Hanoi (VNA) – Trust is emerging as one of the most valuable assets for businesses navigating the digital economy, as rising expectations from customers, investors and partners place greater emphasis on transparency, accountability and effective risk management.

The issue was at the heart of discussions at the 2026 Women Business Leaders Forum, organised by the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council (VWEC) under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in collaboration with The Asia Foundation.

Speaking at the forum, VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh said that while technology and data can be replicated, trust remains irreplaceable. In an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, he noted, technology may accelerate growth and data may generate competitive advantages, but long-term business success ultimately depends on trust. Women, he added, possess unique strengths in fostering and sustaining that trust.

A series of major policy initiatives is also creating favourable conditions for businesses to accelerate digital transformation. Alongside the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, and Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private-sector development, the Government’s Decision No. 433/QD-TTg approving the 2026–2030 digital transformation programme for small and medium-sized enterprises is expected to provide fresh momentum for the business community.

Under the programme, at least 500,000 SMEs will receive support, including 300,000 enterprises adopting digital technologies, digital platforms and AI applications. The initiative is expected to help businesses, particularly women-led firms, strengthen their competitiveness and capture new opportunities in the digital era.

Tran Thi Man, Business Director of BM Global Service and Trading JSC, said digital trust has become a critical pillar of corporate reputation and brand development. Building digital asset ecosystems and implementing end-to-end digitalisation strategies, she said, require strong confidence from investors, regulators and policymakers.

She described the forum as an important platform for women entrepreneurs to exchange experiences, broaden professional networks and access new market intelligence, investors and business partners across sectors ranging from e-commerce and finance to corporate governance, digital technology and cybersecurity.

Man also called for continued support from the Government, business associations, VCCI and VWEC to help women entrepreneurs turn their business aspirations into reality.

According to her, many small women-led enterprises still need a stronger support framework to confidently embrace digital transformation. A trusted ecosystem, she said, can help female business owners overcome hesitation, adopt new technologies and drive innovation more effectively.

For companies operating in the food and beverage sector, digital trust is increasingly becoming a catalyst for growth. Strong confidence in product quality and transparent digital operations can enhance brand visibility, deepen customer engagement and support long-term expansion.

Meanwhile, Doan Bach Phung, Founder and CEO of Royal Pearl JSC, said women’s strengths in empathy, attention to detail and relationship-building can become powerful assets in the digital economy when combined with strong leadership and adaptability.

She noted that her company prioritises information security and cybersecurity as core elements of customer trust. Combining the human-centred strengths of female leadership with advanced data protection measures can create a distinct competitive advantage, enabling businesses to better meet increasingly demanding customer expectations.

Phung also highlighted the growing challenges posed by cybersecurity threats and evolving data protection regulations. She said businesses need greater support in developing the capabilities required to identify, mitigate and respond to digital risks, enabling them to navigate digital transformation with greater confidence./.