The minister noted that when a policy was issued in the past, monitoring was almost nonexistent and only when problems escalated into major incidents did oversight begin to appear. This approach stemmed from a zero-risk policy-making mindset. Today, however, that mindset has shifted toward risk acceptance and risk-based management.

According to the minister, this new approach is feasible because all management activities and data are being brought into the digital environment. In a digital environment, one person can oversee 100 million people, and one person can monitor the entire country.

“This is achieved by combining with AI, which is often likened to a Buddha with hundreds of hands and thousands of eyes. Moving into the digital environment and applying AI are two prerequisites for shifting toward risk-based management and risk acceptance. Otherwise, we will be overwhelmed. That is why we are introducing the concept of risk-based management. Remember this, that  it is necessary to quickly, quickly bring everything into the digital environment; otherwise, it will be a disaster,” Hung emphasized.

“Runway” for innovation 

The most prominent highlight of 2025 was the unprecedented completion of the institutional framework for science, technology, and digital transformation. For the first time, the National Assembly passed important laws in a synchronized manner, such as the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation; the Law on Digital Transformation; the Law on Artificial Intelligence; and the amended Law on High Technology.

These laws updated emerging technology trends but also reflect a fundamental shift in development thinking, in which innovation, data, and digital technology are placed on par with traditional production factors.

Notably, new regulations have expanded the space for experimentation and creativity through mechanisms for risk acceptance, liability exemptions in research and development, and flexible funding arrangements.

This had long been a major bottleneck preventing many science and technology ideas from leaving the laboratory. Removing these barriers creates conditions for high-risk research, breakthrough technologies, and new business models to develop.

Digital government, economy, and society

The year 2025 also marked an important shift in digital government, as management and governance thinking gradually moved from “digitizing processes” to “data- and AI-driven governance.”

National data platforms have been expanded in scale, enhanced in processing capacity, and interconnected across ministries, sectors, and localities. National digital infrastructure has been restructured toward a modern and flexible model based on cloud computing and new technology standards.

Another highlight was the strong development of trusted digital infrastructure. Digital signatures, electronic identification, and authentication services have been widely adopted, not only in the public sector but also among businesses and citizens.

Many indicators related to end-to-end online public services, electronic transactions, and data utilization exceeded planned targets, demonstrating growing acceptance and use of digital technology across society.

In the digital economy, the Digital Transformation sector continued to play a “midwife” role for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in transforming their business models.

Programs supporting digital transformation, consulting, training, and platform connectivity helped businesses access technology at more reasonable costs, reduce risks, and enhance competitiveness. As a result, the share of the digital economy in GDP continued to increase, approaching established strategic targets.

Key results of digital transformation 

By the end of 2025, 38.2 percent of the adult population owned digital signature certificates, and 66.6 percent used electronic signatures, showing a rapid expansion of digital trust infrastructure. The share of the digital economy in GDP in the first quarter of 2025 was estimated at 18.72 percent, reaffirming its role as a growth driver.

In administrative reform, 51.7 percent of administrative procedure files were resolved through end-to-end process online services, an increase of 12.42 percent compared to 2024, the highest level in the entire period. 1.2 billion transactions were conducted via the National Data Integration and Sharing Platform, exceeding the 2025 plan by 30 percent. 100 percent of administrative procedure systems of ministries, branches, and localities integrated remote digital signature solutions.

In science and technology activities, 2,007 tasks/projects were registered in 2025, a 50 percent increase from 2024; 426 tasks/projects were approved, up 70 percent; and funding for new tasks reached VND738 billion, an increase of 130 percent compared to 2024. Additionally, 49.3 percent of the value of exported goods in 2025 were high-tech goods, and the country now has six established high-tech zones.

Thai Khang