National policy analysis of digital transformation in Vietnamese higher education: Conceptualising a three-layer model for implementation

The advent of digital transformation will launch a new age for global higher education, one that presents numerous opportunities for administrative and instructional reform. Although there is a growing corpus of literature on digital transformation in higher education, there are still several important research gaps, especially when it comes to the examination of national policy documents in unique geopolitical situations like Vietnam. This study has identified the key strategies of digital transformation through the examination of 21 national policy papers, namely (1) Digital infrastructure and governance, (2) Equity and capacity building, (3) Digital pedagogy and administration, (4) Strategic planning and stakeholder collaboration, and (5) Financing and resource allocation. Based on the findings and Lewin’s change theory as a conceptual framework, this research developed a conceptual model for guiding digital transformation at the institutional level, encompassing Activation, Implementation, and Institutionalisation Layers that can be broadly applied in various settings. The results of this study have important implications for educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders engaged in the advancement of digital transformation, not only in Vietnam but also in other nations starting similar paths toward the digital transformation of higher education.