AI breakthrough: Is Vietnam ready for new technology wave?
According to a recent report by Google, artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to benefit various economic sectors in Vietnam, with retail, healthcare, manufacturing, consumer goods, and infrastructure projected to gain the most.
Vietnam aims to have at least 5,000 engineers with advanced AI expertise by 2030 to support the semiconductor industry. (Photo: Vietnamplus)
Hanoi (VNA) - ♔How can Vietnam harness the power of AI to drive economic growth and achieve its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045? This was the main topic of the “Shaping the AI Future for Vietnam” seminar, jointly organised by the National Innovation Centre (NIC), the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and Google, on November 15.
At the event, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Do Thanh Trung highlighted the critical role of AI in Vietnam’s socio-economic development strategy.
He said the Ministry has submitted to the Prime Minister for approval a programme on human resource development for the semiconductor industry by 2030, with a vision to 205.
The programme sets a target of training at least 5,000 engineers with advanced AI expertise by 2030 to serve the semiconductor industry.
The NIC has been tasked with collaborating with domestic and international partners to establish an AI training, research, and application centre.
The centre will support AI business incubation, research, application and in-depth training on AI with the goal of training 7,000 experts meeting international standards and incubating 500 startups by 2030.
NIC will support AI business incubation, research, application and in-depth training on AI with the goal of training 7,000 experts meeting international standards and incubating 500 startups by 2030. (Photo: Vietnamplus)
On the occasion, Google released a report on “AI Opportunity Agenda for Vietnam,” which highlights the huge potential of AI in Vietnam and estimates economic benefits worth up to 1.89 trillion VND (79.3 billion USD) from AI by 2030, making up nearly 12 percent of the country’s GDP.
To fully tap AI’s full potential, Google experts emphasise the need to strengthen Vietnam’s digital infrastructure, build an AI-ready workforce, and expand access to AI technologies across the economy.
The report also proposes strategies to close the digital and AI knowledge gap, enabling Vietnam’s workforce to effectively leverage AI for driving economic growth.
In addition, the report recommends that Vietnam implement effective policies to retain and nurture the country's talent pool, such as expanding access to digital education and promoting corporate training programmes.
According to the report, narrowing the digital skills gap is projected to contribute an additional 658.6 trillion VND (25.9 billion USD) to GDP by 2030.
A recent Google report shows that Vietnam could gain up 79.3 billion USD in economic benefits from AI. (Photo: Vietnamplus)
Google’s report also highlights Vietnam’s impressive economic growth, from a low-income to middle-income country and its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045.
To realise this goal, AI is identified as a new growth driver, especially in the context of a rapidly developing digital economy.
In addition, AI has the potential to boost such sectors as e-commerce and logistics.
Andrew Ure, Google’s Senior Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Southeast Asia, expressed optimism about Vietnam’s AI potential, citing the country’s young, tech-savvy population and dynamic digital environment.
Vietnamese businesses are actively applying AI, especially in the financial sector. The government has issued strong support policies through the National AI Strategy, aiming to turn Vietnam into an AI innovation hub by 2030./.
By boosting cooperation with reputable partners across the globe, Vietnam is taking steps to gain a foothold in the world’s semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries.
As artificial intelligence (AI), along with machine learning (ML), big data and cloud computing make more in-roads among all sectors, it requires labourers to equip themselves with necessary technology knowledge and skills.
With the government's strong direction and active participation from businesses and citizens, national digital transformation is deepening, with a focus on building a digital government, economy, and society.
VietNEST (Vietnamese Nurturing Education for Science & Traditions) is a mobile app and digital platform for Vietnamese language learning among overseas children.
The networks bring together universities, research institutes and domestic and foreign businesses. Members will work closely in training, research, and technology transfer by sharing curricula, improving faculty capacity, providing access to laboratories and research facilities, and jointly implementing science and technology projects.
The Better Choice Awards (BCA) 2025 is a key highlight in the lead-up to Vietnam Innovation Day that falls on October 1, an annual event expected to attract hundreds of innovative enterprises, research institutions, investment funds, and startups from both Vietnam and abroad.
The new line serves as a critical backup route, strategically complementing existing submarine cables and enhancing the resilience, proactivity, and security of Vietnam’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Vietnam is actively yet cautiously preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan (now the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa). The resumption of the programme after years of suspension carries considerable significance for the nation’s development in a new era as it strives to gradually reduce and ultimately phase out coal-fired power to realise the Government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
The government leader reaffirmed Vietnam’s goal of achieving self-reliance in the design, manufacturing, and test of necessary semiconductor chips by no later than 2027.
With the launching of its two-tier local administration model, the city is incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to enhance service delivery for citizens and businesses, aligning with the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.
Vietnam has issued many key policies to support semiconductor development, notably the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Other initiatives include the Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, and the Human Resources Development Programme for the Semiconductor Industry.
Vietnam is no longer just an emerging blockchain market, it is stepping into a leadership role, with global investors, developers, and experts recognising its growing potential to become a leading hub for digital assets in the region.
Taking place on August 1–2, the event features more than 20,000 attendees and over 200 speakers from Vietnam, the h Korea, Singapore, the UAE, Hong Kong (China) and the US.
Dung directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to revise the national startup scheme, ensuring it clearly defines the scope and content, grounded on strong political and legal foundations, international best practices, and well-reasoned arguments for submission to the Government.
The two-day academic forum, themed “Resilience, Sustainability & Digital Transformation in a Changing World: Perspectives from Southeast Asia”, aims to share interdisciplinary research insights, focusing on adaptive capacity, sustainable development, and digital transformation amid evolving global and regional landscapes.
With such a rapid economic growth, Vietnam must diversify energy sources and nuclear power is a rational choice to ensure the national energy security, said Associate Professor Kei Koga from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasised that Vietnam has a clear strategy and ambition in this field, and is rapidly emerging as a central hub and key link in the regional and global semiconductor value chains.
According to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Asia-Pacific Data Centre Investment Landscape report, Vietnam now ranks second in the region for data centre investment returns, with a yield on cost (YoC) of 17.5–18.8%, just behind Singapore’s 21–23%.
Vietnam is taking drastic yet cautious steps in building a culture of nuclear safety and security, with the aim of having its first nuclear power plant operational by the end of 2030 and using this specific energy source effectively and sustainably.
Vietnam’s 5G strategy has been clearly outlined in national digital technology and infrastructure policies. A wide range of solutions is being vigorously implemented to achieve the target of an average internet speed of 100 Mbps by 2025 and full nationwide 5G coverage by 2030.
The visit aimed to assess the new two-tier local government model, preparations for upcoming Party congresses at levels, and implementation of the Politburo’s Conclusion on school construction in border areas.
