The Vietnam Government views digital transformation across the broader economy as critical to continued growth and prosperity. Its commitment is expressed in a number of policies, master plans and directives published over the last 30 years that have emphasized on the need to invest in critical infrastructure, build the ICT industry, promote e-commerce, and adopt technology as a means of lifting productivity. Recent policy documents aiming at the building of the digital economy include:

-       Decision No. 1755/QD-TTg (2010) issues theNational strategy on “Transforming Viet Nam into an advanced ICT country”;

-       Decision No.1605/QD-TTg (2010) issues theNational program on IT application in the operations of state agencies during period 2011-2015;

-       Decision No.1819/QD-TTg (2015) issues the National program on IT application in the operations of state agencies during period 2016-2020;

-       Decision No. 392/QD-TTg (2015), which sets targets on information technology development through to 2020 with a vision toward 2025;

-       Decision No. 149/QD-TTg (2016), which sets goals for broadband and telecommunications infrastructure development through to 2020; ;

-       Directive 16/CT-TTg (2017), issued by PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to strengthen progress towards the 4th IndustrialRevolution. The Directive 16 asked all heads of central and local government offices nationwide, from now till 2020, to focus efforts on preparing the human resources and developing the infrastructure needed to implement the 4th Industrial Revolution.

These directives and decisions address the need to dramatically expand Vietnam’s national information infrastructure, strengthen its human resource base (especially IT professionals), and liberalize its legal and regulatory environment to encourage greater foreign investment and in the ICT sector.

Directive No. 16 mentioned a number of crucial solutions concerning the development of IT infrastructure, digital industries, smart agriculture, smart tourism and smart city, and the facilitation of the innovative startup ecosystem. Directive 16 directed theVietnam Government to further support to technological modernization of industry specifically through the following measures:

-       Focusing on developing new digitalinfrastructure and networks

-       Speeding up reform to encourage businesses toadopt new technology– including implementing e-government across government agencies andreviewing related regulation and services.

-       Prioritizing the development of the VietnameseICT industryingovernment policy and reform, and promoting the take-up of smart technologiesacross all industries.

-       Building the innovation eco-systemthrough further fundingfor scientific and research infrastructure and institutions, creatinginternational relationships, and promoting tech start-ups.

-       Building technological skillsthrough a focus on STEMeducation and training from early childhood through to adult education.

-       Raising awareness at all levels, and in allsectors, of the opportunities and challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution, ensuring at all areas ofVietnam’s society and industry are prepared for the changes ahead.

The Vietnamese Government also increasingly put emphasis on creativity and freedom to promote entrepreneurialism and innovation. It has linked increased innovation (including the development of the digital economy) as a driver of economic growth, with increasing creativity and experimentation, and a culture of openness and freedom. In 2016 Vietnam’sMinistry of Planning and the World Bank published Viet Nam 2035: TowardProsperity, Creativity, Equity and Democracy stating: In the long term, countries with more open and inclusive political institutions generate greater room for innovation and personal creativity, thus stimulating productivity improvements and higher standards of living. For Vietnam, finding ways of building more open and accountable political institutions will eventually be essential.

The Government also puts efforts in improving the regulatory framework in order to push digital economy. Multiple agencies are charged with supporting and regulating different aspects of the digital economy in Vietnam, and no single regulation governs all its aspects: the current regulatory framework is a patchwork of commercial regulations and decrees under various ministries. The main agency regulating telecommunications and the ICT industry is the Ministry of Information and Communication.  Many other agencies involved in supporting the digital economy in Vietnam are elaborated in the following table.

Ministries incharge of the development of digital economy in Vietnam