Green Skills and Digital Competencies for Blue Economy Development: Evidence from the Tran De Coastal Economic Zone, Vietnam

Abstract

This study aims to identify the green skills and digital competencies required to support blue economy development in the Tran De Coastal Economic Zone, Soc Trang Province, Vietnam. Grounded in Human Capital Theory, the research employed a three-round Delphi method involving 18 experts from government agencies, economic zone management authorities, logistics and maritime enterprises, digital transformation specialists, and academic institutions. The findings established a competency framework consisting of two key dimensions: green skills and digital competencies. Green skills include environmental awareness, sustainable resource management, green innovation capability, circular economy knowledge, and environmental risk management. Digital competencies comprise digital literacy, data analytics capability, smart logistics management, AI literacy, and digital collaboration and communication. The Delphi results indicate that smart logistics management, environmental awareness, and sustainable resource management are the most critical competencies for supporting blue economy development in the Tran De Coastal Economic Zone. The study highlights that the integration of green skills and digital competencies is essential for developing a future-ready workforce capable of addressing sustainability challenges and technological transformation. The findings provide valuable implications for policymakers, educational institutions, and businesses in designing workforce development strategies, training programs, and human resource policies that support sustainable blue economy growth in Vietnam.