Vietnam Unveils Ambitious National AI Strategy, Aims for Top 3 in Southeast Asia by 2030

HANOI – Vietnam has rolled out a significantly updated National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, charting an ambitious course to cement its position as a leading AI powerhouse in Southeast Asia by 2030 and a key player in Asia by 2045. Announced on August 28, this new strategic roadmap replaces a prior decision from 2021, underscoring the government's heightened commitment to integrating AI into the fabric of its economy and society, driving innovation, and enhancing national competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global technology landscape.

Quick summary

• Vietnam’s government has enacted a new National AI Strategy to 2030, vision 2045, replacing a 2021 decision, effective immediately.
• The strategy aims for Vietnam to be among the top three Southeast Asian nations in AI research and development by 2030, with AI contributing approximately 6% to its GDP.
• Key economic targets include a 10-15% increase in labor productivity for AI-enabled industries and $5 billion in AI product and service exports by 2030.
• Human resource development is a core focus, targeting 10,000 high-level AI experts and 50,000 university-educated AI-capable professionals, alongside retraining half a million workers and providing basic AI skills to 10 million laborers.

Why it matters

This revised national AI strategy signifies a critical juncture for Vietnam's economic and technological trajectory. By setting clear, aggressive targets for AI integration and development, the government aims to unlock substantial economic growth, moving beyond traditional manufacturing towards a knowledge-based economy. For businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the strategy promises an environment ripe for innovation and digital transformation, potentially leading to increased efficiency and new market opportunities. For the workforce, it emphasizes upskilling and reskilling initiatives, preparing millions of Vietnamese citizens for the demands of an AI-driven future, thus mitigating potential job displacement while fostering new career paths in emerging tech sectors. Moreover, the focus on 'Make in Vietnam' products and AI-native enterprises is crucial for establishing national technological sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign solutions. This strategic push could also enhance the quality and accessibility of public services, improving citizen satisfaction and national governance through AI-powered decision-making.

Background

The latest National AI Strategy builds upon and supersedes the Decision 127/QĐ-TTg, which was issued on January 26, 2021. The previous strategy laid foundational groundwork, acknowledging AI's potential for national development. However, the rapid pace of global AI advancements, characterized by breakthroughs in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, likely necessitated a more ambitious and comprehensive update. Globally, nations are in an escalating race to master AI, recognizing its transformative power across defense, economy, and social welfare. Countries like Singapore have already established robust AI frameworks, while others are heavily investing in AI infrastructure and talent. Vietnam's decision to update its strategy reflects an understanding that a more proactive, integrated, and forward-looking approach is essential to remain competitive and capture the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The formal announcement by Mr. Nguyen Khac Lich, Director General of the Department of Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence under the Ministry of Science and Technology, during a press briefing on August 28, 2026, marks the official commencement of this intensified national endeavor, signaling a strategic pivot towards a more deeply AI-integrated future.

Guiding Principles and Ambitious Targets for 2030

The newly unveiled strategy is underpinned by six core principles designed to ensure a coordinated, human-centric, and secure AI development path. These include unified leadership and centralized management, placing human well-being at the core of all AI initiatives, ensuring widespread AI literacy across the population, and safeguarding AI safety, security, and national sovereignty. Crucially, the strategy positions Vietnamese AI enterprises as the primary drivers of innovation, emphasizing the development of 'Make in Vietnam' products and fostering the growth of AI-native businesses.

By 2030, Vietnam envisions itself not only as a regional leader in AI research, development, application, and value co-creation within ASEAN and Asia but also achieving significant economic milestones. The strategy projects AI's contribution to GDP reaching approximately 6%, with a targeted 10-15% increase in labor productivity across sectors adopting AI. Furthermore, it aims for AI product, service, and solution exports to hit around $5 billion.

Transforming Public Services and Workforce for the AI Era

Beyond economic metrics, the strategy outlines ambitious goals for widespread AI adoption and societal impact. By 2030, it aims for 60% of businesses to leverage AI to enhance operational efficiency, and a remarkable 100% of public officials and civil servants are expected to use AI for official duties weekly. The strategy also targets 60% of executive decisions to be supported by data and AI, anticipating at least a 30% increase in satisfaction with AI-powered public services.

Human capital development is a cornerstone of this strategy. Vietnam plans to cultivate 10,000 high-level AI personnel and 50,000 university-level professionals capable of applying AI. An extensive reskilling program aims to train or retrain 500,000 workers for AI operations, alongside equipping 10 million trained laborers with fundamental AI skills. While earlier drafts mentioned specific support for 500,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, business households, and cooperatives, the current public release emphasizes broad human resource development.

Vision 2045: A Dominant AI Platform for National Operations

Looking further ahead to 2045, Vietnam’s vision is even more expansive: to be among the top 10 Asian nations in AI research, development, mastery, and national AI transformation. By this time, AI is expected to serve as the dominant operational platform for the State, the economy, and society at large, signifying a complete integration of AI capabilities into national infrastructure and daily life.

Nine Pillars and Six Breakthrough Solutions

To achieve these far-reaching goals, the strategy identifies nine critical pillars for development:

1. Human resources and universal AI skills
2. Data and AI models
3. AI infrastructure
4. Research and technology mastery
5. AI in national governance
6. AI for specific industries and fields
7. AI for small businesses, households, and cooperatives
8. AI ecosystem development
9. Safe and trustworthy AI governance

Accompanying these pillars are six groups of breakthrough solutions, including refining institutional frameworks, policies, and laws; enhancing national coordination; mobilizing resources; fostering international cooperation and standard-setting; promoting responsible AI culture and communication; and establishing robust measurement, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms. The implementation will adhere to the '6-clear' principles: clear personnel, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, products, and authorities.

Implementation and Oversight

The entire strategy is meticulously detailed with 32 specific indicators and 97 tasks categorized into 14 groups. Each task clearly specifies the lead agency, expected outcomes, and completion timelines. The Ministry of Science and Technology has been designated to lead the implementation, inter-agency coordination, supervision, and evaluation, with annual reports to the Prime Minister, ensuring consistent progress and accountability.

Qnews24h insight

Vietnam's updated National AI Strategy represents a bold and comprehensive blueprint, distinguishing itself through specific, quantifiable targets and a multi-layered implementation framework. While the ambition to become a top-tier regional AI player by 2030 is significant, the strategy's strength lies in its holistic approach: recognizing that technological advancement must be coupled with human capital development, robust infrastructure, supportive policy, and an emphasis on ethical governance. The 'Make in Vietnam' focus, alongside dedicated programs for SMEs, is critical for translating national strategy into grassroots economic impact. However, the true test will be in the execution – navigating global talent competition, securing substantial funding for research and infrastructure, and adapting to the rapid evolution of AI technology itself. The clarity of '6-clear' principles and the dedicated oversight by the Ministry of Science and Technology provide a strong foundation, but sustained inter-ministerial cooperation and private sector engagement will be paramount to convert these impressive aspirations into tangible, sustainable progress that elevates Vietnam's standing in the global digital economy.

Sources

• Việt Nam hướng tới vào top 3 dẫn đầu Đông Nam Á về AI | Znews.vn

FAQ

What is the main goal of Vietnam's new National AI Strategy?

The main goal of Vietnam's new National AI Strategy is to position the country among the top three leaders in AI research, development, and application in Southeast Asia by 2030, with a broader vision to be among Asia's top 10 by 2045.

How will AI contribute to Vietnam's economy according to the strategy?

The strategy projects AI to contribute approximately 6% to Vietnam's GDP by 2030. It also aims for a 10-15% increase in labor productivity for AI-enabled industries and forecasts around $5 billion in AI product, service, and solution exports.

What are the key human resource development targets in the AI strategy?

By 2030, Vietnam aims to develop 10,000 high-level AI experts, 50,000 university-level professionals with AI application skills, retrain 500,000 workers for AI operations, and provide basic AI skills to 10 million trained laborers across the country.

What role do Vietnamese businesses play in this new AI strategy?

Vietnamese AI enterprises are designated as the primary driving force for AI development, with a strong emphasis on fostering 'Make in Vietnam' AI products and solutions. The strategy also includes specific pillars and solutions to support AI adoption and development within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), business households, and cooperatives.