Vietnam’s digital future takes center stage at GSMA Summit in Hanoi

Held against the backdrop of Vietnam’s rapid digital transformation, the summit focused on safeguarding the country’s digital future through trust-building, inclusive growth, and smarter regulation.

Vietnam on the digital fast track

Given its remarkable growth in mobile-led services, Vietnam could soon become a leading digital nation in Asia Pacific, powered by high smartphone penetration, strong connectivity, and supportive policies.

The government’s National Digital Transformation Program to 2025, with a vision toward 2030, aims to position the country among the world’s top 30 digital nations, with bold goals including nationwide 5G and fibre access, the development of over 100,000 digital technology businesses, and a workforce of 1.5 million people skilled in digital technologies.

Vietnam is also a global leader in IPv6 adoption, with over 55 percent of users connected via the newer protocol -- a sign of strong digital infrastructure readiness.

Emerging technologies such as AI, 5G, and GSMA Open Gateway are reshaping industries, improving public services, and narrowing the urban-rural digital divide.

Yet alongside this progress, a surge in digital scams threatens to undermine public confidence and limit the transformative potential of mobile innovation.

According to recent findings, while 74 percent of Vietnamese consumers now use e-wallets, 89 percent fear account hacking, and 95 percent are concerned about the misuse of their personal data online.

“Vietnam stands at a defining moment in its digital journey,” said Julian Gorman, head of Asia Pacific at GSMA.

“On one hand, high mobile adoption and a flourishing e-wallet market are unlocking incredible opportunities for economic growth and financial inclusion. On the other hand, rising scams and identity threats are putting consumer trust at risk," said Gorman.

“This summit brings industry and government leaders together to take meaningful actions, from smarter regulation to innovative fraud solutions, so that Vietnam’s digital future remains secure, inclusive, and built on trust."

Through the event, practical measures were put forward to combat digital fraud, including real-time transaction verification, multi-factor authentication, Silent OTP solutions, and closer collaboration between mobile operators, banks, and fintech players.

At the summit, participants were set to discuss solutions to the threat of SIM-swap fraud, a concern for 78 percent of Vietnamese consumers, well above the regional average.

Push for cooperation

A dedicated session focused on the broader ‘scam economy’ challenge, highlighting how unchecked fraud could stall adoption of digital services and erode the foundations of the digital ecosystem.

Speakers emphasized the need for coordinated action on consumer protection, from enhanced fraud monitoring to public education campaigns.

Viettel, one of Vietnam’s leading mobile network operators, has strongly championed the development of 5G use cases, which made up nearly a third of the main stage agenda at the summit.

From smart manufacturing and precision farming to enhanced public services, these real-world applications of 5G are beginning to deliver tangible societal and economic benefits, reflecting the rapid rise of Vietnam as a regional 5G leader and reinforcing the country’s commitment to innovation-led growth.

Despite Vietnam’s strong digital uptake, challenges persist around digital literacy and connectivity to remote communities.

Attendees stressed the importance of public-private partnerships to expand mobile coverage, improve digital skills, and support a regulatory environment that promotes both innovation and safety.

The topic of trust was also a key point of discussion at the summit.

Whether enabling e-wallets, protecting data, or delivering public services, the success of Vietnam’s digital transformation depends on maintaining consumer confidence.

Stakeholders called for cross-sector collaboration to create a secure and user-friendly digital environment, rooted in transparency and resilience.

The GSMA also announced the renaming of the APAC Fintech Forum to the ASEAN Fintech Forum, sharpening the focus of regional collaboration on combating scams and fraud within ASEAN, and tackling the export of scam and fraud from the region.

The first ASEAN Fintech Forum Roundtable was held alongside the summit, bringing together fintech, telco and regulatory leaders to explore joint solutions to shared threats and unlock new growth opportunities.

The GSMA Digital Summit continues to serve as a platform for dialogue, action, and innovation.

By spotlighting Vietnam’s progress and priorities, and grounding conversations in the latest research and regional data, the summit helps chart a path toward a trusted, inclusive digital future.

The GSMA is a global organization unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop, and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change.