Pioneering leadership

Viet Nam’s aviation industry is taking proactive steps to “leapfrog” technological advancement. The Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV) has been a pioneer in digital transformation with the launch of the “paperless airport” initiative through the VNeID application. From December 2025, all passengers at airports managed by ACV will be able to verify their identities via VNeID instead of using traditional documents.

According to Pham Quang Hieu, Deputy Head of the Department of Technology, Environment and Engineering at the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV), this initiative will place Viet Nam on par with advanced nations such as Singapore and the Republic of Korea in building a smart aviation system, enabling passengers to enjoy a seamless travel experience, shortening check-in times, and enhancign enhancing both accuracy and aviation security.

Sharing a similar vision, Dinh Van Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, noted that the carrier has fully digitalised its flight operations — from ticket purchasing and online check-in to post-flight services. Internet services have been introduced on long-haul routes to Europe and the US using wide-body aircraft, allowing passengers to stay connected throughout their journeys. The airline has also adopted big data and AI technologies in forecasting weather and technical risks, ensuring higher safety standards.

Vietnam Airlines has fully digitalised its flight operations — from ticket purchasing and online check-in to post-flight services. Internet services have been introduced on long-haul routes to Europe and the US using wide-body aircraft, allowing passengers to stay connected throughout their journeys. The airline has also adopted big data and AI technologies in forecasting weather and technical risks, ensuring higher safety standards.

Dinh Van Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines.

Continuing the same spirit of innovation, Hoa Phat Group has invested 14 trillion VND in a new high-quality steel production line (producing rails and special-shaped steel) at the Dung Quat Economic Zone in Quang Ngai Province. With an annual capacity of 700,000 tonnes, the facility will serve key national infrastructure projects, particularly the North–South high-speed railway.

The project is expected to be completed and produce its first batch of steel in 2027. As all railway steel used in Viet Nam is currently imported, Hoa Phat’s investment is considered a strategic move demonstrating the long-term vision of a private enterprise.

Tran Dinh Long, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hoa Phat Group, expressed his desire to accelerate the implementation of Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW of the Politburo, dated May 4, 2025, on the development of the private economy. He also proposed that the government promptly address enterprises’ recommendations and respond flexibly to the European Union’s decision to raise steel import tariffs from 25% to 50% in order to protect the domestic steel industry.

The company further proposed that the state prioritise the use of domestic products in investment projects — particularly infrastructure and social housing — through transparent procurement and bidding mechanisms. This would not only support Vietnamese businesses but also put into practice the policy of “Vietnamese people prioritising Vietnamese goods.”

Evaluating the role of entrepreneurs

Today, the enterprise sector has become a major driving force of the economy, contributing about 40% of GDP and generating employment for millions of workers. Large firms such as Viettel, Vingroup, Hoa Phat, and TH Group have expanded globally, leading supply chains and applying Industry 4.0 technologies to create new value.

In addition, the country’s entrepreneurial community is becoming increasingly younger and more dynamic, with a strong start-up spirit spreading widely and contributing to Viet Nam’s rise as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.

However, despite these achievements, there remain shortcomings that prevent Vietnamese enterprises and entrepreneurs from keeping pace with global trends. To Hoai Nam, Standing Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Viet Nam Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, pointed out that 97% of Vietnamese businesses are small or micro in scale, with limitations in competitiveness, operational efficiency, and management skills.

Numerous enterprises have yet to optimise their resources and are still operating with a “short-term business mindset,” lacking a long-term strategic vision, which makes them less adaptable to market fluctuations. Investment in innovation, technology and human resources remains limited, resulting in low labour productivity.

Of particular concern is that a small number of entrepreneurs still demonstrate poor business ethics, weak corporate culture, and insufficient legal compliance or social responsibility — in some cases even violating the law, thereby damaging the reputation of the business community and the national economy.

To overcome these limitations and elevate the new generation of entrepreneurs, the Party and state have issued a series of key resolutions, creating a solid foundation for the business community’s growth. Among them, Resolution No. 41-NQ/TW of the Politburo (dated October 10, 2023) on promoting the role of entrepreneurs in the new era emphasises that developing an entrepreneurial class with sufficient numbers, high quality, strong ethics, business culture, patriotism, and social responsibility must be a central and enduring task.

Similarly, Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP of the government highlights the need to improve financial support policies, workforce training, and innovation incentives for enterprises. The key issue now is to swiftly put the above-mentioned resolutions into practice so that enterprises and entrepreneurs can truly feel tangible and meaningful change.

Therefore, the government, ministries, and local authorities must continue to refine the legal and policy framework to protect the legitimate rights and interests of entrepreneurs and enterprises, creating a fair and competitive business environment. It is also essential to introduce breakthrough support policies enabling major domestic companies to grow into strong economic conglomerates capable of leading value chains in strategic industries, high technology, the digital economy and the green economy.

Alongside state support, entrepreneurs themselves must be fully aware of their role — not only as “captains of business” but also as individuals with a mission to contribute to the nation. With pioneering spirit, creativity and ambition, when every entrepreneur regards their career as part of the nation’s development journey, serving the interests of the country and the people, Viet Nam will gain greater momentum towards deeper integration and sustainable growth in the new era.