Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng (centre) and other delegates at the launching ceremony. — Photo courtesy of NIC

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam is reaffirming its ambition to become a regional and global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030 or sooner, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng said on Wednesday, calling for stronger collaboration from both domestic and international partners.

Speaking at the launch of the 'AI for the Future' 2025 programme at the National Innovation Centre (NIC), he pointed to the country’s young, dynamic and tech-savvy population as a driving force behind its AI aspirations.

Currently, four key Party resolutions are considered the pillars of Việt Nam’s development in the digital era.

Resolution 57 focuses on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. Resolution 59 addresses international integration in the new context. Resolution 66 promotes reform in law-making and enforcement. Resolution 68 supports the growth of the private sector. Together, they reflect a renewed mindset, build on 40 years of national reform and align with global trends.

Deputy PM Dũng welcomed Google’s partnership with the Ministry of Finance and NIC, calling it vital to Việt Nam’s AI ecosystem and in line with Resolution 57’s focus on innovation and digital transformation.

As global competition for talent and investment intensifies in areas like AI, semiconductors and green energy, the Deputy Prime Minister called it a “golden opportunity” for Việt Nam to advance, with innovation as the key to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Việt Nam now ranks 44th out of 133 in the 2024 Global Innovation Index, thanks in part to NIC’s role in driving policy reforms and promoting collaboration across Government, academia and business.

Alongside policy support, the Government is boosting AI infrastructure and talent.

Since launching its national AI strategy in 2021, Việt Nam has this week named AI among 11 strategic technologies and 32 priority product groups, helping to attract investment from global giants such as Google, Meta, and NVIDIA. Meanwhile, Vietnamese firms such as Viettel, FPT and CMC are ramping up data centre and digital infrastructure development.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng speaks at the event. — VNS Photo Mai Hương

“Science, technology and innovation are not only engines of economic growth but also the essential path to building a prosperous Việt Nam – boosting labour productivity, national competitiveness, protecting the environment, responding to climate change, and improving people's quality of life,” the Deputy PM said.

He called on Google to continue close collaboration with NIC, businesses, universities, research institutes, and experts to shape a shared vision, set goals and implement concrete actions.

Key priorities include establishing an AI research and training centre; building a high-quality AI workforce; launching a national AI literacy programme; creating a thriving AI innovation ecosystem; and developing a legal framework for safe, ethical AI deployment.

Shaping Việt Nam's AI future

NIC Director Vũ Quốc Huy said the centre and Google had been working together on programmes to build digital talent and support Việt Nam’s start-up ecosystem, focusing on three pillars: talent development, start-up support and developer training.

“The new initiatives announced today are not only a continuation, but also a step forward in our shared commitment. Building on past successes, we aim even higher – to provide solid training and empower a new generation of innovators who will lead the next wave of economic growth in Việt Nam, powered by Google AI,” he added.

The “AI for the Future” initiative, jointly developed by NIC and Google, has supported over 500 Vietnamese startups through training and accelerator programmes. Its new phase will feature two core components: the Google for Startups AI Bootcamp and the AI Solutions Lab, aimed at nurturing the next generation of AI innovators in Việt Nam.

Marc Woo, managing director of Google for Việt Nam and Asia Pacific, said the country holds a unique position to lead the region in AI innovation. He pointed to two main reasons for this belief.

Marc Woo, managing director for Vietnam, Google Asia Pacific, believes Việt Nam has limitless potential to lead the region in AI innovation. — VNS Photo Mai Hương

First is Việt Nam’s strong entrepreneurial spirit. By the end of 2024, the country’s startup ecosystem had grown to over 4,000 companies – a figure on par with other leading ecosystems in the region.

Second is the public’s enthusiastic adoption of AI. The number of startups building AI-enabled products surged from around 60 in 2021 to 278 in 2024. Additionally, 70 per cent of internet users in Việt Nam are reported to use AI tools at work.

With coordinated efforts from businesses, especially start-ups, the public and the Government, AI is forecast to generate between US$120 and $130 billion in value for Việt Nam by 2040.

He affirmed the company would work closely with the Government and policymakers to ensure AI delivers a positive impact aligned with the country’s national AI strategy.

“Việt Nam’s potential is limitless, but to realise it, we must build it together,” he said. — VNS