Data to Direction: How Vietnam is Reinventing the Strategic State
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] For more than a decade, Vietnam has built one of Southeast Asia’s most data-driven public administrations. Ministries track performance indicators. Provinces report standardised metrics. The central government aggregates information from different localities. But, according to Professor Bert GEORGE, Professor at the…
Vietnam has transformed its data-driven governance into a strategic state, according to Professor Bert George from City University of Hong Kong. For over a decade, the country has collected and tracked performance indicators across provinces and central ministries, creating an extensive data infrastructure. However, George argues that the next phase involves converting this data into strategic direction.
A key component of this strategic shift is the formation of a consolidated national strategy commission, which aims to align government activities with national priorities. This commission links country-wide goals directly to Vietnam's data systems, ensuring that ministries and provinces pursue cohesive agendas rather than disconnected ones.
This transformation requires a change in mindset among policymakers, who must now seek governance intelligence from various sources, including local governments, universities, businesses, and civil society. Vietnam's approach has successfully connected diverse actors while standardising data flows and building oversight into the system.
Interestingly, Vietnam's reform efforts are taking place within a one-party political system that is often perceived as rigid. However, George emphasizes that the reality is more pragmatic, with the government increasingly empowering the private sector and creating space for entrepreneurship and innovation. International partners and universities have also played a crucial role in supporting Vietnam's transformation.
At the core of Vietnam's modernisation strategy are three pillars: integrated strategy, talent development, and trustworthy institutions. Integration involves aligning various actors around a shared purpose, rather than allowing numerous disconnected strategies to exist. Talent development focuses on building a skilled and strategic civil service that can compete effectively with the private sector.
Finally, trust is essential for a predictable regulatory environment that fosters both domestic confidence and foreign investment.
While Vietnam has made significant progress, George cautions against an over-reliance on key performance indicators (KPIs). While metrics can strengthen accountability, excessive reliance on them may discourage experimentation. He stresses the need for continuous strategising, balancing stability with flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
