


































Education, Society and Human Studies 
ISSN 2690-3679 (Print) ISSN 2690-3687 (Online) 

Vol. 5, No. 3, 2024 

www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/eshs 

1 

Original Paper 

Developing Human Resources in the Era of Digital 

Transformation in Vietnam: Current Status and Solutions 

Nguyen Duc Trung
1* 

1 
Trade Union University, Vietnam 

* 
Nguyen Duc Trung, trungnd@dhcd.edu.vn 

 

Received: June 17, 2024           Accepted: June 26, 2024        Online Published: July 14, 2024 

doi:10.22158/eshs.v5n3p1                         URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/eshs.v5n3p1 

 

Abstract 

Digital transformation is becoming an inevitable and powerful trend across all sectors of 

socio-economic life, contributing to the enhancement of business efficiency, government management, 

and the quality of life for the public. High-quality human resources with digital skills and adaptability 

to new technologies are crucial to the success of digital transformation. However, Vietnam is currently 

facing numerous challenges in developing IT human resources. This paper examines the current state of 

human resources in Vietnam’s digital transformation, discusses the solutions that have been and are 

being implemented, and proposes specific steps to develop high-quality human resources. The policies 

and training programs from the government, enterprises, and educational institutions are analyzed and 

evaluated. Finally, the paper provides recommendations on policies and long-term strategies to 

improve the quality and quantity of IT human resources, ensuring that Vietnam can seize opportunities 

from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

Keywords 

digital transformation, IT human resources, digital skills, human resource training, support policies, 

information technology, human resource development, Vietnam 

 

1. Introduction 

Digital transformation is becoming an inevitable trend across all fields of socio-economic life, 

contributing to improved business efficiency, government management, and public life. With the 

proliferation of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of 

Things (IoT), digital transformation not only involves the application of technology to existing 

processes but also requires a comprehensive change in the organization and operation of businesses, 

government agencies, and society. In this context, human resources are the key factor determining the 



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success of digital transformation. [Note 1] 

Developing high-quality human resources with digital skills and the ability to adapt to new 

technologies is a prerequisite for Vietnam to catch up and leverage the opportunities brought by digital 

transformation. However, the current state of human resources in Vietnam faces many challenges. 

Although Vietnam trains about 65,000 IT personnel annually, only 30% of them meet the job 

requirements immediately. Additionally, the shortage of high-quality IT personnel has become a serious 

issue, particularly as various sectors, fields, and localities need this human resource to drive the digital 

transformation process. [Note 2] 

The Vietnamese government has introduced numerous policies and programs to develop human 

resources for digital transformation, such as reducing personal income tax for high-tech personnel and 

training a minimum of 1,000 digital transformation experts. However, these policies are still not strong 

enough to thoroughly address the current challenges. 

The aim of this paper is to explore the current state of human resources in digital transformation in 

Vietnam, discuss the solutions that have been and are being implemented, and propose specific results 

and directions to develop high-quality human resources for digital transformation. The paper hopes to 

contribute to building a sustainable and developed digital economy, propelling Vietnam to thrive in the 

Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

Research Methodology: This paper employs qualitative research methods, including the analysis of 

documents, reports, and studies related to the current state and solutions for developing human 

resources during the digital transformation period. Information is gathered from government reports, 

international organizations, and academic materials. Additionally, in-depth interviews with experts in 

the field of IT and digital transformation are conducted to collect practical information and professional 

opinions. 

 

2. Current Status of Human Resources in Vietnam 

2.1 Quantity and Quality of IT Human Resources 

Digital transformation requires a significant number of highly skilled Information Technology (IT) 

personnel; however, the current state of IT human resources in Vietnam faces numerous challenges. 

Each year, Vietnam trains approximately 65,000 IT personnel, but only 30% of them meet job 

requirements immediately upon graduation. Most graduates lack sufficient skills and practical 

experience to participate in complex digital transformation projects. This situation forces many 

businesses to retrain or supplement the skills of newly hired employees. [Note 3] 

Data from labor market reports indicate that the demand for IT human resources in Vietnam is rapidly 

increasing, particularly in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and information security. 

However, the supply of human resources does not keep pace with demand, leading to a severe shortage. 

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam currently lacks about 400,000 



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IT personnel, and this number is expected to increase if effective solutions for training and developing 

human resources are not implemented. [Note 3] 

2.2 Training Statistics and Job Readiness 

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), approximately 70% of IT graduates in 

Vietnam need additional training before they can participate in real-world projects. Only 30% of 

graduates meet the immediate job requirements of businesses. The primary reason is that the training 

programs at universities have not been updated in line with new technologies and focus insufficiently 

on practical skills. [Note 4] 

Current IT training programs in Vietnam primarily emphasize theory with limited opportunities for 

practical experience and teamwork. Students often lack soft skills such as communication, teamwork, 

and problem-solving. This inadequacy poses difficulties when working in real-world environments, 

especially in digital transformation projects that require high levels of collaboration and creativity. 

2.3 Government Policies to Develop Human Resources 

The Vietnamese government has introduced numerous policies to develop human resources for digital 

transformation. One significant policy is reducing personal income tax for high-tech personnel. This 

policy aims to attract and retain IT experts while encouraging businesses to invest in training and 

developing human resources. 

Additionally, the government has launched a program to train at least 1,000 digital transformation 

experts for various sectors, fields, and localities. This program aims to meet the urgent need for 

high-quality human resources, ensuring that sectors and localities have sufficient personnel to execute 

digital transformation projects. [Note 2] 

 Local programs for training digital transformation experts 

Localities such as Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have implemented various training and coaching 

programs to enhance digital skills for officials and public servants. For example, Da Nang has 

partnered with universities and businesses to organize intensive training courses on digital technology. 

Ho Chi Minh City has also launched numerous digital skills training programs for officials, public 

servants, and enterprise employees to enhance their competitiveness and meet the demands of digital 

transformation. [Note 3] 

These programs typically include courses on programming skills, IT project management, information 

security, and applications of new technologies like AI, big data, and IoT. Additionally, many programs 

focus on soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, helping learners 

effectively apply IT skills in real-world jobs. 

 Challenges and issues 

Shortage of High-Quality IT Human Resources: One of the most significant challenges today is the 

severe shortage of high-quality IT human resources. Although the number of graduates from IT training 

programs increases annually, most of them do not meet labor market requirements. This situation 



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creates substantial pressure on businesses, forcing them to invest heavily in retraining newly recruited 

employees. [Note 4] 

The shortage of high-quality human resources not only hinders businesses from executing digital 

transformation projects but also affects the development of the IT industry and the economy as a whole. 

To address this issue, comprehensive and robust solutions are required, ranging from improving the 

quality of training at universities to promoting continuous training and skill enhancement programs for 

employees. 

 Difficulties in implementing training programs 

The implementation of IT training programs in Vietnam faces several difficulties. First, the training 

programs at many universities are still heavily theoretical, lacking practical elements, and not keeping 

up with new technologies. This inadequacy results in graduates lacking practical skills and failing to 

meet business requirements. 

Second, many businesses are reluctant to invest in training and developing human resources. The 

primary reasons are high training costs and the lack of resources to implement continuous training 

programs. Moreover, many small and medium-sized enterprises struggle to recruit and retain talent due 

to fierce competition with larger companies. [Note 5] 

Third, the shortage of experienced trainers and lecturers is a significant issue. Many university lecturers 

lack practical experience and up-to-date knowledge of new technologies, leading to low training 

quality. 

To overcome these difficulties, close cooperation between universities, businesses, and government 

agencies is needed. Promoting collaborative training programs between businesses and universities can 

enhance training quality and ensure graduates possess the skills required by employers. Additionally, 

policies supporting businesses in investing in training and developing human resources, particularly for 

small and medium-sized enterprises, are essential. [Note 5] 

To continue addressing the challenges and issues in developing IT human resources in Vietnam, 

comprehensive and coordinated measures are required. Below are some recommendations and 

approaches to overcome these difficulties: 

Measures to improve training quality at universities. First, universities need to update their training 

programs to keep pace with the rapid development of technology. This update includes integrating 

courses on new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain into the curriculum. 

Universities should also focus on teaching practical skills through real-world projects and 

collaborations with businesses, providing students with opportunities to gain practical work experience. 

[Note 4] 

Additionally, universities need to strengthen their faculty by inviting industry experts to participate in 

teaching and training. This approach not only improves teaching quality but also helps students access 

the latest knowledge and trends in the IT field. 



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Increasing Investment in Training and Developing Human Resources from Businesses. Businesses need 

to recognize the crucial role of investing in training and developing human resources. This investment 

includes establishing continuous training programs and enhancing employees' skills to help them stay 

updated and master new technologies. Businesses should consider collaborating with universities and 

training organizations to develop specialized training programs that meet their specific needs. 

Utilizing Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is also an effective solution for disseminating digital 

skills to employees. Businesses can encourage employees to participate in online courses to enhance 

their knowledge and skills while minimizing training costs. [Note 3] 

Government support policies. The government must continue implementing supportive policies to 

promote the development of IT human resources. One crucial measure is to create favorable conditions 

for businesses to invest in training and human resource development. This can include reducing 

corporate income tax for expenses related to employee training or providing preferential loans for 

businesses that invest in human resource training. 

Additionally, the government should intensify the implementation of digital transformation expert 

training programs at the local level. This approach not only ensures that localities have enough 

high-quality human resources to execute digital transformation projects but also helps alleviate the 

pressure of human resource shortages in major economic centers like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

[Note 2] 

Enhancing international cooperation. International cooperation is also a key strategy for developing 

high-quality IT human resources. Vietnam can learn from countries that have successfully trained and 

developed IT human resources, as well as collaborate with international organizations to build 

advanced training programs. Student exchange programs, research collaborations, and joint projects 

with foreign universities and enterprises will help improve training quality and provide opportunities 

for Vietnamese students and employees to access the latest technologies. [Note 4] 

Developing high-quality IT human resources is a crucial and urgent task in the context of digital 

transformation. Achieving this requires concerted efforts from multiple parties, including universities, 

businesses, and the government. Comprehensive and coordinated solutions such as improving the 

quality of education, increasing investment in human resource development, and enhancing 

international cooperation will help Vietnam overcome current challenges and build a strong workforce 

capable of meeting the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

 

3. Discussion 

3.1 Solutions for Developing Human Resources in Digital Transformation 

Support policies such as reducing personal income tax for high-tech personnel. The Vietnamese 

government has implemented various support policies to attract and develop high-quality human 

resources, especially in the field of Information Technology (IT). One important measure is reducing 



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personal income tax for high-tech personnel. This policy not only encourages individuals to work in the 

IT sector but also attracts technology experts from other countries to work in Vietnam. This initiative 

contributes to improving the quality of human resources and meeting the increasing demand for highly 

skilled personnel in the context of digital transformation. 

Training programs for digital transformation experts in various sectors and localities. To meet the 

urgent need for high-quality human resources in digital transformation, the Vietnamese government has 

launched a program to train at least 1,000 digital transformation experts for various sectors and 

localities. This program focuses on enhancing the skills and professional knowledge of officials, civil 

servants, and enterprise employees. Intensive training courses on digital technology, artificial 

intelligence, big data, and cybersecurity are regularly organized to ensure that these human resources 

have the necessary competencies to execute digital transformation projects in localities. [Note 6] 

Training and developing digital skills. Urgent need and existing training programs in localities. The 

demand for digitally skilled human resources in Vietnam is increasing, especially in the context of 

global digital transformation. Localities such as Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have implemented 

various training and coaching programs to enhance digital skills for officials and public servants. For 

instance, Da Nang has partnered with universities and businesses to organize intensive training courses 

on digital technology, while Ho Chi Minh City has launched numerous digital skills training programs 

for officials, civil servants, and enterprise employees to enhance their competitiveness and meet the 

demands of digital transformation. 

These programs typically include courses on programming skills, IT project management, information 

security, and applications of new technologies like AI, big data, and IoT. Additionally, many programs 

focus on soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, helping learners 

effectively apply IT skills in real-world jobs. [Note 7] 

Proposing a digital higher education model and adding new majors. To meet the demand for 

high-quality human resources in digital transformation, there needs to be innovation in the higher 

education model. One proposal is to establish a digital higher education model, combining online and 

traditional learning, enabling students to access courses and learning materials from anywhere. 

Universities need to add new majors related to digital technology, such as artificial intelligence, big 

data, blockchain, and cybersecurity, to the curriculum. This will not only improve the quality of 

education but also ensure that graduates have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet labor market 

demands. 

Applying technology and digital platforms in training. Using massive open online courses (MOOCs) to 

disseminate digital skills. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are an effective solution for 

disseminating digital skills to the workforce. MOOCs provide online courses in various fields, from 

basic to advanced levels, helping learners enhance their knowledge and skills flexibly and 

cost-effectively. The government and educational organizations should encourage employees and 



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students to participate in MOOCs to improve their proficiency and meet the requirements of digital 

transformation. [Note 8] 

For example, platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer thousands of courses on digital 

technology, big data, artificial intelligence, and many other fields. Businesses can also use MOOCs to 

train employees, helping them update their knowledge and skills, thus improving work efficiency and 

contributing to the digital transformation of enterprises. 

Using chatbots and digital platforms to support training and human resource management. Chatbots 

and digital platforms are increasingly being applied in training and human resource management. 

Chatbots, integrated with artificial intelligence and natural language processing, can provide 24/7 

support to employees, answering queries and guiding work processes quickly and accurately. This not 

only saves time and costs but also improves work efficiency and employee satisfaction. [Note 8] 

Additionally, digital platforms such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) and other online training 

tools are used to manage the training and development process. These platforms help track learning 

progress, evaluate learning outcomes, and provide rich learning materials, thus supporting the learning 

and skill development of employees effectively. 

Developing human resources in the era of digital transformation is a crucial and urgent task. Solutions 

such as improving the quality of education, increasing investment in human resource development, and 

applying digital technology in training will help Vietnam overcome current challenges and build a 

strong workforce capable of meeting the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The government, 

universities, and businesses need to work closely together to implement these solutions, ensuring 

high-quality IT human resources that contribute to promoting digital transformation and sustainable 

socio-economic development. 

 

4. Results 

4.1 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Solutions 

The policies and programs implemented in Vietnam to develop human resources for digital 

transformation have shown positive initial results. Reducing personal income tax for high-tech 

personnel has attracted and retained many IT experts, improving the quality of human resources in this 

sector. Training programs for at least 1,000 digital transformation experts have enhanced the skills and 

knowledge of many officials, civil servants, and enterprise employees. 

Localities like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have effectively implemented digital skills training and 

coaching programs, enhancing competitiveness and meeting digital transformation demands. Courses 

on programming, IT project management, information security, and new technologies like AI, big data, 

and IoT have improved both practical and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and 

problem-solving. 

However, challenges remain, including a severe shortage of high-quality IT personnel, training 



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programs at many universities that are too theoretical and lack practical experience, and insufficient 

investment in human resource development from businesses. 

4.2 Proposing Next Steps 

Recommendations for long-term policies and strategies: 

Improving training programs at universities: Update curricula to include new technologies like AI, big 

data, blockchain, and cybersecurity. Emphasize practical skills through real-world projects and business 

collaborations. 

Increasing investment in training and development: Businesses should establish continuous training 

programs and collaborate with universities and training organizations to meet specific needs. 

Promoting MOOCs: Encourage employees and students to use MOOCs to improve their skills and 

meet digital transformation requirements. 

Utilizing chatbots and digital platforms: Use technologies like chatbots and Learning Management 

Systems (LMS) to save time and costs, improving work efficiency and employee satisfaction. 

Specific measures to improve IT human resources: 

International cooperation: Collaborate with successful countries and international organizations to build 

advanced training programs. Facilitate student exchanges, research collaborations, and joint projects 

with foreign universities and enterprises. 

Encouraging private sector participation: Introduce policies to reduce corporate income tax for training 

expenses or provide preferential loans for businesses investing in human resource training. 

Establishing high-tech training centers: Invest in high-tech training centers in key areas to provide 

intensive courses on new technologies and improve the professional level of IT personnel. 

4.3 Future and Vision 

Developing human resources in the context of global digital transformation: 

Developing high-quality IT human resources is crucial for successful digital transformation. Vietnam 

needs a flexible education and training system that can quickly adapt to technological changes. 

Continuously updating and improving digital skills will help Vietnam lead in the Fourth Industrial 

Revolution. 

The importance of continuously updating and improving digital skills: 

Continuously updating and improving digital skills is essential for meeting labor market demands. This 

effort increases labor productivity and creates new opportunities for socio-economic development. 

Training and skill improvement programs should be widely and flexibly implemented to ensure 

everyone can access and develop necessary skills. 

Vietnam needs to continue investing strongly in education and training, especially in the IT field. The 

government, universities, and businesses need to work closely together to build an education and 

training system that meets labor market demands, promoting digital transformation and sustainable 

socio-economic development. 



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5. Conclusion 

Developing high-quality IT human resources is a critical and urgent task in the context of digital 

transformation. Policies such as reducing personal income tax for high-tech personnel, training 

programs for digital transformation experts, and digital skills training programs at the local level have 

yielded positive results. However, significant challenges remain, such as the severe shortage of 

high-quality IT personnel, overly theoretical and practically lacking university training programs, and 

insufficient investment in training from businesses. 

To address these challenges, comprehensive and coordinated solutions are needed, including improving 

the quality of training at universities, increasing investment in training and human resource 

development from businesses, and enhancing international cooperation. The government, universities, 

and businesses need to work closely together to implement these solutions, ensuring high-quality IT 

human resources that contribute to promoting digital transformation and sustainable socio-economic 

development. In the future, continuously updating and improving digital skills for the workforce will 

help Vietnam not only catch up but also lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

 

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45.html 

[Note 2]. Đào tạo nhân lực chất lượng cao cho chuyển đổi số. (n.d.). Training High-Quality Human 

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