AI, Digital Transformation and Vietnam’s 2045 Strategy
Vietnam is at a crucial turn in its development. Today the Vietnam celebrates a remarkable period of growth over the past decades and is looking forward to even more ambitious goals, that of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045, the 100th anniversary of its independence. The core of this vision is a seamless, harmonious collaboration among artificial intelligence (AI), national technology policy, and broader digital transformation to create technology as the backbone of sustainable prosperity, innovation, and global competitiveness.
My article dives into Vietnam’s plans to use AI and digital transformation to drive its 2045 goals. It highlights the foresight, practical actions and people-centric strategies that are driving the country forward, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The digital economy is already showing strong development momentum, and Vietnam will be able to skip old paths of development and build a bright and inclusive future for the Vietnamese people with a resilient economy.
The Foundations: From Reform to Digital Ambition
Vietnam’s journey toward digital excellence builds on a strong legacy of economic pragmatism and adaptability. The Đổi Mới policy of the late 1980s has made Vietnam one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies, moving from one of the more war-torn economies in the region. In the Fourth Industrial Revolution Vietnam is taking advantage of its strengths today – young and tech-savvy population, growing middle class and strategic location.
The National Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the National Digital Transformation Programme (to 2025, oriented toward 2030) and the 2021 National AI Strategy were key foundations. The breakthrough of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation has recently been enshrined in Politburo resolution 57-NQ/TW (December 2024). It sets clear and measurable targets and places science, technology and digital at the heart of national development.
Vietnam will aim to have the digital economy for at least 30% of the GDP by 2030; online public services utilization rate will exceed 80%, and high-tech products will account for more than 50% of exports. The target of total factor productivity (TFP) is to be greater than 55%. By 2045, the digital economy will generate at least 50% of Vietnam’s GDP, with the country ranked as one of the top 30 countries in the world for innovation and digital transformation, and a digital technology industries hub for the region and the world. The state hopes to have more than 10 digital enterprises in the country that meet advanced country standards and to bring in leading global technology companies for research and production.
These goals are not just idealistic, but are supported by institutional commitment. A Central Steering Committee, chaired by the General Secretary, guides the effort through government ensuring coherence and urgency. The strategy is concretized by complementary programs, including the Program for the Development of the Digital Economy and Digital Society (2026–2030), and the Digital Technology Industry development program.
Digital Transformation
Digital transformation in Vietnam has reached a point of being comprehensive; government, the economy, and society. It’s “AI-first,” data-centric and people-first, with a focus on inclusive access, interoperability and cybersecurity.
The National Digital Master Architecture Framework is a “master blueprint” that encourages designs that are cloud-first, modular and open APIs and seamless data data-sharing. The goal for 2030 is to achieve 100% full-process online public services, full digitization of administrative records, and the use of Artificial Intelligence in eligible public services. Training in basic digital skills of millions of citizens and support to hundreds of thousands of SMEs are essential for the development of a digital society.
This means better, more accountable administration in governance. This will increase efficiency, reduce bureaucracy and make citizens’ lives easier through real-time data-driven decision making, automation and AI-driven services. The main goal of e-government development is to get the best ranking on the regional and global level. Cybersecurity and data protection are regarded as a national priority and Vietnam hopes to be a leader in this field.
On an economic level, digitalization provides a motivation to productivity in all sectors. The digital economy program aims to enable at least 500,000 SMEs to make the transition; create data marketplaces; and establish new production processes. Cashless payment and broadband are growing. In industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, finance and retail, the adoption of IoT, big data, blockchain, and cloud computing is transforming the way businesses operate to improve efficiency, cut expenses and innovate.
The private sector, especially the conglomerates such as Vingroup is very important. The joint spirit of state and enterprise is reflected in the proposals for national AI data infrastructure, domestic foundational models, and talent development.
AI: National Intellectual Infrastructure for the 2045 Vision
AI becomes a critical national asset, like power or the Internet. It’s the “cognitive platform” that will drive productivity, governance modernization and leapfrogging in development.
Vietnam’s new AI Strategy (with a draft focused on 2030 goals and 2045 vision) and the enacted AI Law (passed in December 2025 and in force from 2026) demonstrate a well-developed, thoughtful approach. The law takes a risk-based approach; that is, high-risk applications are closely monitored, and low-risk applications are given flexibility. Principles involve transparency, accountability, human-centricity, ethics, safety and sovereignty in addition to global openness.
The ambitious target is to achieve AI’s contribution to GDP at the level of approximately 6% by 2030; the country is looking to move to the top 3 in ASEAN and top 30 in the world in terms of AI readiness; and building “Make in Vietnam” AI products and platforms. Vietnam will become one of the top 10 leading nations in Asia in terms of AI R&D and national transformation by 2045, and will use AI as the main operating tool for State, economy and society.
Investments on infrastructure are significant, including the National AI Supercomputing Centre, sovereign cloud and the National AI Data Warehouse and open data ecosystems. These provide data sovereignty and large-scale training and innovation. A national compute coordination platform will make computing available for all government, research institutions, universities, startups and SMEs.
Development of talent is essential. Strategies include STEM education, international talent, bringing experts from overseas Vietnamese and deep-tech entrepreneurship and building centers of excellence in AI. Academic-industry and academic-government collaborations will speed up the translations of research into implementation.
AI also has applications in healthcare, aiding in diagnostics and personalized medicine. In the agriculture sector it maximizes production and supply chains for a food system that is resilient. Adaptive learning platforms have an impact on education. Smart factories enter into manufacturing. AI is leveraged to predict returns and to engage citizens in public services. AI is used to detect threats in cybersecurity. Ethical AI guidelines guarantee that advantages are available and dangers are controlled.
Sectoral Transformations: Realizing Inclusive Growth
Manufacturing and Industry 4.0: Vietnam’s growing success in electronics, textiles, and assembly is an advantage to be leveraged in higher value activities. The field will be raised to new heights with semiconductors, AI and robotics. The goal of the digital technology industry program is to reach revenue of at least $300 billion by 2030, and show strong export growth.
Agriculture and Rural Development: Digital technologies, drones, sensors, and artificial intelligence analytics can modernize and transform agriculture, enhance traceability, and advance sustainability, which is essential for a country with a large rural population.
Services and Finance: Fintech, e-commerce and digital payments are thriving. The advantages of AI in risk management, fraud prevention, and personalized service.
Education and Human Capital: AI tutors and digital platforms can provide an equal chance at quality education, helping to equip the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow and upskill those impacted by automation.
Healthcare and Social Services: Telemedicine, predictive analytics, and efficient resource allocation will enhance the outcomes in Healthcare and Social Services, particularly in underserved regions.
Smart Cities and Sustainability: AI enables traffic optimization, energy management, waste reduction, and emergency response, contributing to sustainable urban development and livability.
Not only will these changes bring about economic benefits, but they also have the potential to improve social equity, environmental sustainability, and the quality of life.
Path to 2045
Vietnam has a great vision, and challenges must be overcome to achieve success. The need to improve infrastructure in rural areas, address skills gaps, deal with data fragmentation and cybersecurity risks is urgent. The works of institutional coordination, regulatory agility and ethical governance are continuous. Competition from around the world, vulnerabilities in the supply chain, and the rapid rate of change in technology enhance the complexity.
These are addressed through a strategy of sandbox testing of innovative solutions, preferential policies for talent, increased R&D investment and international partnerships. Vietnam can learn from the best practices from around the world through the balanced approach of sovereignty and openness, and strengthen its own capacity. The cooperation between the public and private sector and an innovative culture are created at all levels.
Global Positioning and Collaborative Spirit
Vietnam is not on the journey alone. It is actively involved in international forums, standards and bilateral/multilateral partnerships. Tech giants will help propel it, joint research efforts on AI and engagement in global value chains will speed it up. It is an appealing place to invest because it’s politically stable, business-friendly and youthful.
Vietnam’s efforts in promoting responsible technology governance through ethical AI, data protection, and inclusive growth can be a valuable contribution to the international conversation.
A Vision of Shared Prosperity
The incorporation of AI and digital transformation into Vietnam’s 2045 Strategy represents a visionary leadership and a resilient nation. It is the tale of a nation that would not be left behind, one that would lead if it’s to lead, by innovation, adaptation and a profound sense of caring for their people.
The benefits of development will be enormous once infrastructure is constructed, talents are developed and applications are multiplied, such as increasing productivity, good governance, empowered citizens and sustainable development. The digital economy will not just be a driver of GDP but will also create a sense of creativity, entrepreneurship and social cohesion.
Vietnam is aiming to become a robust, innovative powerhouse by 2045; a country with advanced data capabilities, backed by AI and recognized in the world. It’s not an economic strategy but a humanistic one, technology that is for humanity, culture and common goals.
It requires ongoing effort, inter-sectoral cooperation and a relentless commitment to people. The momentum has been building and Vietnam is off to a strong start towards achieving this inspiring vision. This vibrant country will be watched with reverence as it sets a new course, one that is smart, transformative and sustainable.
Copyright © 2026 by Muhammad Ali Pasha. All rights reserved. Reproduction or distribution of this content, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited.
