BUV builds the first platform connecting Vietnam and international experts in dialogue on Data Economy

This marks the first time that leaders of the National Data Association (NDA) of Vietnam — including representatives from the Politburo, ministries, and leading enterprises — have met and discussed the Data Economy with scholars and experts from the United Kingdom.

On September 14, 2025, in Hanoi, the British University Vietnam (BUV) co-organised a preparatory roundtable with the National Data Association of Vietnam for the upcoming International Conference on Data Economy scheduled to take place in December.

The roundtable was chaired by Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Director General of C12 – Director of the National Data Center and Vice Chairman of the National Data Association, and facilitated by BUV.

From the United Kingdom, the event welcomed The Rt Hon Alderman Alastair King, Lord Mayor of the City of London; H.E. Iain Frew, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Vietnam; along with senior representatives from the British Embassy and Consulate General, the UK Department for Business and Trade, and the UK’s trade and investment agencies.

Also in attendance were Professor Emma McCoy, Vice President & Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE, University of London); Professor Feng Li, Associate Dean for Research & Innovation at City St George’s (University of London); together with other leading academics and experts from top UK universities.

The roundtable took place in a formal and collaborative atmosphere, gathering policymakers, business leaders, and academics from both Vietnam and the UK.

According to Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, the NDA was established with the mission of connecting regulatory bodies, the business community, and academia to promote research, application, and policymaking in the field of data. He emphasised that international collaboration not only supports the organisation of the upcoming conference but also provides strategic direction for Vietnam’s long-term data economy development. The discussions delved into data economy models and governance experience from the UK — one of the world’s leading countries in this area.

In this process, the British University Vietnam (BUV) played a vital role as a bridge, bringing UK academics and experts closer to Vietnam’s academic and business communities, fostering strategic and forward-looking dialogues. This was also the first official exchange between the NDA and international scholars, marking BUV’s continued position as a pioneer in connecting global knowledge with Vietnam.

Professor Raymond Gordon, Vice Chancellor of BUV, reaffirmed the university’s role as a bridge between the UK and Vietnam in advancing dialogue and collaboration on the data economy

Under the moderation of Ms. Duong Hong Loan, Senior Strategic Advisor at BUV, the roundtable encouraged open and multi-dimensional discussions, connecting perspectives from academia, business, and government, and contributing to a shared vision for Vietnam’s data economy development roadmap.

Ms. Duong Hong Loan, Senior Strategic Advisor at BUV, facilitated the discussion and connected ideas between Vietnamese and UK delegates on the future of the data economy

Professor Raymond Gordon, President and Vice Chancellor of BUV, affirmed that data is not merely a set of numbers but a strategic national resource – “the new energy of the digital economy” – that unlocks innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. He reiterated BUV’s commitment to collaborate with the NDA, the Government of Vietnam, and UK partners in research, education, and practical initiatives that support the country’s digital transformation.

The Rt Hon Alderman Alastair King, Lord Mayor of the City of London, highly praised BUV’s contribution at the roundtable, stating: “BUV holds remarkable potential to serve as a bridge between the academic communities of the UK and Vietnam. As an international-standard university, BUV not only brings global knowledge to Vietnam but also fosters strategic dialogue that supports the development of the data economy.”

The Rt Hon Alderman Alastair King, Lord Mayor of the City of London, commended BUV’s pivotal role in connecting UK and Vietnamese academic and business communities

At the conclusion of the roundtable, participants reached an agreement on the structure and timeline of the upcoming International Conference on Data Economy in December 2025, and a consensus on developing the Vietnam Data Economy Index alongside related research collaborations. The discussions also strengthened the partnership between the NDA, BUV, and the UK academic delegation, setting out clear next steps and responsibilities in the lead-up to December’s conference.

The forthcoming International Conference on Data Economy, expected to be held in Hanoi this December, is anticipated to gather scholars and experts not only from the UK but from around the world. With BUV’s active participation, Vietnam’s academic voice will continue to resonate on the global stage.