Digital transition shapes sustainable knowledge-based economy

On November 14, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee held a press conference to announce the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, themed "Green transition in the digital era." The forum aims to create a high-level policy dialogue platform involving the Government of Viet Nam, international organizations, businesses, and the academic community, and to promote public-private partnerships, innovation, and smart economic development.

Dual transition paves the way for Viet Nam to enter new era

Nguyen Loc Ha, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and Head of the Forum’s Organizing Committee, emphasized that Viet Nam is entering a pivotal stage of development, where global competition is no longer based on resources or cheap labor, but on technological ecosystems, innovation capacity, and green, sustainable standards. In this new era, a nation’s strength is measured by its speed in generating knowledge, mastering technology, and transforming knowledge into value. Countries that fail to adapt will be left behind.

According to Nguyen Loc Ha, digital transformation and green transition are not two separate paths, but complementary strategic axes that together create a dual engine for development.

Digital transformation helps optimize operations, enhance transparency, and improve economic efficiency, while green transition ensures growth without compromising the environment and enables Viet Nam to meet new international standards such as green trade, carbon taxes, and ESG.

When implemented in a coordinated manner, these two processes will form a smart economy, where digital technology, innovation, and green standards become natural components of the development strategy.

The Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee emphasized that the current challenge goes beyond merely applying technology or reducing emissions. It requires fundamentally restructuring the growth model shifting from expanding quantity to enhancing quality; from reliance on resources and labor to knowledge and innovation; and from growth through consumption to efficient and sustainable growth.

"With the theme ‘Green transition in the digital era,’ the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 must become a platform that transforms development thinking into practical action at the government, city, and business levels. Ho Chi Minh City needs to demonstrate its ability to implement this dual transition through smart manufacturing models, low-carbon logistics, digital urban services, and new pilot mechanisms," Nguyen Loc Ha stressed, adding that discussion sessions should focus on model design, policy proposals, and scalable components, rather than merely sharing experiences.

The success of the forum will be measured by the quality of commitments and actions following the event. "Let us together aim for a future that is greener, more digital, smarter, more sustainable, and more humane," said the Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.

WEF partners with Viet Nam

Regarding the forum, Le Truong Duy, Director of the HCMC Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (HCMC C4IR) and Deputy Head of the Forum’s Organizing Committee, stated that this year’s forum will be attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, leaders from central ministries, Ho Chi Minh City, and other localities, as well as respected experts, scholars, and policymakers who are directly leading the global green and digital transformation trends.

On the international side, government leaders, ministries, local authorities, and over 500 guests from innovation centers, international organizations, universities, research institutes, and multinational corporations are expected to participate.

According to Le Truong Duy, as the country’s economic engine, Ho Chi Minh City is undergoing a strong shift from traditional industries to high-tech sectors, logistics, finance, and creative services. This year’s forum reflects the city’s vision in action: leveraging technology to enhance productivity and governance capacity while ensuring green development, reducing emissions, and improving citizens’ quality of life, contributing to Ho Chi Minh City becoming a smart city and a leading financial and innovation hub in Southeast Asia.

As of November 13, the forum had confirmed participation from 5 central ministry delegations, 9 international local delegations, 8 international organizations (including WEF, IMF, UNESCO, FAO), 10 global C4IR centers, and 67 business and research delegations from the United States, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and more.

Notably, Stephan Mergenthaler, Managing Director of WEF, will personally attend and co-organize several discussion sessions, demonstrating WEF’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Viet Nam.

In parallel with the forum, Ho Chi Minh City will host the GRECO 2025 Exhibition at Nguyen Hue Walking Street from November 25, showcasing AI solutions, renewable energy, and green manufacturing from major companies and corporations, including Qualcomm, Mitac, Viettel, CMC, Thaco, and international delegations. At Thisky Hall, a technology exhibition area will be designed as an interactive experience, showcasing AI, robotics, big data, smart city solutions, and business support tools for production transformation in line with international standards.

The Autumn Economic Forum 2025, directed by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and organized by the HCMC Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (HCMC C4IR) in coordination with city agencies, international organizations, the World Economic Forum (WEF), and central ministries, will take place from November 25–27 at Thiskyhall (Thu Duc).