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12/11/2025, 10:00
Dual Transformation: Improving Capacity, Advancing Sustainable Business Growth
Dual transformation, which includes digital transformation and green transformation, has become an important factor enabling enterprises to improve competitiveness and pursue sustainable development. Although the Government’s directions and commitments are clearly defined, gaps and obstacles remain between policy formulation and implementation.
Forum “Dual Transformation - A Driver for Economic Growth: From Policy to Practice” held by VCCI and Business Forum Magazine
At the recent forum “Dual Transformation - A Driver for Economic Growth: From Policy to Practice” held in Hanoi by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Business Forum Magazine, in cooperation with relevant agencies, VCCI Vice President Hoang Quang Phong highlighted that digital and green transformation is advancing rapidly in the manufacturing sector. This progress not only enhances the internal capacity of enterprises but also supports Vietnam in meeting its national commitments to sustainable development and achieving the Net Zero target.
In terms of policy, the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW and Resolution 68-NQ/TW provide clear directions to promote the private sector through innovation, digital transformation, green transformation, and sustainable business practices, aiming to make Vietnam a developed, high-income country by 2045. These resolutions are being implemented through a range of mechanisms and policies that support enterprises.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, applying digital technologies and smart energy management systems can help businesses reduce operating costs by 10-15%, increase productivity by 20%, and lower CO₂ emissions by 5-8% annually. McKinsey & Company also estimated that digital transformation in manufacturing could boost labor productivity by up to 30% and cut supply chain costs by 15-20%.
Nguyen Hong Hien, Director General of the Department of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation under the Central Policy and Strategy Commission, emphasized that the experience of many enterprises shows that growth is truly meaningful only when supported by a sustainable foundation, with dual transformation serving as the key driver.
“Digital and green transformation enable Vietnam not only to accelerate but also to grow more sustainably, targeting double-digit growth driven by productivity, technology, and innovation,” emphasized Hien.
For enterprises, digital transformation is a tool to improve efficiency, reduce costs, expand markets, and enhance customer experience, while green transformation helps save energy, cut emissions, optimize resources, and meet increasingly strict ESG standards in global markets.
According to the OECD report “Digitalization and Green Growth” (2023), adopting digital technologies, particularly IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI), can help businesses reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions by 10-20%, while significantly enhancing productivity and operational efficiency across the value chain. This demonstrates that digital transformation not only drives output growth but also advances green and sustainable growth, two objectives that were once seen as separate but are now mutually reinforcing.
Nguyen Hong Hien said that with advantages in geographic location, rapid digital infrastructure development, a young and adaptable workforce, and strong integration capacity, Vietnam is well positioned to become a regional hub for smart, green, and digital manufacturing. This represents not only an opportunity to strengthen the “Make in Vietnam” brand on the global value map but also a foundation for Vietnam to move forward in new supply chains, where value depends not on low labor costs but on productivity, technology, and environmental responsibility. To optimize resources and make dual transformation a genuine growth driver, he identified four key directions for action.
First, “One infrastructure, two goals”: all essential infrastructure, whether public or private, should support both digitalization and the green transition at the same time. Examples include green data centers, energy-efficient cloud platforms, and ESG management systems that integrate operational data.
Second, “Two-in-one strategy”: every digital transformation project should incorporate green criteria, while every green project should be built on digital technology to enable measurement and effective management.
Third, Hybrid human resources combining digital and green skills: enterprises should develop a workforce proficient in both digital technologies and green production processes. This “dual human capital” is a decisive factor for long-term competitiveness.
Fourth, green finance and innovation: businesses should leverage green credit, innovation funds, and science and technology funds to reduce investment costs and accelerate implementation.
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Communication and model actions are two key factors
Tran Thi Thu Trang, Chairwoman of HANEL PT NextTech JSC and President of the Bac Ninh Industrial Manufacturing Association (BACLINK) To make digital and green transformation, the two pillars of “dual transformation,” real drivers of growth, communication and exemplary actions are essential. The government and local authorities should support pilot enterprises in implementing dual transformation while conducting broad campaigns to demonstrate the benefits of digitalization. This approach helps businesses change their mindset, awareness, and practices from the ground up. Communication should be practical, linked to concrete success stories, to inspire innovation and readiness for change across enterprises of all sizes. Dual transformation, covering both digital and green initiatives, should also become a key criterion for evaluating and recognizing enterprises within the pioneering and “go global” business network. Each enterprise needs its own roadmap and solutions
Nguyen Doan Ket, Vice Chairman and Deputy General Director of Rang Dong Light Source and Vacuum Flask JSC We aim to create a dynamic innovation environment where scientists, experts, and businesses collaborate, particularly by establishing technology exchange platforms that allow small and medium-sized enterprises to easily access, select, and apply new technologies at reasonable costs. It is necessary to enhance access to green financing, enabling businesses to implement environmentally friendly and sustainable projects, thereby producing green products that meet the standards of markets such as the United States and the European Union. Importantly, the government and regulatory agencies must continue to provide a supportive environment for businesses, especially SMEs, to access high-quality talent in digital technologies and artificial intelligence. These elements are critical for driving smart, green, and sustainable economic growth. Institutionalizing and standardizing national ESG standards in alignment with international benchmarks
Pham Bich Hong, Deputy General Director of Garment 10 Corporation As a large, long-established enterprise, the company has faced challenges in accessing capital and green financing. Investment in renewable energy and circular economy projects requires substantial funding, yet green finance remains limited and difficult to obtain, highlighting the need for stronger support. Integrating production systems with logistics and operational management also remains complex. Regarding ESG standards, companies must currently comply with multiple, differing international criteria from global clients, which significantly raises compliance costs. Additionally, the pace of digital and green transformation has outstripped workforce training, resulting in a shortage of skilled personnel for dual transformation. To provide maximum support for enterprises during dual transformation, it is essential to implement green finance mechanisms, including green credit packages with preferential interest rates. At the same time, national ESG standards should be institutionalized and harmonized as fully as possible with international benchmarks to reduce compliance costs and enhance competitiveness. Investment in data infrastructure and workforce training is also critical, along with policies encouraging large enterprises to develop data-sharing initiatives and train high-quality personnel for digital and green transformation. A shift in mindset and business model
Pham Hong Quat, Director General of the National Agency for Startups and Technology Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Science and Technology Dual transformation fundamentally means changing the business model, not merely adopting new technologies. Digital transformation in particular is now moving toward AI transformation, emphasizing foundational technologies and ecosystem-based business models. This shift introduces new challenges for corporate growth models, requiring a change in mindset, perspective, and business model to strengthen internal capacity and meet increasingly intense regional and global competition. People play a decisive role in dual transformation, while technology functions only as a tool. Therefore, before discussing dual transformation at the enterprise level, attention must focus on changes in the mindset and awareness of entrepreneurs. Recent startup fundraising practices show that investors evaluate the vision and capabilities of founders and business leaders before deciding to invest. Dual transformation is an opportunity rather than a challenge for businesses. Vietnamese enterprises are naturally dynamic, adaptable, and creative in finding solutions and applying knowledge to optimize resources. With approaches tailored to their specific industries and development contexts, they can turn dual transformation into a pathway for sustainable and competitive growth. Developing model digital and green transformation roadmaps for SMEs
Mac Quoc Anh, Vice President of Hanoi Small and Medium Enterprise Association It is essential to develop model roadmaps for digital and green transformation specifically for SMEs. Large enterprises that have successfully implemented dual transformation should share their processes with SMEs. At the same time, evaluation and certification systems for digital and green enterprises should be established, allowing consumers to identify products and businesses that have achieved recognized digital and green transformation. The VCCI serves as the main connector, linking SMEs to the network of dual-transformation enterprises to provide them with information and guidance. The government sets strategic goals and priorities over a three- to five-year horizon and delegates local authorities and relevant departments to support enterprises in implementation. Small, incremental transformation steps for SMEs require substantial community support, including short-term training programs, advisory services, and technology transfer from research institutes and universities. Additional support should include the provision of fintech and low-cost digital solutions and enhanced communication programs to raise consumer awareness, thereby motivating SMEs to pursue digital and green transformation. |
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