Within the framework of the Vietnam – Asia DX Summit 2026, held in Hanoi, the plenary session on the theme "Creating New Drivers for Double-Digit Growth" took place on May 28 morning.
The year 2026 is seen as a pivotal year, as it is the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress, with the goal of advancing the country to develop and achieve double-digit growth. According to experts, to achieve this goal, Vietnam cannot rely solely on traditional growth drivers that have reached their limits; instead, it needs to focus on new growth drivers. These include innovation based on science and technology and digital transformation. This is the core driver that is crucial for the rapid and sustainable development of the country.
According to Mr. Bui Hoang Phuong, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, the year 2025 was a year where orientation for institutional reforms paved the way, and therefore relevant authorities have conducted a comprehensive review and fundamental amendments to almost the entire legal framework in the fields of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. "In particular, in the field of digital transformation, for the first time, Vietnam has a Law on Digital Transformation; a Law on Digital Industry and Technology; a Law on Artificial Intelligence; and a Law on Data. Vietnam is among few countries in the world to enact these laws that enable the State to have policies and mechanisms to coordinate and support citizens, businesses, agencies, and organizations to promote these activities nationwide," emphasized Mr. Bui Hoang Phuong.
Summarizing one year of implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthrough development in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science and Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation has identified that 2025 is the startup and preparation phase, while 2026 will require Vietnam to accelerate with the motto "breakthrough action and spreading results." In 2026, the key task identified by Vietnam’s Party and State is to transform these foundations and institutions into concrete results; to ensure the mechanisms and policies on digital transformation will be put into practice, serving the people and businesses to create tangible results and values.
According to the Deputy Minister, digital transformation cannot simply wait for citizens to proactively research policies to propose implementation. Digital transformation is not just about purchasing and using technology equipment, not just about using AI or investing in digital foundational databases. More importantly, citizens, businesses, and organizations need to change their mindset and approach by using digital technology to solve tasks. Localities and businesses need to proactively propose effective solutions to change processes and methods to apply digital technology.
Currently, foreign-invested enterprises contribute over 70% of Vietnam's annual export turnover. Samsung generates revenue equivalent to 13% of Vietnam’s GDP, meanwhile domestic enterprises only reap a small portion.
According to assessments from World Bank experts, a Vietnamese worker creates added value of $6.7 per hour, while in China it is $14.4 USD and Malaysia $27.7. The average export procedure across borders in Vietnam takes approximately 55 hours with a cost of $290 per shipment, while in Thailand it only takes 13 hours and in Singapore under 2 hours .
Experts believe that the growth model has shifted towards a new trend, from cheap labor to data, AI, and productivity. The rules of competition are also changing with three structural shifts reshaping the global economy: From labor to productivity; Digital technology is the new productivity machine; Generative AI is reshaping the race.
In the transition from labor to productivity, successful countries have increased efficiency, innovation, and smart data usage, with the information technology sector growing three times faster than the total economic growth over the past decade. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is also reshaping the race, with the demand for AI-related jobs increasing by 11% in low- and middle-income countries, but over 70% of AI jobs remain concentrated in wealthy nations.
In this context, the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in Vietnam is a strategic requirement; it is a prerequisite and the best opportunity for the country to develop in the new era - the era of the nation's rise.
Google translate