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Vietnam’s National Digital Transformation Programme, stretching to 2025 with a vision towards 2030, is aimed at fostering not only a digital government, economy, and society but also cultivating Vietnamese technology enterprises with global reach. Central to this ambitious agenda is the development of a skilled workforce, particularly in digital technology, which plays a pivotal role in driving the success of the nation’s digital transformation initiatives.
Over the past two decades, Vietnam has witnessed remarkable growth in its information and communication technology (ICT) sector. From a modest workforce of around 50,000 in 2000 contributing just 0.5% to GDP, the country now boasts over 1 million ICT professionals, contributing a substantial 14.3% to GDP. However, despite this numerical surge, concerns persist over the quality of the workforce, with only a fraction of graduates meeting the skill demands of employers.
According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam has around 1.5 million ICT workers, with over 160 universities and 500 vocational schools offering ICT training, producing over 84,000 graduates annually. However, a survey by TopDev indicates that only about 30% of these graduates possess the requisite skills and expertise desired by employers, leading to a significant mismatch between industry demands and workforce capabilities.
The challenges are multifaceted, including the need for specialised training in niche fields like digital health, tourism, and agriculture, alongside concerns over declining job opportunities amidst global workforce reductions in the ICT sector. Nevertheless, amidst these challenges lie opportunities, particularly in emerging fields such as data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing, where demand for skilled professionals continues to outstrip supply.
Recognising the urgency of upskilling the workforce to meet evolving market needs, Vietnam is embarking on a transformative journey in ICT education. The focus is on enhancing training quality and relevance, with an emphasis on practical skills and industry collaboration. Initiatives such as the introduction of digital higher education models, with increased industry participation in curriculum development and delivery, are set to redefine the training landscape.
By 2024, five pilot universities are set to implement digital higher education models, featuring curricula co-developed with industry partners, international standards-aligned training programmes, and reduced durations. Additionally, the Ministry of Information and Communications is taking proactive steps to bridge the gap between academia and industry, facilitating industry-led research and development initiatives and fostering closer collaboration between digital technology enterprises and educational institutions.
Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung has reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting universities in this transition, with plans to issue annual reports on digital technology workforce needs, promote digital transformation initiatives, and encourage industry investment in research and development centres at national universities.
In essence, Vietnam’s journey towards digital transformation hinges on the cultivation of a skilled digital workforce. By prioritising training quality, industry collaboration, and alignment with market needs, Vietnam aims to position itself as a global hub for digital innovation, driving economic growth and societal progress in the digital age.
Vietnam’s keenness to drive digital transformation and boost the digital economy is evident in its range of initiatives and programmes to empower technology enterprises. OpenGov Asia reported that Vietnam is launching an initiative to establish IT park clusters and software chains, aiming to bolster its digital competitiveness.
Despite progress, the Ministry of Information and Communications highlights challenges such as inadequate connectivity and collaboration among IT parks. Prioritising capital investment is crucial to attracting resources and realising key strategies, integrating this initiative into national ICT infrastructure and regional socio-economic planning.
