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Firstly, the development of the digital economy contributes positively to
sustainable development by facilitating the integration of information technology and
digital transformation into economic activities. This influence manifests through increased
adoption of digital tools, enhanced resource efficiency, and a reduction in carbon
emissions, supporting greener economic practices. Advancements in digital
transformation and innovation capabilities improve the efficiency of green production,
streamline processes, and promote the optimal use of resources. Emerging technologies,
such as the Internet of Things (IoT), further enable more effective resource management,
improved recycling systems, and decreased environmental pollution. Additionally,
investment in IT infrastructure and digital equipment boosts energy efficiency, thereby
fostering economic growth aligned with environmental protection and sustainability
objectives. These outcomes align with prior research. For instance, Zhang et al. (2025) and
Wang et al. (2023) demonstrate that the digital economy mitigates carbon emissions
through green innovation and economic restructuring. Similarly, Zhao et al. (2022) and Liu
(2023) report that digitalization enhances energy efficiency and supports high-quality
economic growth. Zhang et al. (2024) also emphasize the digital economy’s role in
promoting sustainable consumption and reducing emissions. Collectively, these findings
underscore the digital economy as a key driver of sustainable development.
Second, science and technology expenditure positively influences sustainable
development by facilitating the transition toward a more efficient and environmentally
sustainable growth model. In Vietnam, technology advancement supports the shift from
extensive growth to intensive growth by improving productivity and quality improvement.
The development of modern technologies contributes to improving traditional growth
models toward a green economy consistent with global trends. Simultaneously, the
application of technology, especially digital technologies and digital transformation, helps
improve production efficiency and promote efficient resource adoption, particularly
energy, thereby supporting sustainable development. This finding is consistent with
previous studies. Hu et al. (2025) and Zou et al. (2024) show that investment in science
and technology promotes green innovation and green development. Zhang et al. (2025)
indicate that such spending improves energy efficiency, while Hou et al. (2022) emphasize
its role in enhancing innovation efficiency. At the firm level, Sulimany (2025) finds that
R&D contributes to financial sustainability. In addition, evidence from Vietnam (Mai et al.,
2020) and OECD (2025) confirms that science and technology are key drivers of
sustainable development.
Third, human capital has a negative relationship with sustainable development. This
can be explained by the fact that although the labor force is large, its quality is still limited,
especially with a high proportion of informal workers. This leads to low labor productivity
and limited access to social protection policies. Informal workers often lack training, have
unstable employment, and have limited access to new technologies, which reduces
resource efficiency and hinders the transition toward green growth. Limited access to
training and technology reduces productivity and constrains the transition toward green
growth. In addition, informal economic activities may pose environmental risks due to
weak regulatory compliance. This result is consistent with previous studies. Ahmed et al.
(2023) and Popescu et al. (2023) show that low-quality human capital may increase
environmental pressure and hinder sustainable growth. In contrast, Nguyen et al. (2023)
find that high-quality human capital promotes green innovation and environmental

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