Vietnam’s New Chapter Towards Digital Independence

As Vietnam commemorates its 80 years of national independence, the strategic imperative for the next decade isn’t merely economic or industrial development, but also about cultivating digital independence. This involves accelerating homegrown digital innovation, reinforcing sovereign infrastructure, and shaping legal ecosystems that enable the country to stand resilient in an increasingly turbulent global tech landscape.

Overcoming decades of growth, Vietnam’s digital landscape has undergone a continuous expansion, marking an impressive journey that has granted it a significant position on the global stage. From a nation with a nearly zero base of technology infrastructure in the 1990s, then slowly entering the global markets through gaining recognition as a rising destination of IT outsourcing for foreign businesses, this journey has turned into valuable lessons, gathering into impactful insights that fuel Vietnam’s readiness for self-reliance, digital independence – One of the critical catalysts for the nation’s economic growth in the next chapter. 

Digital Independence As A Vital Agenda 

Vietnam’s journey in technology has been long and transformative. From the early phases of development, when dependency on foreign platforms and hardware was nearly absolute, the country has progressively built a foundation rooted in experience and determination. For decades, growth came largely through integration into global IT supply chains, assembly & manufacturing. 

As the entire economy has continued to expand in recent years, it has become increasingly important to consider self-reliance as a new agenda to enhance the nation’s competitiveness in the global market. Recognizing this, Vietnam’s leadership introduced Resolution 57, issued by the Politburo in December 2024, as a bold strategic shift. This resolution underscores science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation as the country’s primary drivers of development. It sparked a new wave of investment, research and development, transitioning many companies from simply using existing technology to actively mastering it.

Continuing the effectiveness of Resolution 57, Vietnam remarks on another crucial momentum. In June 2025, the National Assembly passed the Law on Digital Technology Industry, making Vietnam to become the first country in the world to enact a standalone law specifically dedicated to the digital technology industry. The law, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, is expected to promote national digital transformation process, paving the way for domestic tech enterprises to grow sustainably, integrate deeply into the global market, and contribute to establishing a new position for Vietnam on the world stage, while increasing the proportion of domestically produced technology products. 

Vietnam’s digital economy today, with over 73,788 digital technology companies, contributes approximately 786 trillion VND (approximately $29 billion) to the country’s GDP, making it a key driver of digital independence. With a clear direction, direct strategy, and movement, Vietnam is taking proactive steps towards becoming a hub of innovation, creativity & high-tech orientation. 

Early Momentum of Digital Independence

While Vietnam has been pushing towards tech independence through active policies & strategies in recent years, the movement has been gradually underway for years. With relentless effort & resilient spirit towards continuous learning, experimenting & adopting the current of global innovation, Vietnamese tech communities, from large enterprises to firms, experts and passionate students, have proactively made the most of their knowledge & resources to develop authentic tech solutions, fostering an essential pathway for the country towards a digital independence journey. Notable highlights include: 

Movement In Local Semiconductor Manufacturing 

In May 2025, CT Semiconductor, a subsidiary of CT Group, began the second phase of construction on what is set to become Vietnam’s first semiconductor chip factory fully owned by a domestic company. The facility is being developed at CT Group High-Tech Development Centre in Thuan An town. Covering 30,000 sqm, the factory will focus on outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) of semiconductor chips. It is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a target capacity of 100 million chips per year by 2027.

After the beginning of factory construction, CT Group remarked on new momentum with the introduction of the first-ever chip developed by Vietnamese engineers, integrated with CMOS and III/V semiconductor technologies, and intended for applications in sectors such as UAVs, smart devices, and telecommunications.

This momentum marks a crucial milestone in Vietnam’s progression journey towards independence in high-tech sectors, highlighting the capabilities to raise competitiveness in the global digital map. 

Self-reliance In Digital Infrastructure 

Over the past years, Vietnam’s digital enterprises have made significant milestones in developing integrated components of digital infrastructure. Among many industries, telecommunications is one of the most notable sectors observing this movement. 

In 2023, Viettel, Vietnam’s leading telecommunications group, announced the successful development of Vietnam’s first 5G Digital Front-End (DFE) chip, entirely designed by its own engineers. This highly complex chip, which can process 1 trillion calculations per second, serves as the core of the 5G ecosystem, handling algorithm processing, 5G RRU (Radio Receiving Unit) operations, and high-speed communication with other network components. 

Not just large enterprises like Viettel, the surge of Vietnamese companies towards self-developed tech products & solutions has risen significantly in the past few years. With the popularity of emerging technologies, including AI, IoT, and Cloud, Vietnamese companies have been steadfast in staying ahead of the curve, transforming trends into practical, realistic applications. Back in 2021, there were only about 60 AI startups operating in Vietnam. In 2024, that number has jumped to roughly 300, for a remarkable 4.5-fold increase in just three years. This surge places Vietnam second in Southeast Asia in terms of the number of AI startups. As the startup landscape expands, a growing number of “Made in Vietnam” AI solutions are making their way into real-world applications, spanning healthcare, education, manufacturing, agriculture, and beyond.

As a Global IT Service Provider, NTQ is proud to be a part of this journey, highlighting our contribution to innovation through introducing a wide range of products & services that offer practical value to the needs of diverse core industries. NxUniverse – A comprehensive AI Ecosystem, is one of the most notable examples. 

Designed with high-quality data input and a detailed understanding of different tasks, NxUniverse not only contributes to widespread AI Applications across NTQ but also helps to tune organizational productivity by up to 30%, significantly reducing workflow latency & operating expenses. Notable of NxUniverse’s applications, including IT Development (NxDev), Smart Factory (NxFactory), and Knowledge Management (NxKMS).

Since its launch in 2024, the ecosystem has achieved significant momentum in global markets, adopted by leading enterprises in numerous countries (e.g., Japan, Korea, EU) and has been recognized as one of the outstanding solutions at the “Make In Vietnam” awards. 

A Promising Outlook

Digital transformation isn’t merely a policy—it’s the engine of Vietnam’s next economic chapter. The framing of Resolution 57, the establishment of a steering committee targeting a digital economy comprising 30% of GDP by 2030 and 50% by 2045, and the alignment of all levels of government to digital-first governance demonstrate strategic commitment 

Vietnam today stands at a juncture. The infrastructural foundation is evolving, institutions are reforming, and both public and private sectors are aligning around autonomy. The FDI climate, along with domestic champions, creates a dynamic ecosystem. In this context, the nation is poised not just to enter but to lead the era of digital independence.

NTQ’s commitment remains unwavering. As a specialized provider in digital solutions, AI, IoT, and global development platforms, NTQ pledges to stand by Vietnam’s long-term journey toward digital independence. We align our innovations not only with domestic needs but with global standards, ensuring that every platform, service, and product we provide strengthens sovereignty, resists dependency, and empowers Vietnamese innovation.

Conclusion

Vietnam’s path from outsourcing destination to sovereign tech innovator is clear. After decades of steady progress, the stage is set: institutions are reforming, policies like Resolution 57 enable autonomy, and companies are rising to meet the moment.

As the nation marches into the next decade, digital independence is no longer optional, but an essential driver to boost the national economy. For Vietnam to thrive as a high-income, innovation-led economy by 2045, technological autonomy must become the new normal.

NTQ is more than a partner. We are a strategic ally, committed to harnessing AI, IoT, and digital platforms for national prosperity. Together, we uphold Vietnam’s sovereignty, transform ambition into legacy, and ensure that the next chapter of independence is fully digital, fully sovereign.