Report outlines directions to advance Vietnam’s AI economy

At the ceremony, Vu Quoc Huy, director general of the NIC, said that Vietnam is entering a particularly important transition period, with new breakthroughs in strategic technologies such as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, renewable energy, and big data that are reshaping the global value chain and changing the structures of economies.

"AI is emerging as a central driving force of this revolution, with a forecast scale of contributing up to $5 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Vietnam is determined to participate and establish a solid position in this key field by promoting extensive cooperation with the world's leading countries, economies, and technology corporations," he emphasised.

The report is the first document to provide a comprehensive picture of the AI ​​economy in Vietnam, providing international experiences for AI development and analysing opportunities in key economic sectors, while proposing development pillars for the AI ​​economy. This will be a useful reference document, helping central and local state management agencies, organisations, businesses, and individuals build plans and solutions for the development and application of AI technology.

Kubo Jicho, senior representative of JICA Vietnam, said that in response to rapid global digital transformation, JICA established the JICA DX Lab in 2022, a dedicated initiative to accelerate digital innovation in developing countries.

"The report offers a comprehensive analysis of Vietnam’s AI landscape and its vast potential. By providing these insights and strategic recommendations, the report serves as a valuable roadmap for policymakers, enterprises, academia, and investors to collaborate effectively in accelerating Vietnam’s AI-driven transformation," he said.

The launch of the Vietnam AI Economy Report 2025

According to the report, AI has emerged as a global transformative force, ranking as a top priority for digital transformation agendas across governments and leading enterprises. By 2030, AI is forecast to add $5 trillion in value to the global economy.

Vietnam is rapidly embracing this digital revolution, positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital economy with an impressive annual growth rate of 20 per cent. The Vietnamese government has taken steps to drive national digital transformation.

AI is expected to become a catalyst for sustainable growth, with the size of Vietnam’s AI economy anticipated to reach $120-130 billion in 2040 based on BCG’s estimates. This growth will stem from both consumption-driven revenue growth ($45-55 billion) and productivity-enhancing profit uplift ($60-75 billion). This presents a significant opportunity for Vietnamese businesses and policymakers to harness AI’s full potential and solidify the country’s role in the global digital economy.

To capitalise on AI’s vast opportunities, Vietnam has established a strong foundation for AI development, prioritising it as a national strategic pillar for 2030. Policies are being implemented to support human capital development, AI startups, and research and development, while AI adoption is gaining traction in the private sector.

In 2024, Vietnam ranked second in Southeast Asia in terms of AI-focused startups and investment, reflecting growing interest in AI integration. A critical enabler of this progress is the country’s expanding IT and digital workforce, with more than 150 universities offering IT-related courses and more than 60,000 IT graduates entering the workforce annually.

With strong foundations in place, strengthening key growth drivers and enabling factors will accelerate long-term growth and enhance global competitiveness. The report points out three high-level development pillars that will directly advance Vietnam’s AI economy.

First, expansion in AI adoption across both the public and private sectors is the key to unlocking exponential growth for the AI economy. It requires high-impact sectors to be clearly identified, such as government services, the environment, disaster management, healthcare, financial services, and transportation as near-term priorities. A phased development approach can be adopted to define quick wins and scale to long-term applications with an agile mechanism.

Second, Vietnam's growing community needs structured support to scale and compete in both the domestic and international markets. Supportive national funding programmes will assist startups gain access to low-cost financial resources for business operations. A strong startup ecosystem will generate new AI applications and enhance Vietnam’s position as a hub for AI development.

Third, building a deep talent pool demands internationally standardised AI curricula for bachelors, masters, and PhDs, as well as deploying best-in-class AI talent development courses at scale. Strategic partnerships with global research labs and corporations through structured joint research and development initiatives will provide Vietnamese talents with exposure to cutting-edge AI challenges and real-world tools.

According to the report, beyond these pillars, which directly drive AI adoption and innovation, strengthening the foundational pillars of Vietnam’s AI economy requires additional focus on three supporting pillars.

First, increasing AI literacy and awareness among both the public and professionals is required to drive widespread adoption. Scalable initiatives such as online platforms or the integration of AI into education will bridge the gap in AI literacy in topics such as risks and ethics, equipping individuals and businesses with the knowledge needed to integrate AI effectively and safely. By fostering a culture of AI awareness and education, Vietnam can create a more AI-ready society, positioning itself as a regional leader in AI-driven innovation.

Second, accessibility to high-quality data and computing infrastructure remains a cornerstone of Vietnam’s AI growth. Significant progress has been made in developing data infrastructure, particularly with the establishment of the country's first National Data Centre. To build on this momentum and align with government policies and regulatory frameworks set by ministries, expanding access to quality data for small businesses, universities, and research institutions will accelerate AI research and market innovation.

Third, clear and adaptive policies will provide a foundation for sustainable AI development. As Vietnam continues shaping regulations on AI risk management, ethical guidelines, and intellectual property, integrating these frameworks into national and local strategies will give businesses and researchers a clearer direction.

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