Professor Nguyen Quang Thuan, Member of the Central Theoretical Council and former President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences

The documents from the 14th National Party Congress began to define, in relatively comprehensive terms, the core components of Vietnam’s development model in the new era, from the development context, objectives, perspectives, and operational mechanisms to key tasks and strategic breakthroughs.

In particular, the framework focuses on four key priorities. First, Vietnam’s new development model places people at the center, with national self-reliance serving as the foundation. Science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation are identified as the principal drivers, while sustainable development and improvements in people’s quality of life are regarded as the highest objectives. Notably, economic development must go hand-in-hand with social progress, equity, and comprehensive human development.

At the same time, reforming the development model is framed within both international and domestic contexts. The documents also outline key solutions for refining the new model, particularly through the continued improvement of institutions to support rapid and sustainable development. 

Second, strong advances in science and technology must go hand-in-hand with human development, particularly the cultivation of high-quality human resources. This is regarded as a decisive factor in raising labor productivity, strengthening competitiveness, and enhancing the long-term autonomy of the economy.

Third, infrastructure development continues to be identified as a key component of reforming the growth model. The concept of infrastructure extends beyond traditional socio-economic systems to include infrastructure supporting science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. This will provide an important foundation for creating new growth drivers for the economy.

Fourth, greater emphasis must be placed on the role of businesses, particularly the private sector. In the new development context, effectively leveraging the business community, especially private enterprises, will enable Vietnam to accelerate the application of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in production and business activities, thereby improving competitiveness and generating new growth momentum for the economy. 

Associate Professor Vu Trong Lam, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Review and Director-General and Editor-in-Chief of the National Political Publishing House

In the process of shaping Vietnam’s national development model for the new era, there are two fundamental and decisive issues that require particular attention in determining the country’s long-term development position and competitiveness.

First, Vietnam must fundamentally transform its “national development logic” as the world transitions into a new mode of development. In the 21st century, however, particularly under the impact of AI, big data, digital technologies, and the green economy, the foundations of national competitiveness are shifting rapidly toward knowledge, technology, data, and innovation capacity. This presents Vietnam with a fundamental challenge: moving from a development model based on exploiting existing advantages to one centered on creating new advantages. This represents a qualitative shift in development thinking.

In particular, Vietnam’s strategic task in the coming period is to move decisively from a mindset of “development based on existing resources” to one of “creating new development capabilities.” Under this model, science, technology, and innovation must become the primary engines of growth; data must be recognized as a strategic resource; high-quality human resources must form the core of national competitiveness; and innovative enterprises must become the center of the national development ecosystem.

Second, Vietnam must pursue breakthrough reforms in institutions and national governance capacity amid profound changes in the global development landscape. In particular, three institutional priorities deserve special attention in the coming period: building sufficiently flexible institutions capable of adapting to the rapid pace of change in science, technology, and the digital economy; establishing a data-driven and real-time national governance model to replace fragmented, slow-moving, and procedure-heavy management systems; and creating a coordinated development mechanism between the State, the market, and society, in which businesses serve as the center of innovation while people remain the central actors in development.

Reforming the national development model today is, in essence, not merely about changing the pattern of growth but about reconstructing the entire operational foundation of the country in the digital era. This is not only a development imperative, but also a strategic requirement for Vietnam to realize its ambition of becoming a high-income developed nation by 2045. 

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy Secretary of the Can Tho City Party Committee

Can Tho has identified science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the central drivers for shifting its growth model from extensive to intensive development, with the goal of improving growth quality and enhancing economic competitiveness. Since the beginning of the current term, the city has established a relatively comprehensive political and legal foundation to implement this development orientation in a coordinated and systematic manner.

In terms of its development model, Can Tho is prioritizing rapid and sustainable economic growth based on science and technology; the construction of synchronized infrastructure systems; the development of high-quality human resources; institutional reform; and the promotion of innovation and startup ecosystems.

In recent years, the city has worked to implement the contents of Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW and has gradually developed a science-, technology-, and innovation-driven development model through a series of concrete measures.

First, Can Tho has focused on building and strengthening its innovation ecosystem by expanding cooperation with agencies and institutions to foster stronger links between universities, research institutes, and businesses. This is considered a critical foundation for promoting research, technology transfer, and the commercialization of scientific and technological products.

Second, the city has established a Science, Technology, and Innovation Development Fund to support research, startups, and the development of new technologies.

Third, it has gradually developed “grand challenges” tied to practical development needs, while introducing mechanisms for commissioning and assigning scientific research tasks. This model has begun to deliver positive results by aligning research more closely with local socio-economic development needs.

Fourth, the city is prioritizing high-tech and digital agriculture, in line with the Mekong Delta’s role as Vietnam’s agricultural and agro-processing hub.

Fifth, Can Tho is developing a data center-based growth model and digital operating systems for the Mekong Delta region, helping advance digital transformation in governance, administration, and regional economic development.

Sixth, the city is accelerating the development of an innovation center, with the ambition of becoming a regional hub for innovation.

Seventh, it is gradually establishing concentrated information technology parks and high-tech zones, laying the groundwork for attracting technology enterprises, promoting innovation, and supporting the growth of the digital economy. According to the city, these models have already demonstrated encouraging early results in practice.

In terms of implementation, Can Tho has experimented with multiple approaches while developing a regional-scale innovation and startup center. Initially, the model was largely State-led, then the city later expanded to an innovation-oriented joint stock company model to mobilize additional social resources. At the same time, Can Tho has increasingly entrusted businesses with taking the lead in certain innovation and technology development initiatives. 

Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee

Hai Phong views reforming its development model as more than simply adjusting the economic structure or adding digital transformation programs. At its core, it represents a fundamental shift in development thinking, the organization of the economy, urban governance, and the creation of new growth drivers.

The city has chosen a development model built on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, with people at the center, knowledge and technology as the foundation, innovation as the driving force, modern governance as a competitive advantage, and strategic development spaces as platforms for realizing new growth ambitions. This is not a simple replacement of an old model with a new one, but rather an upgrade of the city’s “operating system” to a higher level.

Hai Phong has identified four strategic pillars for this new model. First, economic restructuring based on high technology. The city is shifting from a mindset of “attracting manufacturing” to one of “building a high-tech industrial ecosystem.” This includes developing green, eco-friendly port-industrial urban areas connected in both the physical and digital worlds. Factories will not only be large-scale but also “smart factories” deeply integrated into global value chains and leveraging advantages in technology, productivity, and innovation.

Second, the digital economy and smart logistics. The digital economy is not merely a technological trend but also a strategic requirement for Hai Phong to maintain and strengthen its international competitiveness. In the digital era, logistics competitiveness depends on the ability to optimize data flows. Accordingly, Hai Phong will prioritize the data economy, smart seaports, the blue economy, and large-scale logistics hubs linked to high-speed rail and aviation networks.

Third, data-driven urban governance. The city aims to be governed through real-time data using digital twins and AI, enabling authorities to conduct smart analysis, make early forecasts, and deliver faster, more accurate, and transparent decisions, thereby gradually transforming urban governance capacity.

Fourth, expanding pilot applications of scientific and technological advances, new technologies, and smart solutions so residents can benefit from higher-quality healthcare, education, and cultural services, while expanding development opportunities, preserving heritage values, and building a globally livable city.

To realize this vision, Hai Phong is focusing on six decisive groups of solutions: institutional breakthroughs; strategic infrastructure development; placing businesses at the center of the new development model; building a substantive innovation ecosystem; ensuring people remain the focus and ultimate beneficiaries of digital transformation; and pursuing sustainable development while preserving and promoting the city’s unique identity. 

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy Secretary of the Lai Chau Provincial Party Committee

There are four key priorities related to the application of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation today.

First, regarding institutions, institutional reform is often implemented through a top-down approach. However, in practice, many applications with the greatest potential to deliver tangible benefits to people tend to emerge from real needs at the grassroots level, or from the bottom up. One effective solution has been the use of controlled pilot models. Yet many localities continue to face challenges due to the lack of sufficiently clear mechanisms to safeguard proactive innovation, particularly in terms of authority, experimentation space, implementation timelines, and regulatory flexibility for localities willing to think boldly, act decisively, and take responsibility.

Second, people are the ultimate beneficiaries of digital transformation, making user experience a critical consideration. Technologies supporting governance, such as monitoring, screening, tracing, evaluation, and forecasting, are all important. However, these alone are insufficient, as many still function mainly as tools for high-level management rather than directly improving productivity and efficiency at the grassroots level.

While data is critically important, user experience may be even more so. At present, many large language models and AI technologies are focused primarily on developing “smart assistants” for government agencies, while insufficient attention is being given to optimizing social resources by supporting the digital economy for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Third, internal knowledge and synchronized, interconnected data systems are essential in applying science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. At the same time, local characteristics and cultural identity must be respected and preserved. This means maximizing citizen satisfaction and benefits without eroding the distinct identity of each locality.

Finally, it is essential to create an environment that encourages and nurtures innovative ideas in the application of new technologies. If society focuses only on fear and hesitates to experiment with and adopt emerging technologies, it will be difficult to achieve breakthrough development. 

Associate Professor Nguyen Ba Chien, Director of the Academy of Public Administration and Governance and Member of the Central Theoretical Council

A country seeking rapid and sustainable development must have a sound philosophy for both its development model and national governance. In this context, philosophy can be understood as a system of core and foundational principles that guide the thinking and actions of stakeholders throughout the development process. In terms of national governance, it refers to the foundational perspectives shaping how a country is organized, governed, and developed over the long term.

Accordingly, three groups of philosophies deserve particular attention. First, the philosophy of development objectives. This group comprises four core elements. The first is a people-centered philosophy, in which citizens are simultaneously the center, the subject, the objective, and the driving force of development. Ultimately, all policies and development models must aim to improve quality of life and create conditions for comprehensive human development. This is followed by a philosophy of comprehensive and inclusive governance, ensuring that no sector is overlooked and no group is left behind in the development process.

At the same time, there is the philosophy of rapid development, aimed at seizing opportunities, strengthening national competitiveness, and narrowing the development gap with advanced economies. Finally, sustainable development must ensure harmony between economic growth, social progress, environmental protection, and long-term human development.

Second, the philosophy of development drivers. The first key driver is knowledge-based development, followed by technology-driven development, innovation-led development, and finally data-driven development.

In particular, technology development plays an especially important role in today’s context. However, knowledge-based governance remains indispensable to ensuring the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of development. Technology can only deliver its full value when supported by a strong foundation of knowledge and appropriate governance capacity.

Third, the philosophy of development content, which includes five key priorities. The State must play a development-enabling role, creating a favorable environment and incentives for economic actors. Institutions must stay ahead of development, paving the way for reform and innovation. The spirit of innovation must be continually sustained to adapt to rapid changes in the global environment. Development should follow an open approach, strengthening domestic and international connectivity and cooperation. The ability to adapt flexibly to global and economic shifts will be essential to ensuring long-term sustainable development. 

Ms. Sinwon Park, Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for Vietnam

Regarding the economic development model, I believe there are three key dimensions that Vietnam should prioritize in the coming period, with the most fundamental being the need to place people at the center of development.

Specifically, economic development policies should not focus solely on growth, but must be closely linked with social policies and social protection systems to ensure that all citizens can benefit from development gains. This is also one of Vietnam’s key challenges today: how to sustain productivity and strengthen economic competitiveness while building an effective, inclusive, and sustainable social protection system.

At the same time, greater efforts are needed to improve people’s access to healthcare, education, and broader development opportunities. This will also serve as an important foundation for achieving long-term sustainable development goals.

Amid today’s rapid transformation, creating sustainable employment opportunities and ensuring gender equality must also be prioritized. Through these efforts, the State can gradually improve social welfare quality while enabling all citizens to participate in and adapt to the ongoing economic transition. At the same time, a more inclusive approach is needed to strengthen the resilience of the workforce against future shocks and emerging challenges.

This will require raising awareness and strengthening workers’ knowledge and skills to ensure fair and sustainable access to new development opportunities. Alongside this, institutions should continue to be improved, accountability among stakeholders enhanced, and conditions created for businesses and workers to proactively engage and adapt to potential disruptions during the development process.

In addition, expanding access to employment opportunities during the current transition is essential, particularly in strengthening social protection systems to shield people from socio-economic risks. Economic development must go hand-in-hand with social and human development. Labor markets should also be expanded through appropriate policies that help workers access new employment opportunities and improve job quality.

In this context, science and technology and AI will play an especially important role in boosting labor productivity, improving workforce quality, and strengthening labor market capacity. At the same time, they will provide a foundation for more effective governance and stronger institutional capacity, helping Vietnam take a more proactive approach as it enters a new era of development. 

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Standing Deputy Secretary of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the An Giang Provincial People’s Council

For many years, the growth model of most localities in Vietnam, including An Giang province, relied primarily on traditional drivers such as land, natural resources, and low-skilled labor. This model has played an important role in promoting economic growth, ensuring national food security, improving living standards, and laying the foundation for regional development over an extended period.

However, in the current development context, these traditional growth drivers are increasingly revealing their limitations. In An Giang, it has become increasingly clear that the old growth model is approaching its limits. Under the province’s 2026 growth scenario, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries are projected to grow by only around 3.5-3.8 per cent, while industry, construction, and services will need to expand by 10-14 per cent to achieve the target of more than 10 per cent gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth.

This highlights a clear reality: traditional growth drivers are no longer sufficient to generate faster economic progress for the locality in the years ahead.

Against this backdrop, An Giang views reforming its local growth model as more than simply adjusting economic indicators; it requires a fundamental transformation in the way growth is generated. This means shifting from a resource-based growth model to one driven by knowledge and data; from extensive to intensive development; from low-cost competition to competition based on technology, governance quality, and productivity; and from growth driven mainly by output to growth based on added value, productivity, and innovation.

Through practical implementation, An Giang has found that without synchronized development in digital infrastructure, logistics, data systems, digital human resources, and sufficiently-strong mechanisms and policies to encourage investment and strengthen regional connectivity, reforming the growth model will be extremely difficult, not only for An Giang but for the entire Mekong Delta region in the years to come.

The province therefore recommends that the central government continue supporting the development of coordinated mechanisms, policies, and investment frameworks to enable localities to effectively implement new growth models suited to the demands of rapid and sustainable development in the next phase. 

Professor Hoang Van Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Economic Association and former Vice Rector of the National Economics University

Reforming Vietnam’s national development model should be conducted around five key components: national governance, economic development, social development, environmental governance, and foreign affairs and national defense.

First, reforming the national governance model. This begins with restructuring the State apparatus and reallocating State power. Vietnam is currently advancing efforts to streamline and clarify institutional structures. However, a key challenge is how to coordinate power and inter-agency collaboration to avoid fragmentation and ensure smooth, effective operations. At the same time, greater decentralization and delegation of authority are needed, together with a more balanced allocation of power in the coming period.

Institutional and legal reform, as well as governance methods, must also evolve. This requires shifting from a management mindset to one centered on development facilitation; from process- and behavior-based management to governance focused on objectives and outcomes; from State intervention to a development-enabling State; and from rigid administration to flexible and adaptive governance. Mechanisms are also needed to encourage officials to adapt to change and foster innovation, while building governance systems grounded in data, digital technologies, and integrated digital ecosystems.

Second, reforming the economic development model. This requires modernizing the socialist-oriented market economy framework, including the roles of economic actors, market-based operating mechanisms, and institutional frameworks for the digital, green, and circular economies. Only through reforming this framework can Vietnam establish an appropriate foundation for a new national growth model.

Third, reforming the socio-cultural development model. This includes transforming education, training, and human resources development, shifting the focus from knowledge acquisition to capability building and creativity. In healthcare, the emphasis should move from treatment-centered systems toward preventive care, alongside stronger coordination between public and private healthcare and accelerated digital transformation. 

Fourth, reforming the environmental governance model. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards may present challenges, but if implemented effectively, they can become powerful tools to enhance competitiveness, deepen integration, attract investment, and transform sustainability criteria into development resources. At the same time, Vietnam should shift from resource extraction toward green resource governance focused on carbon reduction and the circular economy, while increasing technology adoption and climate resilience.

Fifth, reforming foreign affairs and national defense. In foreign policy, Vietnam needs to move beyond a narrow focus on economic gains and investment attraction toward enhancing national standing, strategic capacity, and self-reliance. Investment attraction, international cooperation, and connectivity should always strengthen domestic capabilities and reinforce strategic autonomy. Meanwhile, national defense must also adapt to the realities of deeper international integration and be closely linked with advances in modern science and technology.