As Vietnam accelerates its push toward becoming a regional digital powerhouse, a new idea is emerging among policymakers and analysts: the creation of a Vietnam Digital Economy Readiness Index (VDERI) — a national benchmark designed to measure not just ambition, but real progress.

The proposal comes amid growing recognition that while Vietnam has made strides in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and digital services, there is no single, comprehensive tool to track how ready the country truly is for the next phase of digital growth.

Beyond Infrastructure: Measuring What Matters

Traditional indexes have focused heavily on infrastructure—internet access, mobile penetration, or connectivity. But experts argue that Vietnam’s digital journey now demands a broader lens.

VDERI would aim to capture three critical questions:

• Can Vietnam build a digital economy? (readiness)
• Is it actively doing so? (adoption)
• Is it delivering results? (impact)

By combining these layers, the index would move beyond static rankings and offer a dynamic view of transformation.

Six Pillars of Digital Readiness

At the core of the proposed index is a six-pillar framework designed to reflect the complexity of a modern digital economy.

The first pillar, Digital Infrastructure, would assess the backbone of connectivity—5G rollout, cloud computing capacity, and cybersecurity resilience.

A second pillar, Data and AI Enablement, would focus on how effectively Vietnam is turning data into value, tracking AI adoption, access to computing power, and data governance.

Human capital would form a third pillar. Under Digital Talent, the index would examine workforce skills, education, and the country’s ability to retain high-value tech talent in an increasingly competitive ASEAN market.

The fourth pillar shifts to the private sector. Business Digital Transformation would measure how deeply companies—especially small and medium-sized enterprises—are integrating digital tools into operations.

Meanwhile, Innovation and Investment would assess the strength of Vietnam’s startup ecosystem, venture capital flows, and research output.

Finally, the index would look at outcomes. The Economic and Social Impact pillar would evaluate whether digital transformation is translating into productivity gains, job creation, and broader inclusion.

A Focus on Speed — Not Just Position

One of the most distinctive features of the proposed index is a concept analysts call the “Momentum Score.”

Rather than focusing only on where Vietnam stands today, it would track how fast the country is improving—highlighting rapid reform and acceleration even when baseline rankings remain modest.

“A country can still be ranked sixth in ASEAN but moving twice as fast as its peers,” one analyst noted. “That momentum is what investors and policymakers need to see.”

Bridging the Digital Divide

Another innovation is the inclusion of a “Digital Gap Index,” which would measure disparities within the country—between urban and rural areas, large corporations and SMEs, and domestic firms versus foreign players.

This reflects a growing concern: without inclusive policies, digital growth could widen inequality rather than reduce it.

Real-Time Data for a Real-Time Economy

Unlike traditional annual reports, VDERI could integrate real-time signals, such as:

• Demand for AI and tech jobs
• Startup formation rates
• Online search and media trends

These indicators would provide a more immediate sense of where the digital economy is heading—not just where it has been.

A Strategic Tool, Not Just a Ranking

If implemented, the index could serve multiple stakeholders:

• Government agencies could identify policy gaps and monitor progress toward 2030 targets
• Investors could pinpoint high-growth sectors
• Businesses could assess market readiness and expansion opportunities

Ultimately, proponents argue, VDERI would function less as a scoreboard and more as a decision-making tool—helping Vietnam align strategy, investment, and execution.

The Road Ahead

Vietnam’s digital economy is already one of the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. But as competition intensifies, the challenge is no longer just growth—it is measurable, sustainable, and inclusive progress.

The creation of a Vietnam Digital Economy Readiness Index could mark a crucial step in that direction, offering a clearer answer to a question that matters more than ever:

Not just how fast Vietnam is moving—but how far it can go.