On April 2, 2026, the National Economics University hosted the National Scientific Conference themed “Theoretical and Practical Framework for Perfecting the Institutional Framework for National Digital Data Construction and Management.” The conference was co-organized by the National Economics University and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, attracting the participation of numerous scientists, experts, managers, and representatives from agencies and enterprises.

Overview of the Conference

Attending the conference, external delegates included: Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung – Member of the National Assembly, Economic and Financial Committee; Dr. Nguyen Quang Huy – Deputy Director of the General Economic Department, Central Party Policy Strategy Committee; Dr. To Hong Nam – Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Information, Ministry of Education and Training; Dr. Nguyen Huu Xuyen – Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy, Science, Technology and Innovation, Academy of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology; Dr. Nguyen Nhat Linh – Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the Fatherland Front and Central Organizations; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Ngoc Thach – Secretary of the Party Committee of Hanoi University.

From the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong – Chairman of the Development Strategy Council of UEH; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao – Secretary of the University Party Committee, Project Leader; along with project members.

From the National Economics University: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha – Chairman of the Advisory Council; along with representatives of the university’s leadership, departments, faculties, institutes, and centers; and faculty members.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of the National Economics University delivers a speech

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of the National Economics University emphasized: “In the context of extensive digital transformation, digital data is not only a product of management and production processes but has become a strategic resource, an essential foundation of modern governance, and a crucial component of national competitiveness. However, the value of data is only realized when placed within an appropriate institutional framework, ensuring principles of creation, connection, sharing, exploitation, and protection of data effectively.”

According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, the full potential of data can only be realized when placed within an appropriate institutional framework, with clear principles throughout the entire data lifecycle – from creation, collection, standardization, connection, sharing to exploitation, protection, and use. For Vietnam, the current requirement is not only to expand digital infrastructure or increase data scale, but more importantly, to gradually perfect the institutional framework for national digital data construction and management in a synchronized, modern, transparent, safe, and efficient manner.

Notably, the Vice Director of the National Economics University also emphasized that the core issue of data governance lies not only in technology but also in institutional mindset, organizational execution capacity, and the coordination mechanism among relevant stakeholders. At the same time, it is essential to ensure a balance between the requirements for development, data exploitation, and the protection of security, information safety, and the legitimate rights of the participants.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao – Party Secretary of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Project Leader, delivered a speech

The conference is a key activity under the national-level science and technology project “Improving the Institutional Framework for Building and Managing National Digital Data to Drive Rapid and Sustainable Development in the New Conditions.” The content of the conference focuses on three main issues: clarifying the theoretical basis for building and managing national digital data; researching international experiences and suitable institutional models; and assessing the current situation, identifying bottlenecks, and proposing solutions to improve the institutional framework in Vietnam.

At the conference, the presentations focused on analyzing international experiences in building and operating data institutions, thereby suggesting models and approaches suitable for Vietnam’s development conditions. The discussions also emphasized the importance of improving the institutional framework towards synchronization and modernization, while enhancing execution capacity, strengthening inter-sectoral coordination, and developing high-quality human resources in the field of digital data.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Quoc Dung – Faculty of Planning & Development, National Economics University, presented the paper: Data Governance as a Growth Institution: Theoretical Basis and Lessons for Vietnam

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Minh Hoang – Head of the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, National Economics University, presented the paper: Digital Data as the “New Means of Production”: Improving Institutions to Unlock Economic Value

Dr. Le Viet Thuy – Director of the IT Application Center, National Economics University, presented the paper: National Database on Education: Global Experiences and Lessons for Vietnam

Based on the presentations, the discussion session was lively with many exchanges, clarifying the need to shift the mindset from data management to data governance as a strategic resource. The delegates proposed building a transparent legal framework to ensure the connectivity and data sharing capability among agencies and organizations, while focusing on balancing data exploitation for development with the requirements of ensuring security, safety, and privacy.

The conference is evaluated as a scientific forum of practical significance, contributing to the connection between academic research and practical management and policy-making. The results of the exchanges and discussions at the conference are expected to make a significant contribution to the process of improving the institutional framework for building and managing national digital data, laying the foundation for rapid and sustainable development in the upcoming period.

Some images from the conference:

Article and photos: Communications Department