From August 21 to 25, National Economics University (NEU) organized the 25th International Conference on Electronic Business (ICEB 2025), in collaboration with the University of Waikato (New Zealand) and co-sponsored by the International Consortium for Electronic Business, the Journal of Business and Management, and the International Journal of Electronic Business.

This was the first time this renowned academic event had been held in Vietnam, bringing together a large number of leading scholars, experts, and researchers in information systems and electronic business from many countries around the world under the theme: “Electronic Business in the Era of Reshaping Information Systems: Opportunities and Challenges.”

An overview of the conference

External delegates attending the conference included Prof. Eldon Y. Li, Honorary President of ICEB and Professor at National Chung Cheng University (Taiwan); Prof. Dr. Andrew N.K. Chen, University of Kansas, Lawrence (United States); and Prof. Dr. Robert M. Davison, City University of Hong Kong.

Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi, Rector of the College of Business; and Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council; along with representatives of the leadership of colleges, departments, faculties, institutes, and centers; faculty and staff; speakers; experts; and scientists from Vietnam and abroad.

The International Conference on Electronic Business (ICEB) is a conference affiliated with the Association of Information Systems (AIS). It is a forum that brings together leading scholars in Electronic Business (EB) from Asia and around the world to present cutting-edge research and exchange insightful academic ideas. The conference is held under the supervision of the Editorial Board of the International Consortium for Electronic Business (ICEB) and is recognized as one of the world’s leading academic conferences in this field.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, delivers welcoming remarks at the conference

According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, we are living in an era of unprecedented transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data, the Internet of Things, drones, electric vehicles, and more.

These technologies are reshaping how we communicate, collaborate, create, and compete, thereby transforming existing business models, enhancing customer experiences, and opening up new opportunities for growth and sustainable development.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi, Rector of the College of Business, NEU, delivers introductory remarks at the conference

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi, Rector of the College of Business, NEU, technological transformation also creates new business models for electronic business enterprises, helping enhance customer experiences, improve operational efficiency, foster innovation, and strengthen business competitiveness.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi emphasized that history shows that the strong rise of nations—from the United States and those in Europe to later-developing countries such as Japan and the Asian “dragons” and “tigers,” including South Korea and Taiwan—has always been rooted in a focus on innovation. Conversely, countries that fail to maintain a consistent focus on innovation are more likely to fall into the middle-income “trap.”

This reality further underscores the importance of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation (Resolution 57), affirming its status as a top strategic policy decision.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi noted that even before the Resolution was issued, businesses—from foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises and state-owned enterprises to private companies—had already been proactively seeking ways to apply science and technology to their operations. Resolution 57 provides an additional powerful impetus to put this process into practice through tangible incentives, such as personal income tax exemptions for income from innovation activities and support for research in basic sciences, even if this entails accepting certain risks. “This helps remove the bottlenecks—the ‘blood clots’ that previously concerned scientists and businesses alike,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi remarked.

Prof. Eldon Y. Li, Honorary President of ICEB and Professor at National Chung Cheng University (Taiwan), exchanges views and shares insights at the conference

Offering an international perspective, Prof. Eldon Y. Li, Honorary President of ICEB and Professor at National Chung Cheng University (Taiwan), said that e-commerce is booming, with its current scale two to three times its pre-pandemic level. In Hong Kong, e-commerce has flourished because consumers are accustomed to shopping online. By that time, Amazon, Alibaba, Taobao, and others had emerged, and this trend has continued to rise over the past 25 years.

Technology is also reshaping the finance and banking sector. Prof. Eldon Y. Li cited bitcoin as an example: from a starting value of just USD 1, it has now risen to more than USD 100 thousand. The finance and banking sector must also adapt or risk falling behind the trends in online transactions and cryptocurrencies.

Prof. Eldon Y. Li also noted that many banks are now accelerating digital transformation, with online transactions helping save time, reduce risks, and protect the environment through “green” transactions.

In China, cash has virtually disappeared as all transactions are conducted through electronic payments using WeChat Pay and Alipay, which were introduced 10 years ago. Even beggars hold out QR codes to receive money. Vietnam is also rapidly catching up with this trend.

Commenting on the establishment of an international financial center in Vietnam, the President of ICEB said that many other countries are also pursuing this goal, including Singapore, China, Malaysia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

“I see very positive prospects in Vietnam, where the economy is growing strongly, rising from a low starting point. Vietnam has great potential to become a financial center, but the key factor is internationalization,” Mr. Eldon Y. Li shared.

Speakers exchange views and share insights at the conference

The conference features many respected international speakers who will share in-depth perspectives and analyses on the conference theme and related issues. It comprises one plenary session and parallel discussion sessions to present the latest findings, research, and practical applications.

ICEB 2025 takes place in a distinctive context, as we live in an era of unprecedented upheaval and innovation driven by the rapid development and convergence of a range of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), big data (Big Data), blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), low Earth orbit satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and electric vehicles. These technologies are changing how we communicate, collaborate, create, and consume, while reshaping the business and social landscape. They also have a profound impact on the application of information and communications technology to business processes and transactions—the very focus of electronic business transformation—helping unlock new business models, enhance customer experiences, optimize operational efficiency, and foster innovation and competitiveness.

However, alongside new opportunities, electronic business also faces many new challenges and risks, such as cybersecurity, data integration, digital ethics, legal regulations, sustainable development, sociopolitical pressures, and AI-enabled fraud such as deepfakes. To adapt and thrive in this dynamic and complex environment, practitioners must continually restructure their information systems and strategies, while academics need to investigate new dimensions from multiple perspectives to harness technology effectively and overcome the accompanying challenges. Collaboration, learning, and the exchange of ideas between scholars and practitioners are therefore essential.

ICEB 2025 is not only an academic event but also an opportunity to connect the research community, businesses, and policymakers to jointly shape the future of electronic business in the era of digital transformation.

Additional photos from the conference:

Article and photos: Department of Communications

News outlets reporting on the conference:

Hanoi Television: 3 p.m. News Program

Economic and Financial News Bulletin

Vietnam Financial Times: The Technological Era Opens Opportunities to Reshape Business and Attract Global Capital

Journal of Economics and Finance: Electronic business in Vietnam: “Golden” opportunities but many risks

Electronic business: Opportunities for breakthroughs through technology and international finance

Tien Phong: Warning of the risk of becoming stuck in the ‘middle-income trap’

GD&TĐ: Shaping the future of electronic business in the era of digital transformation

VTC News: E-commerce is a trend that will last and continue to grow forever

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.