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GDP per capita in Vietnam has increased steadily over the years, from
approximately 3,552 USD in 2020 to 5,026 USD in 2025. This period marks a phase of
strong digital transformation in Vietnam. E-commerce, digital payments, smart logistics,
and production automation have contributed to expanding value added. The digital
economy helps broaden markets beyond geographical boundaries. When income rises
without being entirely dependent on resource extraction, it carries significant implications
for sustainable development. Value added increasingly relies on knowledge and
technology, thereby enhancing long-term sustainability. GDP growth during this period
reflects the characteristics of digitization-driven growth.
GDP growth reached 8.54% in 2022 and remained high during 2024–2025 (around
7–8%), reflecting businesses’ rapid adaptation to digital platforms. Production and
business activities were not completely disrupted thanks to e-commerce and remote
working models. The digital economy enhances resilience to shocks, maintains supply
chains through digital platforms, and reduces dependence on traditional business models.
This is a crucial factor for sustainable and resilient economic growth.
Average labor productivity in Vietnam increased from 6,000 USD per worker in 2020
to 9,800 USD in 2025. This improvement has been driven by automation, management
software, integrated accounting information systems, and data analytics. According to the
World Bank, economies that successfully implement digital transformation tend to
achieve productivity growth rates above the global average. Growth driven by technology
rather than resource expansion helps reduce production costs and emissions, while
improving capital and labor efficiency. Rising labor productivity is clear evidence of a shift
from extensive growth to intensive growth.
The proportion of SMEs in Vietnam during the 2020–2025 period remained high,
accounting for approximately 96–98% of total enterprises. In practice, SMEs are flexible
and more adaptable to new technologies. However, they still face limitations in capital
and digital management capacity. Without digital transformation, SMEs struggle to
compete with large enterprises, often lack financial transparency, and face difficulties
accessing capital. Successful digital transformation leads to higher productivity, improved
transparency, and better risk management, thereby contributing to the stability of the
national economic system. Therefore, the digital economy is a key condition for the
sustainable development of the SME sector
Table 3. Sustainable development indicators – social pillar
Proportion of Internet payment Proportion of the
Year HDI digitally skilled transactions population with access to
workers (%) (billion VND) digital financial services (%)
2020 0,753 24,1 22.200.000 68,44
2021 0,752 26,1 11.264.690 66
2022 0,758 26,1 15.933.632 70
2023 0,766 27,6 17.300.462 75
2024 0,766 28,3 22.912.835 77
Forecast 2025 0,766 29,2 24.745.862 87
Source: Compiled from the United Nations Development Programme, the General
Statistics Office, and the State Bank of Vietnam
During the 2020–2025 period, the Human Development Index (HDI) remained
above 0.75, indicating a stable upward trend following the pandemic. The digital economy

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