Vietnam Approves Ambitious Digital Economy Programme, Targets 30% GDP Contribution by 2030
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnam has approved an ambitious national programme aimed at accelerating the development of its digital economy and digital society between 2026 and 2030, with a target of increasing the digital economy’s contribution to approximately 30 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the end of the decade.
According to the decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng, the programme seeks to build a dynamic digital economy driven by digital platforms, data and artificial intelligence (AI), while fostering new production models, stimulating innovation-led growth, enhancing labour productivity, and promoting green and sustainable development.
The initiative also aims to establish a modern, secure and inclusive digital society, ensuring that all citizens can access and benefit from advancements in science, technology and digital transformation to improve quality of life and public welfare.
Under the programme, Vietnam plans to support at least 500,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their digital transformation efforts. The country also intends to develop at least five digital technology companies capable of competing with leading firms in advanced economies and establish a minimum of five operational data exchanges.
To strengthen digital financial services, the government has set a target for the value of cashless transactions to reach a level equivalent to 30 times the national GDP. Additionally, enrolment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines is expected to account for 40 per cent of total higher education enrolment by 2030.
As part of its digital society objectives, the programme envisions 100 per cent household access to fibre-optic broadband internet with speeds of up to 1 Gb/s. Fifth-generation (5G) mobile broadband services are expected to provide minimum speeds of 100 Mb/s and extend coverage to 99 per cent of the population.
The government further aims to ensure that all Vietnamese citizens aged 14 and above possess both a national identity card and an electronic identification account by 2030.
Financial inclusion also features prominently in the strategy, with a target of 95 per cent of individuals aged 15 and above holding accounts at banks or other authorised financial institutions. Meanwhile, more than 70 per cent of citizens aged 18 and above are expected to have a digital or electronic signature.
To enhance digital literacy and workforce readiness, the programme seeks to provide basic digital skills training to at least 10 million working-age people during the 2026–2030 period.
The initiative underscores Vietnam’s commitment to harnessing digital technologies as a key driver of economic growth, competitiveness, and sustainable development in the coming years.
