Vietnam in global top 50 for digital competitiveness and AI

Detailed summary

Vietnam ranked 37th out of 70 economies, securing a spot in the global top 50 for digital competitiveness and AI in its very first year of inclusion in the 2026 World Digital and AI Competitiveness Ranking (WDAIR 2026).

On November 11, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) held a ceremony to announce the results of ranking, compiled by the International Institute for Management Development of Switzerland.

Vietnam scored 78.09 points, ranking third among six Southeast Asian economies assessed, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Vietnam ranked 13th in AI application, 15th in digital and AI governance, and 21st in efficiency, highlighting its strengths in digital technology and AI application, and in digital governance.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said that science, technology, and innovation are becoming key drivers of growth. Digital transformation is reshaping approaches to management, production, and service delivery, while AI is ushering in new advancements in productivity, knowledge, and creative capacity.

According to the DPM, competition among nations today is no longer primarily based on natural resources, capital, or low-cost labour; instead, it increasingly depends on the ability to master technology, harness data, develop talent, and translate new ideas into practice.

Digital competitiveness and AI are not merely rankings on an assessment scale; rather, they serve as a gauge of an economy’s capacity to seize opportunities, adapt to fluctuations, and forge a competitive edge for development. Nations that innovate rapidly, apply technology effectively, and utilise AI responsibly will gain greater opportunities for a breakthrough. For Vietnam, this represents both a significant opportunity and an urgent necessity.

According to the MST, the result reflects progress in implementing the Political Bureau’s Resolution No.57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation, particularly efforts to develop digital infrastructure, boost digital transformation, apply technology, and reform governance methods.

Resolution No.57-NQ/TW sets the target of placing…

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Opening of the article, excerpted from Vietnam Investment Review. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.