National Scientific Conference titled “Digital Technology Economy, Law, and Policy – A Driver of National Development in Vietnam's Rising Era

Mr. Lâm Đình Thắng – Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology – presented the city’s digital technology policy system and development orientation. He highlighted the "1-4-1" strategy: positioning HCMC as a financial hub; developing four multi-purpose high-tech centers (artificial intelligence, big data, smart cities, and innovation startups); and prioritizing investment in two strategic infrastructures (transport and digital infrastructure). Drawing from local experience, he proposed further improvement of legal and sub-legal documents with a “design for development” approach and called for pioneering localities like HCMC to pilot specific management mechanisms and policies to create real breakthroughs in digital technology, innovation, and the knowledge economy.

Ms. Phạm Thúy Hạnh – Deputy Director General of the Legal Department, Government Office – affirmed the Government’s effort in removing institutional barriers via Decree 88/2025/NĐ-CP, recently issued to guide the implementation of National Assembly Resolution 193. She emphasized the need for a flexible, controlled experimental legal framework, especially in the fast-evolving and complex context of technological advancement. The Government also aims to mobilize and effectively utilize private resources, particularly in research, innovation, and tech entrepreneurship.

Ms. Nguyễn Lan Phương – Head of the Digital Technology Research Program at IPS – presented an analysis of Vietnam’s AI ecosystem and proposed a policy framework for its development and risk governance. The AI ecosystem in Vietnam comprises five main pillars: technical infrastructure, human resources, finance, markets, and policy. Despite Vietnam’s advantages in engineering talent, a rapidly growing market, and an active startup scene, there remain significant gaps in data center infrastructure, cloud computing, AI models, datasets, and related legal frameworks and guidelines. IPS put forward ten policy recommendations, including improved data regulations, high-quality talent attraction via large research grants and investment risk acceptance, public pricing mechanisms for AI products/services using state budgets, and controlled regulatory sandboxes.

Closing the plenary session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đỗ Minh Khôi – CELG, UEH – delivered an in-depth presentation on “Constitutionalism in the Digital Era,” offering a profound academic perspective on how technology is reshaping the relationship between the state, the market, and citizens. According to him, modern constitutionalism is not only the foundation for democratic institutional design but also a doctrine that limits power and safeguards fundamental rights. However, in an era of digital dependency and control, its core principles face unprecedented challenges—especially from private power wielded by global tech giants. He argued for a reconfiguration of the constitutionalization process to keep pace with technological change. This includes revisiting the public-private power divide, setting new accountability standards in the digital environment, and strengthening legal foundations for protecting human rights in cyberspace.

The national scientific conference “Digital Technology Economy, Law, and Policy – A Driver of National Development in Vietnam's Rising Era” underscored the importance of building a synchronized, enabling, and adaptive legal and policy system amid the rapidly unfolding digital transformation. Mr. Nguyễn Quang Đồng, Director of IPS, emphasized that in a world full of uncertainty, high-quality academic forums like this hold special value in shaping policy and contributing to a progressive, equitable, and knowledge-based technological order. Prof. Dr. Sử Đình Thành, President of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, expressed hope that the conference would clarify the constructive role of law and policy in fostering a digital future that is sustainable, innovative, and responsible—contributing to a progressive, inclusive, and human-centered digital society.