UEH - NEU Joint National Scientific Conference Series: Policy Mechanisms to Promote Innovation and Digital Transformation for Enhancing the Competitiveness of Vietnamese Enterprises

11 Dec, 2025

On December 9, 2025, at the National Economics University (NEU), a scientific seminar was held on the theme "Policy Mechanisms to Promote Innovation and Digital Transformation for Enhancing the Competitiveness of Vietnamese Enterprises." This event was part of the National Scientific Conference Series co-organized by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the National Economics University (NEU), aimed at creating an academic forum to discuss and propose practical recommendations for improving the nation's competitiveness in the new era.

An overview of the scientific seminar

From UEH, attendees included: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao – Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the UEH Council; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong – Chairman of the UEH Development Strategy Council; Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – Chairman of the UEH Science and Training Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of the UEH Alumni Executive Committee; along with representatives from member colleges, departments, and schools.

From NEU, attendees included: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho – Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the NEU Council; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of NEU; Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong – Chairman of the State Council for Professor Title of Economics, former President of NEU; Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat – Chairman of the Scientific and Training Council, former Rector of NEU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha – Chairman of the NEU Advisory Council; and Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Van Hoa – Member of the Central Theoretical Council, former Vice Rector of NEU; along with representatives from member colleges and schools.

Delegates also included Dr. Dang Quoc Chinh – Chairman of the Board, Tran Phu Electric Mechanical JSC; Dr. Luong Minh Huan – Director of the Institute for Enterprise Development, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI); Mr. Nguyen Trung Thuc – Director of the Institute for Business Information, VCCI; Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thang – Head of the E-commerce Department, Enterprise Informatics Institute, VCCI; MSc. Tong Anh Duc – Director of TMGS Vietnam Joint Stock Company; MSc. Bui Tuan Minh – Chief Executive Officer of LPD Premium Product Distribution Company; Mr. Le Huy Thiem – Vice Chairman of VnFund; and a representative from the leadership of Pro Sports Company Limited.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, affirmed: "This seminar is an open forum for scientists and experts to exchange and discuss the current state of technology application and innovation capacity among Vietnamese enterprises, and to identify the systemic barriers hindering the transformation process from both enterprises and related stakeholders. From there, we can propose policies to promote innovation and digital transformation for Vietnamese enterprises in the near future. The seminar also reaffirms the commitment of our two leading economic universities to partner with the Government and the business community in finding solutions to enhance the nation's innovation capacity."

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu delivering his opening remarks

In his introductory speech, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong, Chairman of the UEH Development Strategy Council, emphasized: "This seminar is particularly significant as it contributes to systematizing the theoretical foundations, assessing the current situation, and summarizing local experiences to draw appropriate policy implications. This will help refine the policy system to enhance the innovation capacity of enterprises in Hanoi and Vietnam in the context of digital transformation, contributing to the effective implementation of Resolution 57/NQ-TW and creating new momentum to achieve the goal of double-digit growth in the 2026-2030 period."

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong, Chairman of the UEH Development Strategy Council, delivering his introductory speech

At the seminar, delegates focused on analyzing key issues related to the innovation capacity and digital transformation of Vietnamese enterprises. The presentations clarified the current policy framework and the state of implementation at the enterprise level, while also identifying barriers, challenges, and policy implications for promoting innovation linked with effective and sustainable digital transformation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet, Chairwoman of the UEH Alumni Executive Committee, presenting on "The Policy System to Enhance the Innovation Capacity of Vietnamese Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation: Current Situation and Emerging Issues"

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong from the NEU School of Business Administration presenting on "The Innovation Capacity and Digital Transformation of Vietnamese Enterprises: Barriers and Challenges"

Based on these in-depth presentations, the discussion session focused on clarifying the gap between policy and practical implementation at the enterprise level. It also emphasized the need to build a scientific basis for measuring policy effectiveness and ensuring fairness in accessing support mechanisms, especially financial and investment policies for businesses.

The discussion session, chaired by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong, Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet

The scientific seminar "Policy Mechanisms to Promote Innovation and Digital Transformation for Enhancing the Competitiveness of Vietnamese Enterprises" clarified the gap between policy intent and implementation effectiveness, while also identifying barriers from both the state and enterprise sides. Built on the close cooperation between UEH and NEU, and with the participation of scientists, experts, and business representatives, the seminar not only contributed value to academic research but also supported regulatory agencies and the business community in their efforts to enhance national competitiveness in the new development context.

Delegates took a commemorative photo