Vietnam has secured 37th place among 70 economies in the 2026 World Digital and AI Competitiveness Ranking (WDAIR 2026), placing third among six Southeast Asian economies assessed, in its first year participating in the ranking.
The result puts Vietnam among the world's top 50 economies and reflects progress in developing digital infrastructure, advancing digital transformation, adopting new technologies and modernising governance.
Vietnam performed particularly well in several component indicators, ranking 13th for AI application, 15th for digital and AI governance, and 21st for efficiency.
Speaking at a recent ceremony announcing Vietnam's results, organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said national competitiveness was no longer determined solely by natural resources or low-cost labour, but increasingly by the ability to master technology, harness data, develop talent and turn innovative ideas into practical solutions.
Professor Arturo Bris, director of the IMD World Competitiveness Center, identified Vietnam's early efforts to develop AI policies and promote implementation as a key strength. He also highlighted the high level of public trust in AI, which he said Vietnam should leverage to accelerate technological development and introduce new applications.
According to Mr. Bris, Vietnam is pursuing both regulatory development and practical AI deployment. IMD research found that only the Netherlands, Norway and Vietnam ranked among the top 20 economies in both areas.
However, access to funding remains a major challenge. Vietnam needs greater investment in research and development, AI-driven innovation, data centres and data infrastructure. It ranked 62nd out of 70 economies for investment in science and technology development.
Published on November 11, 2026, WDAIR expands IMD's Digital Competitiveness Ranking, first introduced in 2017, to include artificial intelligence. The ranking provides an international benchmark for economies to assess their strengths and weaknesses and shape policies for the digital and AI era.
Google translate