HANOI — November 16, 2025 — Vietnam is taking decisive steps to ensure that its rapid digital transformation benefits every citizen. With the passage of the Law on Digital Technology Industry earlier this year, the government has made artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors central to national development while calling for stronger inclusion policies across all sectors.
The country’s next challenge, experts say, is ensuring that this digital progress translates into equal access — particularly for persons with disabilities and other marginalized communities.
AI And Digital Policy Now Core To Vietnam’s National Strategy
Vietnam’s new legislative framework reflects its ambition to lead Southeast Asia in AI innovation, smart manufacturing, and semiconductor technology. The law aligns with global digital standards while establishing the country as a regional hub for data-driven governance and technological investment.
“The Digital Technology Industry Law signals that Vietnam is serious about its AI future,” said Abdul Rohman, policy analyst and columnist at Viet Nam News. “But inclusion must be built into the foundation, not treated as an afterthought.”
Government texts frequently reference “everyone” and “all citizens,” underlining a formal commitment to equity. Yet policy observers note that uniform treatment does not equal inclusion, as systemic barriers continue to limit participation for vulnerable populations.
Inclusion Gap Remains For Persons With Disabilities
Among 25 national digital policy documents reviewed, only three explicitly reference disability, often grouping it with other vulnerabilities such as age and poverty. Most of these provisions focus on protection, not empowerment — a distinction experts say must change if digital transformation is to be truly inclusive.
“Vietnam’s commitment to accessibility aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD),” Rohman said. “But inclusive design remains optional rather than standard practice.”
Accessibility features on local government websites and apps remain inconsistent. Industry leaders stress that designing for inclusion should be viewed as a strategic investment, not a cost.
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Rethinking AI Governance Through Empowerment
The Law on Digital Technology Industry acknowledges the need to protect vulnerable citizens from potential AI misuse. However, by grouping disabilities with unrelated factors like income or age, it risks oversimplifying distinct challenges faced by different communities.
“Protection alone is not enough,” Rohman emphasized. “Vietnam must move from protection to empowerment, ensuring people with disabilities have the tools, training, and autonomy to participate in the digital economy.”
Analysts recommend introducing targeted digital literacy programs and AI-related skills training for people with disabilities, enabling them to use new technologies confidently and independently.
Governance Model Balances Efficiency With Participation
Vietnam’s centralized governance model allows efficient coordination but can limit public participation in policymaking. While initiatives to collect citizen feedback have increased, experts call for greater transparency and accountability to ensure that digital inclusion policies reflect real community needs.
“Digital governance must not only be efficient — it must be participatory,” said Dr. Nguyen Phuong, a Hanoi-based AI ethics researcher. “People must have a voice in shaping the technologies that govern their lives.”
Promoting Digital Citizenship For Shared Growth
The concept of digital citizenship is gaining traction among educators and policy designers as a framework for empowering individuals to contribute actively to Vietnam’s technology ecosystem. Integrating digital citizenship into AI governance would allow citizens — including those with disabilities — to be co-creators, not just users, of technology.
By embedding inclusion into its AI policies, Vietnam could position itself as a model for equitable digital transformation in Southeast Asia.
Toward An Inclusive and Resilient Digital Economy
As Vietnam continues to build smart cities, expand semiconductor production, and attract global tech investment, policymakers emphasize that equity must guide progress.
“Inclusive AI governance is not optional,” Rohman concluded. “It’s essential for ensuring that technology strengthens society rather than divides it.”
Vietnam’s journey toward a resilient, inclusive digital future demonstrates that technological progress and social responsibility can move forward together — provided inclusivity remains at the heart of national innovation.
