Trần Huy Bảo Giang, CEO of FPT Digital, participated in a panel discussion at the National Digital Transformation and Enterprise Development Conference, organized by the Vietnam Office Machine Association (VOMA).
Joining the discussion were Dr. Lê Doãn Hợp, Director of the Institute for Technology Application and Digital Transformation and former Minister of Information and Communications of Vietnam; Nguyễn Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI); and Nguyễn Minh Đức, CEO of HP Vietnam and Emerging Asia. Over the course of an hour, the speakers explored how digital transformation (DX) can help businesses manage and operate towards sustainable growth.
Trần Huy Bảo Giang emphasized that while awareness of DX among Vietnamese businesses is high, actual implementation remains slow, with only about 2.2% of companies truly mastering the technology. While Vietnam is still grappling with its digital transformation efforts, global enterprises have already embarked on a “twin transition,” integrating digital transformation with green transformation, which is now considered a top priority. In Vietnam, however, this twin transition faces challenges related to budget, workforce, and technology. Specifically, budget allocations for twin transitions are not yet a priority, and many businesses have not fully assessed their current state or developed a clear transformation strategy. Additionally, most employees are accustomed to traditional work practices, leading to hesitation in adopting changes. Crucially, the majority of these companies still lack the architectural and data infrastructure required for DX.
Giang also noted that the rapid growth of AI, particularly generative AI, is providing significant momentum for digital transformation and fundamentally reshaping the operations of many businesses worldwide. In Vietnam, however, the use of AI remains uneven, largely concentrated in large enterprises with high levels of digitization.
To avoid being left behind in the race for twin transitions—particularly those involving AI—businesses need a structured approach based on three key steps. First, companies must assess their readiness for the twin transition to identify the gap between their current state and future goals. Next, they should develop a clear roadmap toward the twin transition and implement it with the necessary resources in place. Finally, and most critically, is the transformation of people. Businesses can achieve this by fostering a digital culture, raising awareness, and enhancing digital skills through training and internal communication.