January 04, 2026 | 14:30

To accelerate dual transformation

Leaders from domestic and international businesses attending the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 discussed ideas on how to advance a unified national effort to accelerate Vietnam’s green and digital transformation.

To accelerate dual transformation

Mr. Hiro Miura, Head of Market Unit for Mobile Networks in Southeast Asia at Nokia

Today, much of the mobile ecosystem still revolves around consumer devices. However, we are entering a new era - an AI supercycle that will transform networks and societies. In this future, intelligence will reside not only in phones but also in machinery, sensors, autonomous systems, and industrial platforms, creating a far more heterogeneous and dynamic digital world.

In Vietnam, Nokia is a leading supplier of 4G and 5G radio technologies, providing equipment and solutions to major operators including Viettel and VNPT, and supporting the expansion and modernization of the country’s mobile networks. The company also delivers core applications and backbone transmission networks to strengthen the broader ecosystem.

Nokia and NVIDIA recently announced a strategic partnership to introduce NVIDIA-powered AI-RAN into Nokia’s RAN portfolio, enabling AI-native 5G-Advanced and future 6G networks. For Ho Chi Minh City, this advancement brings computing and intelligence closer to where city data is generated, supporting real-time decision-making to improve mobility and reduce congestion, optimize energy and resource efficiency, enhance public service responsiveness, and foster the growth of a local digital and AI innovation ecosystem. This initiative aligns directly with Vietnam’s goals of technological autonomy and digital resilience.

On October 21, during the visit by Party General Secretary To Lam to Nokia’s headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, the company reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting the priorities of Politburo Resolution No. 57, accelerating digital transformation, fostering innovation, and contributing to long-term national development. Nokia firmly believes that its strategic direction aligns closely with Vietnam’s national digital ambitions, particularly Ho Chi Minh City’s vision of becoming a smart, globally-connected city.

Mr. Ashish Joshi, Board Member at PRO Vietnam, CEO and General Director of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverages

PRO Vietnam has evolved into more than just an alliance over the past five years. We have become the leading platform for circular packaging transformation in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, bringing together global corporations, local enterprises, non-government organizations (NGOs), recyclers, and government agencies with one shared purpose: to ensure every piece of packaging is collected, recycled, and returned to the economy.

Founded in 2019 with nine pioneering members, including Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam, PRO Vietnam today comprises 30 committed companies, representing the strongest voluntary movement for sustainable packaging in the country. Our long-term goal is for 100 per cent of packaging placed on the market by our members to be collected and recycled. This is not just a technical goal; it represents a mindset shift, from collecting waste to creating a true circular ecosystem where packaging is designed for recyclability from the outset.

Vietnam’s direction is clear. Politburo Resolution No. 57 highlights innovation, sustainability, and green growth as strategic pillars of national development. PRO Vietnam fully embraces this vision because it reflects what we have been building since Day 1.

Even before Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) became mandatory in 2024, PRO Vietnam members were already investing voluntarily in eco-design, light-weighting, collection pilots, and recycling technologies.

These actions demonstrate one thing clearly: Vietnam can lead the region in circular packaging if we move together and act decisively.

Dr. Bruno Wu, Chairman of the Board at Sun Seven Stars Investment Group

Throughout my many years working with global financial centers, technology hubs, and academic institutions, I have come to believe that the countries with the strongest aspirations are those that will lead the digital age. Vietnam - guided by the strategic vision of its leadership and the dynamism of its business community - now possesses all the essential elements to become one of the most influential emerging powers in the Asia-Pacific region over the coming decade.

Sun Seven Stars, together with our ecosystem of global partners, comes to Vietnam with a clear mission: to collaborate in building a world-class financial, technological, and innovation hub that connects global capital, intelligence, and cutting-edge technologies.

We firmly believe that Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam have the potential to become a leading digital financial center in Asia, a global powerhouse for AI and innovation, a pioneer of sustainable urban development, and a magnet for top talent worldwide.

The global economy is undergoing a profound structural transformation. AI, digital asset tokenization, green supply chains, new energy technologies, and next-generation financial systems are reshaping how nations trade, invest, and grow.

Vietnam’s greatest strength lies in its spirit, resilience, creativity, and the new generation of business leaders who dare to think big, act boldly, and lead with vision. By aligning our visions, connecting our intellectual strength, and combining our resources, we can achieve breakthrough progress for Vietnam in the digital era.

Dr. Pham Thai Lai, CEO of Siemens in ASEAN and Vietnam

For over 30 years, Siemens has proudly supported Vietnam’s socio-economic development, building strong partnerships with the government and local authorities, including in Ho Chi Minh City. We have contributed to key areas such as smart energy management, wastewater treatment, smart buildings, and automation solutions for both international and Vietnamese manufacturers. Our Busway Factory at VSIP II in the city strengthens local manufacturing and exports, reinforcing Vietnam’s industrial base.

Siemens also invests in local talent. Partnering with top engineering institutions, including the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, the Vietnamese-German University, and the Thu Duc College of Technology, we prepare the next generation to thrive in a rapidly-evolving technological landscape.

At Siemens, we deliver solutions across industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. These sectors are the backbone of the economy, and digitalization offers opportunities to make them more competitive, resilient, and sustainable.

Ho Chi Minh City’s ambition to become a leading international metropolis aligns with Siemens’ vision. We see immense potential for collaboration, particularly in leveraging high-tech solutions to drive the city’s digital transformation, resilience, and sustainable growth. We focus on three key areas.

First, building a digital backbone. Using Siemens Xcelerator, Industrial AI, and the Industrial Metaverse, we can create digital twins of the city’s critical infrastructure, from smart buildings and energy grids to transportation networks. This allows optimized planning, predictive maintenance, and real-time management, making the city smarter and more responsive. In manufacturing, our AI and simulation tools enhance productivity, positioning Ho Chi Minh City as a global industrial hub.

Second, driving the green transition. Siemens technologies currently save over 300,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually. We aim to further improve energy efficiency, integrate renewable energy, and build robust smart grids. This reduces the city’s carbon footprint while ensuring a stable, sustainable energy supply for its growing economy.

Third, fostering a high-tech ecosystem. Beyond technology, we support workforce development and innovation hubs. Through knowledge transfer and capacity building in digital and green technologies, we empower local talent to lead the future, leveraging AI-powered tools such as Siemens Industrial Copilot and edge computing for advanced operations.

Together with the Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan region, Siemens envisions co-creating a world-class, future-ready city. By deepening collaboration with the Vietnamese Government and city authorities, we aim to build a future where technology serves humanity, supporting Vietnam’s vision to become a developed, high-income country with an independent, modern economy by 2045.

Professor Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, Vice Chancellor of the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City

Representing Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) and the scientific community, we propose three strategic directions to advance Vietnam’s knowledge economy.

First, sustainable investment in high-quality human resources. VNU-HCMC currently trains nearly 100,000 high-quality students and has more than 4,000 scientists and experts working in strategic fields such as AI, data science, semiconductors, advanced materials, renewable energy, and biotechnology. We call on the government, city authorities, and businesses to support human resources development through shared laboratories, joint R&D centers, and expert exchange mechanisms, positioning VNU-HCMC as the “R&D headquarters” for enterprises in Vietnam and the region.

Second, promoting State-University-Business collaboration. VNU-HCMC is establishing an Innovation Center at the city’s eastern gateway, next to Saigon High-Tech Park, aiming to become a “mini Silicon Valley.” This collaboration allows businesses to access young talent and experts directly on campus, fosters spin-offs and startups, and ensures that training programs remain aligned with real-world industry needs.

Third, establishing a university-led “sandbox” for innovation. We propose a pilot “sandbox” mechanism for technology transfer and product testing, allowing VNU-HCMC greater autonomy to invest in research outputs, streamline public investment procedures, and operate like an innovative enterprise. This will create an environment where scientists and students can experiment boldly, accelerate innovation, and lead in the knowledge economy.

With ready infrastructure, a growing pool of talent, and strong aspirations for innovation, VNU-HCMC seeks further trust, supportive policies, and investment from the government and the business community to drive sustainable growth in Vietnam’s knowledge economy.

Attention
The original article is written and published on VnEconomy in Vietnamese, then translated into English by Askonomy – an AI platform developed by Vietnam Economic Times/VnEconomy – and published on En-VnEconomy. To read the full article, please use the Google Translate tool below to translate the content into your preferred language.
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