Vietnam aims to establish at least 10 large domestic strategic technology enterprises by 2030 under a freshly-approved plan.
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has signed a decision approving a plan to develop large domestic strategic technology enterprises in the 2026–2030 period, aimed at advancing digital infrastructure, digital human resources, digital data, strategic technologies and cybersecurity.
At least 10 major strategic technology enterprises by 2030
Under Decision No. 1091/QD-TTg, large strategic technology enterprises will be tasked with mastering, developing and commercialising key strategic technologies, while possessing sufficient capacity to undertake national priorities in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, contributing to technological sovereignty.
By 2030, Vietnam aims to establish at least 10 large domestic strategic technology enterprises meeting a range of criteria. Each enterprise must generate annual revenue of at least 1 billion USD, employ more than 5,000 workers with social insurance, maintain at least one science and technology organisation operating under relevant regulations, allocate at least 3% of annual revenue to research and development (R&D), and hold at least one patent granted by one of the world’s five leading intellectual property offices - USPTO, EPO, JPO, KIPO or CNIPA.
These enterprises are expected to play a pivotal role in building a modern, green, interconnected and secure national digital infrastructure capable of supporting Vietnam’s digital transformation, digital economy, digital society and digital sovereignty.
Specific targets include bringing into operation at least six additional international submarine fibre-optic cable routes, including at least one wholly invested by Vietnam, and expanding 5G coverage to 99% of the population.
The plan also seeks to develop and upgrade national digital platforms and shared databases serving ministries, sectors and localities nationwide. At least five large-scale, internationally compliant green data centres are to be established, supporting Vietnam’s ambition to become a regional data hub.
Large strategic technology enterprises will also help build an open, interconnected and secure national data ecosystem, ensuring standardised, responsible data sharing and utilisation. A supervised data market and related services, including data aggregation, analytics and labelling, will be promoted.
The enterprises will contribute to developing a highly skilled digital workforce through cooperation among the State, educational institutions and businesses.
Digital skills training for government agencies, organisations, businesses and citizens will be delivered through online learning platforms using technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Policies will also be introduced to attract domestic and international experts to strategic technology projects.
The plan aims for Vietnamese enterprises to master at least 70% of technologies included in the Government’s strategic technology list. Vietnam also expects to become one of Southeast Asia’s top three countries in AI research, development and application.
At least six AI systems based on Vietnamese data will be developed to address needs in justice, finance, agriculture and environment, culture-sports-tourism, education and healthcare.
Other targets include developing digital twins for selected provinces and cities, covering urban infrastructure, transport, logistics, healthcare, education and environmental management, alongside a national 3D digital map. At least one blockchain platform will be built to support governance and business operations.
The plan also prioritises strengthening proactive national cybersecurity capabilities to protect critical digital infrastructure and personal data. A nationwide information-sharing network linking provincial cybersecurity centres with national centres under the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of National Defence will be developed.
Vietnam also aims to build competitive domestic cybersecurity products and services capable of expanding into international markets.
Supporting innovation and market development
To achieve these goals, the plan outlines solutions focused on improving institutions and policy implementation, deploying national strategic tasks in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, supporting research and market development, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation.
Localities are encouraged to establish regulatory sandboxes in areas such as digital infrastructure, digital data, strategic technologies and cybersecurity, enabling businesses to test new products and services before large-scale deployment.
The plan also calls for mobilising domestic and foreign investment funds to support national science, technology, innovation and digital transformation projects, while encouraging large technology enterprises to share technical standards, processes, data and technologies with small and medium-sized enterprises, research institutes and universities through joint R&D and pilot projects.
Additional support measures include facilitating technology transfer from abroad, strengthening intellectual property protection, leveraging national science and technology funds, and prioritising participating enterprises in investment and trade promotion programmes to expand market access at home and overseas.
The plan further emphasises nationwide digital skills development through online learning platforms using advanced technologies and international training standards./.
