Scientific Conference: "Digital Economy – The New Growth Driver for Ho Chi Minh City"

15 Aug, 2025

On the morning of August 12, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), successfully organized a scientific conference on the theme "Digital Economy – The New Growth Driver for Ho Chi Minh City" at UEH Campus A.

Attending the conference, distinguished guests included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Tuan - Director General of the Department of Digital Economy and Digital Society, Ministry of Science and Technology; Mr. Nguyen Viet Long - Deputy Head of the HCMC Party Committee's Propaganda and Mobilization Commission; Mr. Lam Dinh Thang - Director of the HCMC Department of Science and Technology; Mr. Nguyen Huu Yen - Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Science and Technology; Mr. Nguyen Khac Hoang - Head of Statistics, HCMC Statistics Office; Mr. Pham Thanh Nhan - Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Home Affairs; Ms. Ho Thi Quyen - Deputy Director of the HCMC Investment and Trade Promotion Centre; along with representatives from various Departments, Boards, Sectors, and People's Committees of related districts and wards; scientists and experts in science, technology, digital economy, and digital transformation; representatives from universities and research institutes; representatives from businesses and industry associations; representatives from international organizations; and members of the press and media.

Representing UEH were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the UEH Council; Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao - Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice President of UEH; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of UEH; Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Vice President of UEH; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairwoman of the Strategy and Policy Advisory Council; the Boards of Management of UEH's member colleges; leaders of affiliated units, and UEH scientists and lecturers.

An overview of the conference.

Aiming to shape strategies and solutions for the city's digital economy development in the new era following administrative boundary expansion and toward the goal of becoming a leading regional digital economic hub under Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, the conference "Digital Economy – The New Growth Driver for Ho Chi Minh City" created a prestigious academic forum. It brought together state management agencies, experts, businesses, and related organizations to discuss and propose policies to enhance the digital economy, while affirming the economic role of the "national megacity" in the new growth strategy. This is a crucial step, laying the groundwork for the city to build its Digital Economy Development Strategy for the 2026-2030 period, meeting the development demands of the new landscape.

Mr. Lam Dinh Thang - Director of the HCMC Department of Science and Technology, delivering his speech at the conference.

Digital Economy – The New Growth Driver for Ho Chi Minh City

Following the merger of three localities—Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau—Ho Chi Minh City has officially entered a new development phase with a growth model based on high labor productivity and advanced technology. The digital economy is considered a key "spearhead" in the formulation and implementation of the Party and State's policies and resolutions on science, technology, and digital transformation.

At the conference, seven outstanding topics were presented by experts, including:

+ Overview and Strategic Orientation for HCMC's Digital Economy Development

+ Promoting Digital Transformation for Small and Medium Enterprises - A Breakthrough for HCMC's Digital Economy

+ Developing Shared Infrastructure, Digital Infrastructure, and Smart Logistics & Seaports as Leverage for the Digital Economy

+ Growth Drivers for HCMC's Digital Economy

+ Enhancing Human Resource Quality to Meet the Demands of Digital Economy Development in HCMC

+ International Experiences in Digital Economy Development and Lessons for the New HCMC

+ The Role of the Digital Economy and Digital Transformation in HCMC's Industrial Parks: Creating a Sci-Tech Ecosystem and Digital Infrastructure to Attract Investment,

+ Reduce Labor, Increase Value, and Promote Sustainable Development

Mr. Nguyen Huu Yen - Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Science and Technology, presenting on "Overview and Strategic Orientation for HCMC's Digital Economy Development."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Tuan - Director General of the Department of Digital Economy and Digital Society, Ministry of Science and Technology, presenting on "Promoting Digital Transformation for Small and Medium Enterprises - A Breakthrough for HCMC's Digital Economy."

Mr. Do Duc Trung - Deputy Director of VNPT HCMC, presenting on "Developing Shared Infrastructure, Digital Infrastructure, and Smart Logistics & Seaports as Leverage for the Digital Economy."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam - Dean of the UEH College of Economics, Law and Government, presenting on "Growth Drivers for HCMC's Digital Economy."

Dr. Thai Kim Phung - Vice Dean of the UEH College of Technology and Design, presenting on "Enhancing Human Resource Quality to Meet the Demands of Digital Economy Development in HCMC."

MSc. Pham Nguyen Hoai - from the UEH Institute of Smart City and Management, presenting on "International Experiences in Digital Economy Development and Lessons for the New HCMC."

Mr. Ngo Nhat Nhi - Head of Research and Development at VNPT, presenting on "The Role of the Digital Economy and Digital Transformation in HCMC's Industrial Parks..."

Not only possessing a large potential workforce and a superior economic scale, the city also has a diverse and complementary ecosystem with existing digital infrastructure and institutions. With the "One Space and Three Development Zones" strategy, Ho Chi Minh City plays the role of a "locomotive megacity," serving as an international financial, commercial, science-technology, and innovation hub. Meanwhile, Binh Duong continues to leverage its industrial strengths to become a new-generation industrial center attracting strong foreign direct investment (FDI); Ba Ria - Vung Tau is positioned to become a capital of the maritime economy, logistics, clean energy, and heavy industry linked to seaports and marine tourism.

Panel Discussion: "Proposals from Experts' Perspectives for HCMC's Digital Economy Development"

Despite its advantages in population and having the nation's foremost economic network, Ho Chi Minh City still faces numerous challenges in its new development phase. To address the puzzle of the city's new growth drivers, experts, policymakers, businesses, and related organizations came together to discuss and offer practical insights to perfect the success formula with the digital economy at its core.

During the policy panel discussion "Proposals from Experts' Perspectives for HCMC's Digital Economy Development," experts delved into four core issues: 1) Policies, strategies, and the development framework for the digital economy before and after the merger; 2) Priority sectors for digital economy development: Core focus or diffusion based on spatial and economic development orientation; 3) Methods for measuring, evaluating, and adjusting during the implementation process to achieve set goals; 44) Implementation coordination under the 4P (Public-Private-People-Partnership) model, and the roles of stakeholders in post-merger digital economy development.

An overview of the Panel Discussion.

Many solutions were proposed by delegates and guests to promote HCMC's digital economy, including the development of a specific set of digital economy indicators based on pillars: digital infrastructure, digital enterprises, digital public services, digital human resources, and innovation.

To foster an innovative ecosystem, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam - Dean of the UEH College of Economics, Law and Government, emphasized the role of the Public-Private-People-University partnership (4P) model and the City-University model in ensuring digital infrastructure and open data for private enterprises, alongside a robust legal framework for privacy and cybersecurity.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam discussing at the panel.

Opinions also suggested that the city focus on retaining high-quality human resources and strengthening communication to help the community and businesses clearly see the benefits of digital transformation, especially in remote work capabilities and the development of "Made in Vietnam" technology products.

At the event, the HCMC Department of Science and Technology, the HCMC Statistics Office, and the UEH College of Economics, Law and Government also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to leverage each party's strengths in researching and proposing policies that contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of Ho Chi Minh City.

The HCMC Department of Science and Technology, the HCMC Statistics Office, and the UEH College of Economics, Law and Government signing the MoU.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH, affirmed: "The theme of the digital economy and the spirit of the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW are the strategic focus of Ho Chi Minh City in the new context. It is not only crucial to link the digital economy with the real economy, but digital products must also create added value and bring efficiency to the city's economy. In particular, the 'three-way' or 'four-way' partnership model (university, business, state, community, and international partners) needs to be emphasized and strengthened to mobilize collective intelligence and solve the city's major challenges in the coming time."

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh delivering the closing remarks.

The outcomes of the conference will be compiled into a recommendation report to be sent to the Central Steering Committee for the implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW and the HCMC People's Committee, serving as a scientific and practical basis for policymaking towards building HCMC into a regionally recognized smart and innovative city. The conference marks an effective collaboration between central and local agencies, universities, research institutes, and businesses, forming a "strategic alliance" for digital economy development—a place where knowledge, technology, and policy converge to create momentum for achieving the nation's digital transformation and sustainable development goals.

More photos from the conference: