Building digital competence for a high-skilled workforce: An institutional analysis of North Central and Central Coastal Vietnam

Abstract

Digital competence is often treated as an individual attribute, although its development depends on institutions connecting education, labour demand and innovation. This study examines that institutional problem in North Central and Central Coastal Vietnam. A qualitative policy-document case study analysed 14 national and regional strategies, decisions, statistical publications and diagnostic reports issued between 2020 and 2024. Documents were coded for competence definitions, demand signalling, training provision, employer participation, coordination, monitoring and inclusion. The analysis identifies four linked weaknesses: fragmented competence concepts, limited translation of employer demand into training, regional coordination without a dedicated skills-intelligence function, and monitoring weighted towards digital inputs rather than workforce outcomes. The paper proposes an institutional capability framework in which shared skills information and cross-boundary coordination mediate between policy ambition and workforce competence. It offers operational measures for regional skills observatories, common competency taxonomies, employer-education partnerships and outcome dashboards in developing-country regions.