Experts call for institutional, policy reforms to unlock Vietnam's digital future

For Vietnam to fully tap into the digital future, experts say institutions and policies must be reformed to reflect Government commitments.
Experts call for institutional, policy reforms to unlock Vietnam's digital future ảnh 1VPBank provides QR codes for its services. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - For Vietnam to fully tap into the digital future,experts say institutions and policies must be reformed to reflect Governmentcommitments.

Phung Anh Tuan, executive vice chairman and secretary general at VietnamAssociation of Financial Investors (VAFI), passed the remarks at the FintechRevolution Summit in Hanoi on March 27.

The two-day summit is attended by BFSI experts, fintech leaders, ministry andcentral bank authorities, investors and corporates across Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Government is advocating the development of a digital economyand promoting industrial revolution 4.0, said Tuan.

Many directives have been on promoting non-cash and electronic payments,including Resolution 02, dated January 1, 2019, and Decision 1813, datedOctober 28, 2021.

The policy and law-making process should reflect the Government's commitments,noted Tuan.

The VAFI representative expects some fintech policy changes, includingamendments to some articles and clauses related to payment in prevailing legaldocuments such as the Law on the State Bank of Vietnam, Law on CreditInstitutions, Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and other relevant legaldocuments and decree replacing Decree No 101/2012/ND-CP on non-cash payments.

He also recommended developing mechanisms and policies on national digitalcurrency; designing a pilot mechanism for peer-to-peer lending; developing apilot project (sandbox) for fintech; and developing a pilot project for mobilemoney.

Market trends


Up to 55% of Vietnamese people purchased via online marketplaces, while 93%have at least one banking app installed, said Nagesh Jaladi, VP-MarketplaceSolutions at Crayon Data, at the summit.

About 66% of first-time users shopped online through apps and websites, and 75%plan to splurge this year despite inflation negatively impacting categoriesexcept for groceries and fuel.

However, he added that banks continue to face multiple challenges in organisingand consuming data.

About 71% of banks underperform at collecting and utilising customer data.

Nearly 30% of banks can integrate structured customer data to use in AIinitiatives.

Only 8% of banks can apply predictive insights from their machine-learningmodels to inform campaign execution and decision-making.

For seamless customer experience, building blocks are needed, including data,algorithms, expertise and partnerships, said Jaladi.

Data and AI platforms aim to transform raw data into consumable outcomes. Inaddition, algorithms aim to deepen customer engagement and manage risk.

This will create a relevant, unified digital experience and scalable merchantecosystem.

Vietnamese Government has a programme to get those without a bank to 20% fromits current 50-65%.

Technology is coming in to help, said Peter Marini, VP – Of sales for the APACregion at Crayon Data, a Singapore-based company focusing on leveragingartificial intelligence, to Viet Nam News.

"The fact that also here in Vietnam, mobile penetration is very high, nowit means being able to use mobile banking become much easier for thoseconsumers to move from the unbanked to the banked," said Marini.

Once consumers were starting to get engaged in the banking world, Crayon Datacould bring its technology to help the mobile banking banks build and extendthose services, he added./.
VNA

See more

Toy production at a Hong Kong-invested factory (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam targets deeper market penetration in Hong Kong in 2026

Vietnam-Hong Kong trade hit 62.3 billion USD in the first 11 months of 2025, soaring 73.1% annually. Vietnamese exports to Hong Kong amounted to 36.8 billion USD, a 90.6% hike, ranking fourth among Hong Kong’s import sources, while imports from Hong Kong stood at 25.5 billion USD, up 52.9% and ranking third.

Vietnam’s start-up market enters restructuring phase

Vietnam’s start-up market enters restructuring phase

In 2026, venture capital inflows into Vietnam’s start-up ecosystem are expected to recover gradually, though in a more selective manner. VinVentures forecasts that capital will focus on start-ups that have survived the rigorous screening of 2024–2025, possess clear business models, strong commercialisation capacity, and the ability to generate real cash flows.

Workers process tra (pangasius) for export (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–Singapore trade continues to thrive

For the year as a whole, Vietnam retained its position as Singapore’s 10th largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached a record high of nearly 40 billion SGD, up 26.2% from the previous peak of 31.67 billion SGD recorded in 2024.

Eric Van Vaerenbergh, an energy expert and lecturer at the Brussels Engineering School (ECAM) (Photo: VNA)

Belgian expert optimistic about Vietnam’s economic outlook

Vietnam should move from a growth model based mainly on expanding capital and labour to one driven by productivity improvements. He said that this requires enhancing the quality of the workforce, particularly engineers, technicians, and managers in industrial sectors.

Workers at the VSIP Hai Phong industrial and urban complex, which specialises in producing electronic components for office equipment. (Photo: VNA)

Roadmap aims to improve business climate and boost competitiveness

By the end of 2026, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 50 performers in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, advance at least three places in the International Property Rights Index, and climb at least one position in the Global Innovation Index.

Vietnam is strengthening its position in the technology value chain, becoming a major manufacturing hub for complete consumer electronics products. (Photo: VNA)

ESG standards offer opportunities to reposition Vietnam’s electronics firms

The 2025-2027 period will be a critical turning point, as exporters to the European market will be required to strictly comply with ESG standards, including net-zero emissions roadmaps, labour standards, corporate governance and transparency requirements. As a key export sector, the electronics industry is being directly and strongly affected by this shift.

A production line for camera modules and electronic components at the factory of MCNEX VINA Co. Ltd, a Republic of Korean-invested company in Phuc Son Industrial Park, Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA)

Science, technology, innovation as engines of economic growth

To ensure that science and technology truly act as a powerful growth engine, experts emphasised the need for the Government to put in place supportive mechanisms and policies that encourage enterprises to invest in research and development, while strengthening cooperation among the State, research institutions and the business sector.