[Research Contribution] Enhancing the Effectiveness of Digital Transformation Strategy Implementation in the Public Sector

19 Tháng Ba, 2026

Keywords: Digital transformation, public sector, public value, digital infrastructure, public governance

As Vietnam advances the modernization of public governance and the application of technology to serve its citizens, digital transformation has become an imperative for enhancing the operational efficiency of the state apparatus and contributing to socioeconomic development. However, this process is simultaneously shaped by institutional frameworks, infrastructure, human resources, and the readiness of digital citizens. On this basis, a study by a team of researchers from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) was conducted to systematize the theoretical dimensions of digital transformation effectiveness in the public sector, analyze the current state of implementation in Vietnam, and propose solutions to strengthen the execution of digital transformation strategies in the period ahead.

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Digital Transformation – A New Driver of Modern Public Governance

Digital transformation is reshaping the way both the private and public sectors organize their operations – from enterprise production and business models to the methods by which administrative services are delivered to the public. Numerous international studies have shown that digital transformation carries significance beyond technology; it serves as a lever for improving management effectiveness, enhancing transparency, and creating new public value in the process of serving society. In the context of global competition driven by knowledge and data, leading nations all regard the application of technology, process reengineering, and the building of digital capabilities as a strategic advantage.

For the public sector, digital transformation is driven both by internal pressures within the administrative system and by the increasingly high expectations of citizens. However, digital transformation goes beyond investing in infrastructure or deploying software – it demands synchronized changes in work processes, organizational culture, the capabilities of public officials, leadership engagement, and the support of society as a whole. In many countries, this is a complex process that entails requirements for institutional reform, legal refinement, and the establishment of cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms.

In Vietnam, the political commitment to digital transformation is clearly reflected through a series of important directives. The digital transformation process is guided by Decision 749/QD-TTg approving the National Digital Transformation Program through 2030, Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, and national digital transformation, and Resolution 03-NQ-CP of the Government on the action program for implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW at the local level. However, reports reveal that numerous bottlenecks persist, spanning the legal framework, technological infrastructure, human resources, communication efforts, digital skills enhancement, and governance capacity in the context of rapidly evolving technology.

Against this backdrop, the study was undertaken to address the central question: How can the effectiveness of digital transformation strategy implementation in Vietnam’s public sector be enhanced?

Key Determinants of Digital Transformation Effectiveness

The study synthesizes international theory and practical data from reports by the Ministry of Information and Communications, various ministries, local authorities, and relevant academic sources to construct an in-depth analytical framework on the factors influencing the digital transformation undertaking.

Drawing from these models and theoretical foundations in combination with annual reports, the research team identifies digital transformation in the public sector as a systemic change process – one that demands alignment among strategy, institutions, infrastructure, human resources, and societal responsiveness. At the same time, the study identifies five groups of factors that directly influence the level of digital maturity:

  1. Digital policy and strategy  –  long-term direction, legal frameworks, the degree of synchronization, and adaptability to emerging technologies.
  2. Technological infrastructure  –  connectivity capacity, databases, digital platforms, cloud computing, 5G, and information security.
  3. Digital human resources  –  the digital skills of public officials, deep technological expertise, and mechanisms for training, professional development, and talent attraction.
  4. Digital citizens and digital society  –  the level of access, digital skills, digital behaviors, and public awareness in the use of digital services.
  5. Governance and operations  –  cross-sectoral coordination, data-driven decision-making, measurement criteria, resource allocation, and oversight mechanisms.

This analytical framework enables a comprehensive assessment of the state of digital transformation in Vietnam’s public sector, while pinpointing the core bottlenecks that require priority attention.

A Panoramic View of Digital Transformation in Vietnam’s Public Sector: Achievements and Challenges

Through the study, the research team observes that digital transformation in Vietnam’s public sector is undergoing a powerful shift with many encouraging signs. The digital government system has expanded its operational scale – from document processing and administration to the organization of online meetings – helping to replace nearly one million paper-based records and significantly reducing processing times across levels of government. Data has begun to serve as critical “soft infrastructure,” with the national data integration and sharing platform connecting over 90 agencies and enterprises, processing billions of transactions annually, thereby creating an operations environment driven by data rather than traditional paperwork.

In terms of digital infrastructure, landmark advances such as the expansion of 5G coverage across provinces and cities and the development of key national databases demonstrate sustained efforts in building the technical foundation for national digital transformation. Vietnam has become one of six countries to master 5G technology, opening up the necessary conditions for online public services to operate more stably, swiftly, and consistently.

Human resources and community digital capabilities have also recorded positive developments. The digital training system has reached hundreds of thousands of public officials and tens of millions of citizens; a network of nearly 380,000 members of Community Digital Technology Teams now present across provinces and cities has become a vital bridge helping citizens access technology more quickly and effectively.

Alongside these achievements, the study also identifies a series of systemic challenges. Many localities continue to grapple with bottlenecks in the legal framework, inconsistencies in infrastructure investment, limitations in governance and management capacity for digital transformation programs, as well as significant disparities in digital skills among population groups and a shortage of personnel with deep expertise in fields such as AI, big data, and cybersecurity relative to actual demand. Coordination among ministries and sectors is sometimes ineffective, while criteria for measuring digital transformation outcomes remain insufficiently specific, making the evaluation process difficult to achieve in terms of transparency and consistency.

Key Recommendations for Enhancing Digital Transformation Effectiveness

The effectiveness of digital transformation in the public sector hinges on the harmonious functioning of five core groups of factors: policy  –  technological infrastructure  –  human resources  –  digital citizens  –  governance and operations. The study puts forward recommendations organized around these five groups:

(1) Digital transformation strategy and policy: Central and local agencies need to develop long-term, flexible strategies aligned with socioeconomic development objectives, while reviewing and removing institutional barriers, refining the legal framework, and issuing special mechanisms for investment, procurement, and the application of digital technology.

(2) Technological infrastructure: The study recommends accelerating the development of digital infrastructure, including expanding 5G coverage, upgrading fiber-optic systems, investing in national data centers, establishing legal frameworks for data, open data, and Big Data systems, and promoting digital platforms and the adoption of breakthrough technologies such as AI, IoT, Blockchain, and cloud computing to support more effective decision-making and public service delivery.

(3) Human resources: Emphasis must be placed on training and cultivating digital skills, enhancing the capacity to deploy new technologies among public officials, while strengthening international cooperation and creating a continuous learning environment to keep pace with the rapid speed of technological change.

(4) Digital citizens and digital society: Communication and awareness-building solutions should be deployed using a “ripple effect” approach, starting with simple, practical services that allow citizens to clearly see the value, thereby fostering habits of using online public services and building a widespread digital community.

(5) Governance and operations of digital transformation projects: The study underscores the need to refine cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms, strengthen data interoperability, deploy centralized management platforms, apply AI  –  Big Data  –  IoT in monitoring and forecasting, and ensure information security and data protection throughout the entire implementation process of digital transformation projects.

Authors: Dr. Thai Kim Phung, Dr. Nguyen Van Du  –  University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City

This article is part of the Series on Research Dissemination and Applied Knowledge from UEH, carrying the message “Research Contribution For All”. UEH cordially invites readers to follow the next edition of UEH Research Insights.

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News and Images: Authors, UEH Department of Communications and Partnerships

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