Digital Transformation in Academic Publishing: Opportunities and Challenges in Vietnam

<p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="first" dir="auto" id="d155441892e108"> <b>Background and Aim:</b> <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d155441892e113">Digital transformation in academic publishing presents numerous opportunities to enhance accessibility, accelerate publication processes, and improve transparency in editorial workflows. However, it also poses significant challenges in verifying information, preventing misinformation, and safeguarding the integrity of academic knowledge. This study analyzes the state of digital transformation in academic publishing in Vietnam, focusing on its impact on content quality control and misinformation mitigation in a global context. While Vietnamese academic journals have made progress in international integration, they still face obstacles due to limitations in data-sharing infrastructure and the adoption of digital technologies. The implementation of identification systems such as DOI remains uncommon, affecting research data retrieval and linkage. Additionally, the publishing model largely follows traditional methods, lacking effective integration of digital management systems to optimize workflows and reduce costs. <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d155441892e115"> <b>Methods:</b> <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d155441892e120">This study evaluates the digital transformation of Vietnamese academic journals in 2023 and 2024, analyzing 87 journals in 2023 and 67 in 2024. The assessment applies the Digital Transformation Maturity Index for Vietnamese Journalism, measuring five key areas: (1)Strategy (18 points) – Institutional policies on digital transformation; (2)Digital Infrastructure and Security (24 points) – Availability of digital publishing tools; (3)Organizational Readiness (20 points) – Editorial expertise in digital environments; (4)Audience Engagement (23 points) – Reader interaction and the journal’s impact on the academic community; and (5)Technology Adoption (15 points) – Implementation of automated workflows and the editorial team’s technological proficiency.Each journal received a total score and was classified into five digital maturity levels: Weak (&lt;50), Average (50–59), Fair (60–74), Good (75–89), and Excellent (≥90). The evaluation combined website analysis, editorial policy review, and surveys with editors-in-chief to assess digital adoption and challenges. <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d155441892e122"> <b>Results:</b> <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d155441892e127">The comparative analysis of 2023 and 2024 reveals notable improvements in the digital transformation of Vietnamese academic journals. While 87 journals were evaluated in 2023, this number decreased to 67 in 2024, reflecting shifts in journal operations and digital adoption. The assessment shows an increase in the number of journals classified as Good, rising from 1 in 2023 to 5 in 2024, indicating progress in digital infrastructure and workflow efficiency. Conversely, the number of Weak journals declined significantly from 78 to 52, suggesting an overall enhancement in digital maturity. Despite these improvements, no journal has yet achieved the Excellent category, highlighting persistent challenges in peer review transparency, content quality control, and misinformation mitigation. While digital platforms and editorial workflows have been streamlined, monitoring mechanisms remain underdeveloped, particularly in ensuring compliance with publishing ethics and information verification. These findings emphasize the need for further enhancements in digital integration and editorial governance to strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of Vietnamese academic journals. <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d155441892e129"> <b>Conclusion:</b> <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d155441892e134">To address these challenges, this study proposes strategic solutions to enhance the digital transformation of academic publishing in Vietnam. Developing a dedicated assessment framework tailored for academic journals is essential to improve transparency in publishing processes and content verification standards. Adopting digital tools for misinformation detection and regulation, coupled with increased awareness of academic ethics, will further strengthen the integrity of scholarly publications.In addition, fostering international collaboration and promoting data-sharing initiatives will enhance the credibility and global visibility of Vietnamese academic journals. Investing in digital infrastructure and automation technologies will optimize editorial workflows and support a sustainable publishing model that aligns with international best practices. By addressing these critical areas, Vietnamese academic journals can advance toward higher digital maturity, improved content quality, and greater global integration, ultimately positioning themselves as key contributors to the international academic landscape.