Vietnam’s IT sector has established itself worldwide, but how does it compare to other ASEAN countries? Here’s a comparative overview:

1. Economic Contribution:

• Vietnam: The IT industry contributes significantly to the economy, with revenues around $158 billion in 2023. This sector contributed around $36.9 billion to the country’s GDP, which is about 3.47% of the total GDP.
• Singapore: In 2023, Singapore’s ICT industry generated an estimated revenue of $31.11 billion. The sector contributed approximately 5.4% to the country’s GDP.
• Thailand: Thailand’s IT industry contributed approximately $32 billion to the economy. This represents about 2.5% of Thailand’s GDP.
• Malaysia: The ICT sector generated $23 billion in revenue. This accounted for about 5.8% of Malaysia’s GDP.
• Philippines: The ICT sector generated approximately $36.5 billion in revenue, which accounted for about 9.4% of the country’s GDP.
• Laos: In 2023, the ICT industry in Laos generated an estimated revenue of $1.2 billion. The sector contributed approximately 4.5% to the country’s GDP.
• Indonesia: In 2023, the revenue of Indonesia’s ICT industry was projected to reach approximately $36.9 billion USD. This accounted for about 5.6% to the total GDP.
• Cambodia: In 2023, Cambodia’s ICT industry generated an estimated revenue of $1.78 billion. The sector contributed approximately 6.5% to the country’s GDP.
• Brunei: In 2023, Brunei’s ICT industry generated an estimated revenue of $360 million. The sector contributed around 2.3% to the country’s GDP.

3. Government Support:

• Vietnam: Offers tax incentives and has launched initiatives like the Vietnam National Innovation Center.
• Singapore: Provides extensive support through initiatives like Smart Nation and Startup SG.
• Thailand: Has initiatives like Thailand 4.0 to boost its digital economy.

5. Digital Transformation:

• Vietnam: Rapidly advancing in digital transformation, especially in e-commerce and fintech.
• Singapore: Leading in smart city technologies and digital services.
• Malaysia: Focused on digital economy initiatives and improving digital infrastructure.

Overall, while Vietnam is making impressive strides, countries like Singapore and Malaysia have more established IT sectors. However, Vietnam’s young, tech-savvy population and supportive government policies position it well for continued growth and regional competitiveness.