Speaking at a conference on sustainable double-digit economic growth held as part of the Vietnam ESG Forum 2026 in Hanoi, Cuong said AI, digitalisation and green transition were becoming urgent requirements for businesses amid Vietnam’s shift towards a growth model driven by technology and innovation.
“We are living in an AI-driven environment. Integrating AI into production and business operations will become the most importaant driver in the next growth phase,” Cuong said.
He described AI as no longer an experimental trend but a core tool for restructuring business operations, improving productivity and creating new growth momentum.
However, Cuong noted that businesses would need strong digital infrastructure and data capabilities for AI to operate effectively.
He argued that digital transformation involved not only digitising processes but also building strategic data systems that allow AI to support forecasting, analysis and decision-making.
Cuong added that digital transformation could help businesses optimise operations, improve customer experience, strengthen governance and build digital corporate culture, while also providing the foundation for long-term growth strategies.
Alongside AI and digitalisation, green transition is increasingly becoming a mandatory requirement as international markets tighten ESG and sustainability standards, he stressed.
Businesses should integrate environmental, social and governance criteria into development strategies to improve competitiveness and access green finance and export markets.
“To achieve double-digit growth, businesses must make every effort to strengthen their own development,” Cuong said.
According to Cuong, companies that succeed will not necessarily be those investing the most in each individual field, but those most capable of effectively integrating AI, digital transformation and sustainability into their growth models.
AI, digitalisation and green transition seen as core growth pillars
Cuong said AI would play a key role in boosting productivity through data exploitation and intelligent automation, noting that businesses should embed AI into governance systems, workforce development and decision-making processes.
He also described digital transformation as the foundation for scaling operations and improving governance efficiency through comprehensive digitalisation of processes, data and operating models.
Green transition, meanwhile, is no longer a symbolic trend but an increasingly unavoidable requirement as global ESG expectations continue to rise, he added.