HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam is rapidly emerging as a dynamic player in the global AI and semiconductor industries, fuelled by talent, ambition and a growing innovation ecosystem.

By harnessing AI to streamline chip design and boost productivity along with fostering open-source collaboration and building a new generation of AI engineers, Việt Nam is strategically positioning itself for global impact.

With supportive Government policies, increasing foreign investment and a vibrant community of start-ups and researchers, the country is not only catching up, but also positioned to lead.

Việt Nam News reporter Ly Ly Cao spoke to experts and insiders on the sidelines of the AI-Semiconductor Conference (AISC 2025) to show a compelling picture of a nation on the edge of a technological breakthrough.

Christopher Nguyễn, CEO and Co-Founder of Aitomatic. — VNS Photo Ly Ly Cao

Christopher Nguyễn, CEO and Co-Founder of Aitomatic: Việt Nam is a rising force in the AI and semiconductor industries, driven by a young, talented population and increasing foreign and local investments.

The country’s demographic advantage, with 100 million people, many of them eager to engage in tech, is a powerful catalyst for growth.

Additionally, companies like VinAI, which have demonstrated that world-class AI research can happen in Việt Nam with focused effort and strategic direction, show examples of successful stories.

On the semiconductor side, the growing investments in both IC design and packaging systems signal the start of a promising tech ecosystem.

However, Việt Nam should find its niche rather than competing in highly saturated markets like advanced semiconductor fabrication dominated by giants like TSMC.

Instead, we should focus on emerging, high-potential areas like edge AI, where no clear global leader has yet emerged. I believe Việt Nam can build a comparative advantage by channelling resources and talent into these less crowded, fast-growing markets, creating the chance to become a global leader. I'm very excited about the potential of the edge becoming the centre and for edge AI in terms of IC design.

I also see opportunities in algorithmic efficiency, where Việt Nam’s engineering talent could develop more resource-efficient models rather than competing at the boundary of model size and complexity.

Talking about investment flows, in places that are resource constrained, including China, Việt Nam’s smaller economy could experience rapid growth with even minor shifts in global supply chains. For example, if just 2 per cent of China’s exports shifted to Việt Nam, it could double the country's economy.

And despite the current and future uncertainties of the world, Việt Nam is forecast to continue growing in the next ten years, drawing global investments from countries and regions like Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan (China).

Dr Azalia Mirhoseini from Google DeepMind. — VNS Photo

Dr Azalia Mirhoseini from Google DeepMind: The transformative impact of AI on semiconductor design shows its potential to revolutionise the entire chip development process.

AI’s unique advantage lies in its ability to learn from experience. As AI systems encounter and solve more design challenges across different stages of chip development, they continuously improve, accelerating in both speed and efficiency. This creates a 'flywheel effect', where AI increasingly enhances productivity, shortens design cycles and enables faster, higher-performance chip production through automated processes and advanced co-design techniques.

This evolution is just beginning, predicting a future where AI handles most computer-based tasks, drastically reshaping industries.

Since AI itself relies on chips to function, semiconductor manufacturing will become even more crucial, elevating it to a matter of national security.

However, there are significant challenges, particularly the reliance on proprietary, expensive and slow tools such as electronic design automation that limit design exploration and innovation.

So I think with greater adoption of open-source tools, we can democratise chip design and speed up innovation.

This presents a major opportunity for countries like Việt Nam, which has a growing pool of talented young engineers and computer scientists eager to contribute to global advancements.

By championing open-source tools and fostering local innovation, Việt Nam could play a key role in the future of semiconductor technology, contributing to a more accessible, efficient and globally connected chip design ecosystem.

Meanwhile, given the geopolitical tensions surrounding semiconductor manufacturing, I think there is a need for thoughtful policy-making in this space, and governments should collaborate with unbiased academics to create policies that promote scientific progress while balancing national and global interests.

Dr Vũ Xuân Sơn, Co-Founder of DeepTensor AB. — VNS Photo

Dr Vũ Xuân Sơn, Co-Founder of DeepTensor AB: Việt Nam has experienced a rapid growth in AI adoption, with businesses already deploying solutions for applications like electronic banking customer databases and AI monitoring systems.

However, there are two major challenges: a shortage of high-level AI engineers and a lack of large, reliable datasets.

While Việt Nam has many early adopters, it needs to cultivate a new generation of deep AI experts through better education, research opportunities and international collaboration.

That’s why my company is working to build foundational datasets to support AI development, empowering engineers to create more advanced, domain-specific solutions.

I see a future where AI systems, not just models, collaborate seamlessly to solve real-world problems, like virtual assistants interacting with language models and financial tools to deliver integrated, human-centric solutions.

I believe Việt Nam can thrive in AI if it invests in both talent and infrastructure, fostering an ecosystem where AI systems truly add value to society.

Anthony J. Annunziata, Director of AI Open Innovation at IBM. — VNS Photo

Anthony J. Annunziata, Director of AI Open Innovation at IBM: I think Việt Nam is a rising leader in open-source AI development, with the AI Alliance playing a key role in fostering innovation.

The country’s approach, balancing global advancements in AI, like large language models and infrastructure technologies, with a strong focus on local language, culture and economic priorities, positions Việt Nam to build a robust AI ecosystem.

This thoughtful balance will create a powerful platform for growth, allowing Việt Nam to adapt global technologies to fit its unique needs while contributing to global innovation.

Moreover, the country’s proactive regulatory environment is a major advantage. Việt Nam’s policies seem focused on lowering barriers to innovation, investing in infrastructure and encouraging businesses to experiment freely, all with Government support.

This approach aligns well with leading global strategies for AI governance, enabling rapid technological adoption while establishing safeguards to mitigate risks. It will help Việt Nam stay competitive in the global AI landscape.

I also see vast potential for Việt Nam to lead at the intersection of AI and the semiconductor industry.

AI is increasingly essential in addressing complex challenges at both the chip design and manufacturing process levels, areas where Việt Nam can bring research and commercial efforts together.

With companies like FPT Software already serving as founding members of the AI Alliance and contributing significantly to its programmes, Việt Nam is building an environment where collaboration and innovation thrive.

Việt Nam’s energy, focus and willingness to embrace global collaboration, combined with local adaptation and supportive policies, make it a strong contender for leadership in AI and semiconductor innovation, with the potential to shape both research and commercial opportunities for years to come. — BIZHUB/VNS