VIETNAM’S DIGITAL ECONOMY EXPECTED TO REACH USD 39 BILLION IN 2025

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), Vietnam’s digital economy is projected to reach USD 39 billion in 2025, placing the country among the fastest-growing digital economies in the region.

The information was shared by Mr. Hoang Ninh, Deputy Director General of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (MOIT), at the 2025 Industry and Trade Digital Transformation Forum, held on December 3.

Mr. Hoang Ninh noted that e-commerce continues to be the primary growth driver, with an estimated market size of USD 25 billion, accounting for approximately 10% of total retail sales of goods and consumer services nationwide.

At the same time, digital transformation in industrial manufacturing and smart production has generated positive outcomes. Vietnam’s Industrial Production Index (IIP) recorded an increase of 8.4% in 2025, the highest growth rate in the past five years. According to MOIT, nearly 90% of processing and manufacturing enterprises have implemented at least partial digital solutions; 35% have adopted robotics and sensor technologies; and approximately 10–12% have reached Smart Factory 3.0 standards.

Driven by these developments, MOIT estimates that Vietnam’s digital economy will reach USD 39 billion this year, maintaining one of the strongest growth trajectories in Southeast Asia.

Speaking at the forum, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan emphasized that the digital economy continues to improve in both scale and quality, emerging as a new pillar that enhances productivity, expands market access, and strengthens the overall resilience of the national economy.

From the private sector perspective, Ms. Dang Thuy Trang, Director of External Affairs at Grab Vietnam, highlighted that digital platforms are becoming essential tools in supporting local digital economic development. By offering multi-service ecosystems, these platforms meet daily consumer needs while also accelerating digital transformation in areas such as tourism, cultural heritage promotion, and culinary branding.

However, alongside rapid growth, the digital economy also faces increasing risks related to online fraud and cybersecurity threats. Ms. Nguyen Nhu Quynh, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Anti-Fraud Organization, warned of rising cyberattacks, including email impersonation, falsification of partner information to alter payment terms, and cross-border commercial fraud.

She further noted that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled more sophisticated attack methods, such as voice cloning, deepfake images, and manipulated videos, which directly target individuals—the most vulnerable link in cybersecurity systems.

To mitigate these risks, Ms. Nguyen Nhu Quynh stressed the need for businesses to adopt proactive defense systems, leveraging AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to enhance monitoring and early detection of anomalies. In parallel, she emphasized the importance of strengthening public–private partnerships, data sharing, and collaborative response mechanisms among regulators, enterprises, and cybersecurity organizations.