UN Under-Secretary-General lauds Vietnam as key partner in AI
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill has called Vietnam a model of technological progress and a potential linchpin for global cooperation in advancing AI capabilities.
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang (L) and UN Under-Secretary-General Amandeep Singh Gill (Photo: VOV)
New York (VNA) – Vietnam is not only a model of technological progress but also a potential linchpin for global cooperation in advancing AI capabilities, especially for developing countries, said Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill.
During a working session in New York on February 5 with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, Gill praised Vietnam's vision and groundbreaking policies, expressing admiration for Vietnam's relentless pursuit of innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity.
Gill highlighted the pivotal role played by the Vietnamese private sector, singling out tech giants like Viettel, FPT, and VinAI as key contributors to this success.
Vietnam's AI research and application centres are among the top 20 globally outside of China, supported by a passionate and talented pool of technology experts, he said.
He wished that Vietnam would continue its active role in the UN Expert Group and the Policy Dialogue on AI Governance mechanisms.
Ambassador Giang, for his part, stressed that Vietnam considers sci-tech and innovation a strategic choice to achieve double-digit growth in the coming years, aiming to become a country with a modern industrial base by 2030 and reach high-income status by 2045.
To achieve this, Vietnam has recently issued a Resolution on the development of sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation - a breakthrough step. The document includes the establishment of a Central Steering Committee chaired by Party General Secretary To Lam, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as deputy head.
Vietnam is ready to share its experiences and learn from the UN and the Under-Secretary-General, he said. He expressed support for the idea of positioning Vietnam as a linchpin of digital transformation and AI collaboration and urged the UN to help bring this vision to life.
He also expressed Vietnam’s willingness to play a more active role and make greater contributions to key UN events and discussions on digital transformation and AI governance.
🔥 On the occasion, the ambassador reiterated an invitation for the UN Secretary-General and Under-Secretary-General to attend the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), scheduled to be held in Vietnam’s capital later this year./.
Vietnam’s flexible approach to AI regulations has enabled the country to leverage its geopolitical advantages, skilled workforce, and innovation ecosystem for sustained technological progress.
Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with Vietnamese technology company CMC, has announced an ambitious initiative to establish the world's first AI city model.
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.
Under the theme “Breakthrough Era with the Development of Industrial Internet”, the event gathered over 400 delegates, including senior officials, leading Internet experts, and technology engineers from Vietnam and abroad.
