Vietnam’s Digital Economy Reaches New Heights
Vietnam’s digital economy has hit a significant milestone, reaching an impressive valuation of nearly $20 billion in the first half of 2025. This represents a remarkable growth rate of 22.6% over the same period last year, firmly establishing the digital sector as a key driver of the nation’s economic expansion. This robust growth contributed more than $4.28 billion to the national GDP, underscoring the sector’s increasing importance to the overall economic landscape. The growth was broad-based, with the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry playing a particularly key role, as its revenue increased by a healthy 9.4%. Furthermore, even traditional sectors are benefiting from digitalization, with postal services experiencing a healthy 18.7% jump in parcel output, reflecting the widespread adoption of e-commerce and a highly connected consumer base. This comprehensive growth across multiple digital segments demonstrates Vietnam’s successful push towards a modernized, technology-driven economy that is creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike, transforming the way commerce is conducted and services are delivered throughout the country.
A Robust Digital Ecosystem Fueled by Consumer Adoption
The country’s digital progress is not merely measured by financial figures but is also underscored by several key metrics that highlight a rapidly maturing digital ecosystem. Vietnam has made significant strides in improving its digital infrastructure, with mobile network speeds now ranking an impressive 19th globally, a crucial factor for seamless digital connectivity and the operation of a high-speed digital economy. The national data integration platform serves as a backbone for this ecosystem, having recorded an astounding 3.3 billion transactions, a testament to the growing reliance on digital services for everyday activities, from public services to private sector transactions. The country’s consumer market is also demonstrating robust digital engagement. E-commerce revenue, in particular, grew by a strong 21.5% to reach $15.5 billion in the first half of the year, indicating a strong appetite for online shopping. This consumer behavior is further reflected in the mobile gaming market, where downloads are projected to exceed a staggering 10 billion by year-end, solidifying Vietnam’s position as a vibrant digital consumer hub and a major player in the global gaming industry.
Government Policies and Future-Proofing Growth
The government is not merely a bystander to this digital revolution but is actively shaping its trajectory with a clear legal and regulatory framework that supports and directs the transformation. In a recent move in July, a new decree was issued to promote data sharing among various state agencies, a strategic initiative aimed at building a more transparent and efficient digital government. The relevant ministry also introduced new decisions and circulars to establish the necessary infrastructure and policies for a comprehensive digital transformation, enhancing the state’s management of information and telecommunications. This proactive stance is set to continue, with ambitious plans for August to submit four major draft laws to the National Assembly. These laws are designed to address key areas like high technology, technology transfer, intellectual property, and digital transformation, providing a robust legal foundation for future innovation. Furthermore, the government is developing a project to create large-scale domestic technology enterprises, with the overarching goal of building strategic digital infrastructure, cultivating talent, and helping these companies expand their influence globally, ensuring Vietnam’s long-term digital competitiveness.
