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Figure 1: Conceptual Framework of the Study
Source: Developed by the authors
3. Research methodology

This study adopts a qualitative research design to examine the relationship between
financial digitalization and financial inclusion in Vietnam in the era of artificial intelligence
(AI). Given the policy-oriented nature of the research objectives, the study primarily relies
on policy analysis and secondary data synthesis to assess the development of digital
financial systems and their implications for financial inclusion.
The research framework integrates theoretical perspectives on financial
intermediation and technology diffusion with empirical evidence from Vietnam’s digital
financial ecosystem. In particular, the analysis focuses on how digital financial
infrastructure, fintech development, and AI-enabled financial services contribute to
expanding access to formal financial services.
Secondary data were collected from multiple authoritative sources, including
international organizations and Vietnamese regulatory agencies. Key data sources include
publications and statistical reports from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB),
OECD, and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), as well as national policy documents such as
the National Financial Inclusion Strategy to 2025 with a vision to 2030. These sources
provide information on key indicators related to digital financial development and
financial inclusion, including internet penetration, smartphone adoption, digital payment
transactions, fintech ecosystem development, and payment account ownership.
The analytical approach consists of two main components. First, descriptive analysis
is used to examine trends in Vietnam’s digital financial development during the period
2019–2025, focusing on the expansion of digital payment systems, fintech platforms, and

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