certain standards and regulatory requirements under existing laws may be temporarily exempted to help businesses overcome obstacles when deploying new technologies.”
He added that the ministry remained dedicated to supporting companies and native governments in conducting such trials to speed up the sensible adoption of know-how.
Ngo Dien Hy, vp of VINASA and deputy normal director of VNPT Group, mentioned this yr’s discussion board represented an pressing name to motion for Vietnam’s digital know-how enterprise neighborhood.
“Two critical strategic priorities are using technology as a core engine to improve labour productivity across the economy, and pioneering emerging sectors such as AI, the low-altitude economy, and robotics technology,” mentioned Hy. “The Vietnamese digital business community has shifted from passive technology adoption to mastering ‘Make in Vietnam’ capabilities, ranging from AI infrastructure and cloud infrastructure to large language models.”
However, he additionally warned of mounting challenges, together with workforce constraints, limitations in clear vitality infrastructure, and authorized gaps surrounding deep-tech growth. Hy said that VINASA would proceed appearing as a connector between establishments, companies, and markets to assist Vietnam’s subsequent growth part.
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| Ngo Dien Hy, vp of VINASA and deputy normal director of VNPT Group |
Hoang Huu Hanh, deputy director normal of the National Digital Transformation Agency underneath the Ministry of Science and Technology, argued that financial productiveness was not decided by utility layers alone, however by the standard of foundational infrastructure and the financial system’s capability to soak up know-how.
According to Hanh, these foundational layers embody shared infrastructure and knowledge methods, enabling establishments that create room for innovation whereas minimising authorized dangers, and an implementation equipment able to translating insurance policies into sensible outcomes.
“The Law on Digital Transformation is gradually building a resilient foundational layer,” he mentioned. “One notable feature is its dual mechanism, strengthening governance discipline while simultaneously creating leverage through safe regulatory corridors designed to protect individuals and organisations willing to innovate and experiment with unprecedented models.”
Tran Thi Lan Huong, senior digital specialist on the World Bank Group, warned towards the surface-level know-how lure, the place AI seems throughout a number of sectors with out changing into deeply embedded in the true financial system.
“To close the gap and create a breakthrough in growth, Vietnam needs to develop five pillars simultaneously: connectivity, computing, context, competency, and responsible AI,” she mentioned.
“Many economies began building these foundations early, instead of waiting for AI technologies to fully mature before deploying applications. Once the AI wave accelerated, those foundations became multipliers that significantly increased the value generated from digital infrastructure investments.”
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