Vietnam rose 11 places in the Network Readiness Index in 2024.

NRI 2024 is an in-depth report that comprehensively assesses the readiness, effectiveness, and potential of information and communication technology (ICT) applications in 133 countries, representing 95% of global gross domestic product (GDP).

This report was produced jointly by the Portulans Institute, a non-profit research organization specializing in innovation and competitiveness, and the Saïd Business School at Oxford University, one of the world's leading business schools.

The NRI 2024 assessment is based on four main pillars: (1) Technology: Measuring technology infrastructure, access to information technology, and innovation in the ICT sector; (2) People: Assessing people's skills and the level of ICT use in personal, business, and government activities; (3) Governance: Analyzing policies, laws, and regulations related to ICT, as well as the transparency and effectiveness of the government in promoting technology adoption; (4) Impact: Measuring the economic and social impact of ICT, including economic growth, innovation, and improved quality of life.

With a total score of 54.96/100, Vietnam ranks 45th out of 133 countries in NRI in 2024.

According to NRI 2024, Vietnam achieved a total score of 54.96, with a technology score of 49.27, a human resources score of 47.97, a governance score of 58.03, and an impact score of 64.58.

With this result, Vietnam ranks 45th out of 133 countries, an increase of 11 places compared to last year. Among the 32 lower-middle-income countries, Vietnam leads in the NRI index, followed by India (ranked 49th) and the Philippines (ranked 63rd).

The NRI 2024 report highlights that lower-middle-income economies like Vietnam are achieving outstanding progress in technology adoption and workforce skills development, exceeding expectations based on GDP per capita. This demonstrates significant progress in technology utilization, despite economic constraints.

The report also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive digital transformation strategies, focusing not only on technological infrastructure but also encompassing the legal framework, skills development, and digital inclusion. For Vietnam, although the digital economy is developing strongly thanks to telecommunications infrastructure and the increasing adoption of digital services, strengthening the regulatory framework is necessary to ensure sustainable digital development.

The United States, Singapore, and Finland have been the world's top three countries in NRI (Non-Reactive Energy Intake) for three consecutive years.

In the 2024 NRI rankings, the United States continues to hold the number one position globally. This achievement reflects the nation's superior ability to harness the potential of ICT to drive economic growth, research and innovation, and technology applications in key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and comprehensive digital transformation.

Singapore continues to hold the second position, demonstrating its strength in building modern technology infrastructure, effective governance policies, and developing digital skills for its workforce.

Meanwhile, Finland, with its excellent education system and sustainable innovation strategy, maintained its third position in the rankings.

All three countries have maintained their rankings for the past three years, affirming their position as pioneers in applying ICT to create positive economic and social impacts.

This not only demonstrates remarkable technological advancements but also shows the effective combination of policy, innovation capacity, and strategic investment, creating a solid foundation for sustainable growth in the digital age.

The top 10 countries in terms of NRI in 2024 have seen some notable changes.

Although the 2024 NRI rankings still show stability among the leading countries, some notable changes have occurred within the top 10, reflecting positive shifts in ICT development efforts.

The United Kingdom has risen from 10th to 8th place, thanks to outstanding achievements in research, innovation, and strategic investment in digital infrastructure.

Sweden also made progress, moving up one place from 5th to 4th, thanks to its focus on sustainable technology development and a comprehensive digitalization strategy.

Notably, South Korea rose two places, from 7th to 5th, demonstrating remarkable progress in adopting new technologies such as AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) into its economy and social life.

The Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark continue to rank among the top countries, thanks to stability in technology management policies, highly developed ICT infrastructure, and a high level of innovation in key industries.

These countries not only maintain their position but also lead in creating sustainable digital transformation models and integrating technology into all aspects of life and the economy.

The changes in this year's top 10 rankings underscore the increasingly fierce competition in the technology sector, with countries constantly refining their strategies and enhancing their digital capabilities to maintain or improve their position on the international stage.

Europe dominates with the top 17 countries in the 2024 NRI ranking.

The NRI 2024 report reveals a remarkable distribution of top-performing countries by geographic region, highlighting differences in ICT readiness and adoption capabilities.

Accordingly, Europe dominated with the participation of 17 countries, mainly from Western Europe and Northern Europe (Scandinavia), reflecting the superiority of developed economies in building modern technological infrastructure, implementing ICT support policies, and investing in innovation capacity.

These countries include prominent representatives such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Finland, which are highly regarded for their ability to integrate technology into their economies, education systems, and governance.

Asia has a notable presence with representatives from Singapore, China, South Korea, and Japan. Singapore takes a leading role in the region thanks to its comprehensive digital transformation strategy and technology-friendly business environment.

South Korea and Japan continue to assert their pioneering positions in high-tech innovation, from AI to technological solutions in manufacturing and daily life. Meanwhile, China stands out with its remarkable scale of development, particularly in e-commerce and its domestic technology ecosystem.

North America is represented by two countries, the United States and Canada, with the US holding the number one position globally thanks to its leadership in technological innovation and competitiveness in digital industries. Canada, on the other hand, demonstrates strong development in ICT infrastructure and policies supporting digital skills for its citizens.

Oceania is represented by two countries: Australia and New Zealand, both consistently leading the region in technology investment, digital education development, and the deployment of sustainable ICT-based solutions.

The presence of countries from different regions in NRI 2024 reflects not only the remarkable development of these economies but also underscores the increasingly important role of technology in driving economic growth, improving governance, and enhancing the quality of life globally.

Vietnam is among the countries that have exceeded expectations regarding network readiness.

Countries such as China (17th), Vietnam (45th), Ukraine (43rd), and Kenya (73rd) stood out in the NRI 2024 report, exceeding expectations for network readiness levels despite belonging to the lower-middle-income group.

This remarkable achievement represents a significant departure from predictions based on GDP per capita, demonstrating the potential of leveraging technology to drive economic and social development.

Specifically, each country surpassed the trend benchmark by at least 10%, confirming strong progress in building technological infrastructure, improving digital capabilities, and fostering innovation.

China, with its strong development in areas such as e-commerce, AI, and smart manufacturing, continues to consolidate its leading position among emerging economies.

Thanks to its comprehensive digital transformation strategy and the increasing use of digital services in daily life, Vietnam has risen strongly in the Southeast Asian region.

While Ukraine, despite geopolitical challenges, has made significant strides in developing digital skills and improving technology governance.

Kenya, a prominent representative from Africa, has become a regional technology hub with innovative initiatives in mobile finance and agricultural technology.

These achievements highlight that, despite economic constraints, these countries are leveraging ICT to drive growth, bridge the digital divide, and create breakthrough opportunities, becoming an inspiration for many other nations seeking development paths in the digital age.

Professor Soumitra Dutta, Co-founder and Chair of the Portulans Institute, Co-editor of the NRI 2024 report, and Saïd, Dean of Business at the University of Oxford, emphasized the core importance of this indicator in the context of global digital transformation.

He stated: "As digital transformation accelerates, NRI 2024 underscores the crucial role of public-private partnerships in building a solid foundation for digital readiness. Through close collaboration, governments, businesses, and civil society can create a stable and reliable governance framework, fostering the full potential of technology and contributing to holistic economic and social well-being."

Professor Dutta's remarks emphasize that, in the digital age, no single organization or region can shape the future of technology on its own. It is the collaboration of stakeholders that will create sustainable solutions, fostering innovation while ensuring that technology is used to deliver long-term benefits to people and the global economy.