UEH - NEU Joint National Scientific Conference Series: Shaping Policies for the Digital Economy and Enhancing Innovation Capacity in the New Context

04 Dec, 2025

On December 2, 2025, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), in collaboration with the National Economics University (NEU), organized a National Scientific Conference Series aimed at creating an academic forum to discuss and propose practical recommendations for enhancing the nation's competitiveness in the new era. The first conference, themed "Digital Economy Development and Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Economy: International Experience and Lessons for Vietnam," featured numerous in-depth presentations that contributed policy implications for promoting the digital economy and innovation among Vietnamese enterprises.

An overview of the National Conference on "Digital Economy Development and Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Economy: International Experience and Lessons for Vietnam"

The conference is part of the national-level key Science and Technology Programs KX.01.02/21-30 and KX.01.15/21-30, which include the research projects: (1) Refining the Policy System to Enhance the Innovation Capacity of Vietnamese Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation and (2) The Impact of the Digital Economy on the Competitiveness of the Vietnamese Economy up to 2030.

From UEH, attendees included: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao – Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the UEH Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of the UEH Alumni Executive Committee; along with representatives from member colleges, departments, and schools, and researchers from both UEH and NEU.

From NEU, representatives included: Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Van Hoa – Member of the Central Theoretical Council, former Vice Rector; Prof. Dr. Do Thi Hai Ha – Dean of the NEU School of Economics and Public Management; Dr. Trinh Mai Van – Deputy Head of the NEU Department of Scientific Management; Dr. Nguyen Thi Le Thuy - Deputy Dean of the Management Science Faculty, NEU School of Economics and Public Management; Dr. Vu Tri Tuan - Secretary of the NEU Youth Union.

The conference also attracted delegates from central agencies, ministries, research institutes, universities, scientists, and experts from across the country.

In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao emphasized: "The Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, identifies the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as a primary strategic breakthrough and a key driver for modernizing production forces and advancing socio-economic development, averting the risk of lagging behind, and enabling the country to achieve breakthrough development and prosperity in the new era.

This conference is particularly significant as it contributes to systematizing the theoretical foundations and summarizing international and domestic experiences in developing the digital economy and enhancing the innovation capacity of Vietnamese enterprises, thereby creating new momentum to achieve the goal of double-digit growth in the 2026-2030 period. The close collaboration between UEH and NEU is expected to create an effective forum that connects research, practice, and policymaking, promoting the sustainable development of Vietnam's economy."

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao delivering his opening speech

Prof. Dr. Do Thi Hai Ha, Dean of the NEU School of Economics and Public Management, affirmed: "The collaboration between UEH and NEU is not just a convergence of knowledge and vision but also a symbol of inter-regional cooperation for national development. To address strategic challenges, examining leading urban centers like Ho Chi Minh City is crucial, as these are the places where new development models are shaped. The digital economy in Vietnam is not just a trend; it is an imperative for development. Therefore, today's conference is a platform to compare theory with practice, where scientific knowledge meets the economy's need for digital transformation. It will contribute sharp, practical scientific foundations to enhance the innovation capacity of Vietnamese enterprises and strengthen the economy's competitiveness in the new era."

Prof. Dr. Do Thi Hai Ha delivering her introductory remarks

Kicking off the plenary session, Mr. Nguyen Duc Chung, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center, presented on "Developing the Digital Economy to Build Competitiveness for Ho Chi Minh City: Current Situation, Solutions, and Policy Recommendations." His presentation analyzed the state's role in the digital economy and innovation, using HCMC as a case study, and proposed policies to help the city escape the "sub-optimal trap" and achieve a strong breakthrough in the digital economy era.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Chung presenting his paper "Developing the Digital Economy to Build Competitiveness for Ho Chi Minh City: Current Situation, Solutions, and Policy Recommendations"

This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Nguyen Huu Xuyen, Acting Director of the Vietnam Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and Policy (VISTIP), on "The State of Investment in Science, Technology, and Innovation by Vietnamese Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation and Policy Implications." The report analyzed the current investment landscape, affirming that S&T investment is a survival strategy, and proposed institutional breakthroughs, increased financial-tax incentives, applied an "enterprise-led, state-co-funded" model, developing new financial instruments, and promoting the linkage between research institutes, universities, and enterprises to enhance R&D efficiency.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Xuyen presenting his topic "The State of Investment in Science, Technology, and Innovation by Vietnamese Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation and Policy Implications"

Following the plenary session, two parallel sessions were held:

Session 1: Digital Economy Development and Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Economy: International Experience and Lessons for Vietnam.
Session 2: A Study on the Current State of the Policy System and the Innovation Capacity of Vietnamese Enterprises.

In the first session, presentations focused on the relationship between digital economy development and economic competitiveness, highlighting lessons from international experience and the crucial role of the higher education ecosystem.

Dr. Ngo Quoc Dung from NEU School of Economics and Public Management presenting on: "Digital Economy Development and Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Economy: Experience from China and Implications for Vietnam"

Dr. Do Thi Hai Ninh, Director of the Undergraduate Program in Marketing at UEH, presenting on: "The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Digital Economy Development to Enhance National Competitiveness: International Experience and Lessons Applied at UEH"

Delegates engaging in discussion during the first session, chaired by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao and Prof. Dr. Do Thi Hai Ha

The second session focused on the current state of the policy system and the innovation capacity of Vietnamese enterprises in the context of digital transformation, aiming to enhance competitiveness and contribute to the development of Vietnam's digital economy.

Delegates engaging in discussion during the second session, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet and Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Van Hoa

The conference “Developing the Digital Economy and Enhancing Economic Competitiveness: International Experience and Lessons for Vietnam” provided practical policy insights and models for digital economic governance and recommendations for developing enterprise innovation capacity. The presentations contributed an important scientific foundation for policymaking in Vietnam's new development phase and affirmed the strong commitment of UEH and NEU to contributing knowledge and promoting national competitiveness in the digital era.