Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh set out an agenda for a decisive breakthrough in Vietnam’s digital economy, defining the data economy and artificial intelligence as core, smarter and more sustainable growth pillars for rapid and lasting socio-economic development. Speaking as head of the Government’s Steering Committee on science and technology development, innovation, digital transformation and Project 06, he framed a data-driven, self-reliant artificial intelligence powered digital economy as key to improving the well-being of Vietnamese people and called for a shift from passive administration to proactive development and service-oriented governance.
Chinh acknowledged significant shortcomings that must be addressed urgently. Many tasks under existing programmes remain behind schedule, particularly from 2025. The development and integration of national and sectoral databases have been slow, with 45 databases yet to connect to the National Data Centre and four key databases still incomplete. He warned that digital infrastructure has not kept pace with economic growth potential, while cybersecurity, data safety and data governance mechanisms remain inadequate and high-quality human resources in artificial intelligence, big data and cybersecurity are lacking. Coordination among ministries, sectors and localities was described as in need of improvement, and he urged a move from task-based management to results-based administration measured by tangible outputs and user satisfaction.
Positioning 2026 as the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, Chinh directed ministries, sectors and localities to quickly build detailed programmes and roadmaps aligned with party leadership and relevant steering committees. He called for prompt completion of breakthrough institutions and policy mechanisms in the data economy and artificial intelligence, tasking the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Industry and Trade with urgently drafting and submitting guiding documents for the implementation of the Laws on Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and E-Commerce, and insisted these regulations must be promulgated and take effect in sync with the respective laws to avoid legal gaps. He highlighted the need to establish mechanisms for data valuation and data exchange, accelerate key national databases, operationalise the National Data Centre No. 1, expand nationwide 5G coverage, and ensure no village lacks electricity. A national artificial intelligence human resources development programme must be submitted in April, while at least 3% of annual state budget expenditure must be allocated to digital transformation, as part of a broader push to safeguard cybersecurity, mobilise resources efficiently and deliver a comprehensive digital economy breakthrough.
