Digital transformation is assessed as the most effective solution to boost connection without direct contact. The business story within the digital transformation era, is no longer about access, but also the prospects, pertaining to the development or lagging of each country. According to statistics from the Department of Informatisation, under the Ministry of Information and Communications, since the strategy “Make in Vietnam” was launched in 2019, 38 technological apps, which were created and operated by Vietnamese people, have been introduced and implemented in several fields. To date, there have been over 58,000 digital enterprises, and the country can achieve the goal of having 100,000 digital enterprises sooner than 2030.
Inevitable trend
FPT is one of the leading enterprises with a digital transformation strategy in key fields, to realise the goal of digitalisation in Vietnam. Due to the impact of the pandemic, FPT has posed many initiatives to remove difficulties for businesses. FPT’s General Director Nguyen Van Khoa said that the technology has helped enterprises fight against the pandemic and make breakthroughs in the new normal. “Therefore, we created ‘technology vaccines’ that not only help to increase the resistance of businesses, but also contribute to their recovery and growth, boosting the development of digital economy and social security”, he added. FPT launched the solution “no-touch eCovax” that helped enterprises make decisions remotely and operate smoothly, amid social distancing and “green fortress eCovax” helping businesses in epidemic-hit areas, maintain their operations.
In addition to large businesses, small business households and enterprises boosted strong application of technology to maintain their operations. Nguyen Thi Minh An said she had returned a shop space on Nguyen Phong Sac street, to sell online.
Before the appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam had 61.3 million smartphone users and became one of the top countries with a large number of smartphone users in the world. By the end of 2021, Vietnam ranked 9th in the world with 63.1 million smartphone users. Notably, people have improved their own technological qualifications to meet the requirements of their work and daily lives. It is a way to adapt to the pandemic and an opportunity to access and promote the values of digital technology.
Looking back at the two years since the outbreak of COVID-19, many localities have stepped up the application of information technology to both fight against the epidemic and adapt to the new normal. According to the digital transformation assessment index of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Da Nang city is one of the leading localities in the rankings, meeting all three pillars of digital transformation, including digital government, digital economy and digital society. The application of information technology has contributed to helping Da Nang control the pandemic. The people, organisations and authorities throughout the city have effectively exploited technological solutions in epidemic prevention and control, contributing to accurate zoning and reducing mistaken isolation on a large scale, while maintaining all social activities. As a result, factories, industrial parks and production units have been almost uninterrupted.
 |
FPT introduces shopping solutions on e-commerce floors. (Photo: Thanh Lam)
To develop digital economy
The development of a digital economy is not only a new trend, but also a new business model that opens up labour opportunities, jobs and income for people, enterprises and nations, contributing to improving their quality of life. Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy dung affirmed that the success in digital transformation was thanks to the changes in awareness, institutions and policies (accounting for 80 percent) and technology (20 percent). Digital transformation is a long journey, so it is necessary to identify the right goals, in order to avoid mistakes in perception.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Binh, from Institute of World Economics and Politics, affirmed that in order to help digital economy develop in Vietnam, first of all, it is crucial to renew leadership thinking and economic management capacity. The biggest barrier to digital transformation is not capital or technology, but the perception of leaders. The application of a digital platform means the transformation of business models and human resources. It is necessary to enhance propaganda to raise public awareness of digital economies, to make the best preparations in adaptation to the development of a digital economy.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Tuan from Vietnam Institute of Economics under Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences said it is essential to build foundations and institutions for digital economy models, including the amendment and supplement of legal regulations, for industries with new business models, such as e-commerce, digital finance and digital banking. Institutional reform aims to attract digital technology investment, in the fields of venture capital, towards creating the most favourable conditions for capital contribution, share purchase and sale and merger of digital enterprises. The laws and legal documents on information technology and communications should be amended and supplemented. Meanwhile, national technical infrastructure will be developed and upgraded to meet the requirements of data connections, storage and processing.
Many information technology experts said in addition to investments in upgrading digital infrastructure, it is essential to focus on the training of human resources towards improving accessibility, creative thinking and adaptability to the constant change of technological environments. It is crucial to regularly review, detect and fix security holes throughout the system. In addition, the international cooperation should be strengthened to create a new driving force for economic growth and recovery. Vietnam needs to take advantage of opportunities from international integration, especially new generation free trade agreements.
