"Means of production" shape competitiveness
The global economic landscape is undergoing profound changes. The competitiveness of a nation or business is no longer simply measured by cheap labor or readily available resources. The competitive advantage is shifting dramatically towards digitalization, mastery of information, and transparency in processes.
However, the reality shows that many Vietnamese businesses are still struggling due to insufficiently robust management systems. This was the core issue analyzed by technology and economic experts at the "ERP Strategy 2026: System Standardization - Transparent Governance - Sustainable Transformation" conference held on the morning of August 18th in Hanoi.
Dr. Bui Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Office of the Committee for Private Economic Development (Committee IV)
Speaking at the event, Dr. Bui Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Office of the Committee for Private Economic Development (Committee IV), emphasized that the rules of international trade are shifting from "competition by price" to "competition by the ability to prove and verify the origin of goods." In line with the spirit of Resolution 57-NQ/TW, data has now officially become a type of "main means of production."
According to Dr. Bui Thanh Minh, in order to participate deeply in the global supply chain, especially to overcome green standard barriers such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) or the European Union's Anti-Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), businesses must master three core layers of data.
First is the traceability and origin data layer, a prerequisite for leveraging FTA tariff preferences and risk mitigation. Second is product-level emission data, aimed at meeting stringent reporting obligations from international partners. Finally, there is the operational data layer ready for audits, demonstrating delivery rates, defect rates, and actual capacity.
According to experts, although 8 out of 10 Vietnamese businesses have adopted AI, the application of this technology yields very low efficiency due to unreliable data input. A centralized and accurate data management system would enable businesses to provide transparent evidence of their production processes and sustainable development commitments (ESG).
The solution lies in standardizing governance and core technologies
In reality, up to 90% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam are using fragmented management tools, leading to information discontinuities. This fragmentation not only makes management difficult but also creates enormous economic losses.
A study by MuleSoft (2025) indicates that businesses use an average of 897 applications, but only 28% are connected, resulting in a loss of $12.9 million per year due to poor-quality data. This lack of synchronization can cause tens of millions of dollars in losses annually as poor-quality data leads to flawed strategic decisions.
According to assessments from leading consulting firms such as BCG and McKinsey, organizations that master their data (Data Champions) are capable of achieving 2.5 times higher revenue growth, 19 times higher profitability, and a 4.8-fold increase in operating profit after 10 years. This demonstrates that data management is no longer just an IT department issue, but a vital matter for the entire operational system.
Speaking at the conference, a representative from 1C Vietnam stated that to solve this problem, businesses need a flexible management platform that is highly customizable but does not disrupt the core structure. Instead of having IT personnel shoulder cumbersome traditional coding systems, the application of flexible technology (low-code) is opening up a new direction, helping businesses shorten deployment time, optimize investment costs, and better control the supply chain.
Mastering data today requires a synchronized ecosystem. No single software program can solve all the complex problems. The combination of a core data platform with specialized solutions—from smart manufacturing management (DigiFactory), specialized human resource management, to greenhouse gas inventory consulting and ESG roadmap development—is becoming the inevitable trend for businesses to create a sustainable ecosystem.
Current Situation and Market Differentiation Map of ERP in Vietnam
In Vietnam, the strong trend of digital transformation has led the ERP market to enter a period of exceptional growth. However, the configuration of ERP applications with digital analytics capabilities varies by industry group and business size:According to Panorama Consulting, ERP application bases by industry:
● Manufacturing (Leading with 26.4%): Implementing complex operational processes from production planning, material design (BOM), automated analysis to application of supply chain optimization, ERP is almost a mandatory "assistant" for business products.
● Services & IT (17.1%): This industry group requires high information processing speed and data interoperability to optimize customer experience.
● Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Products (13.6%) and Construction (11.4%): These sectors are accelerating digitalization to improve quantitative cost management and project cash flow control.Besides the manufacturing sector, the ERP market for the commercial sector in Vietnam is experiencing phenomenal growth.
To meet the increasingly high expectations of consumers and the multi-channel sales trend, retail businesses are actively applying ERP to:
● Manage inventory in real time (Real-time inventory).
● Accurately forecast market demand using intelligent algorithms.● Apply integrated automation to physical stores and e-commerce platforms.
● Integrate Cloud ERP to reduce initial infrastructure investment costs and accelerate deployment and development.
