At a dialogue with NVIDIA in Ho Chi Minh City on September 23, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized that Vietnam has entered a decisive stage in the development of artificial intelligence (AI). He expressed Vietnam’s expectation that NVIDIA would not only act as a strategic investor but also accompany the country in shaping the legal framework, including the forthcoming AI Law scheduled to be submitted to the National Assembly.
According to Deputy PM Dung, the AI Law and its accompanying regulations are urgent to ensure a legal foundation for research, application, and commercialization of AI in Vietnam. He stressed that Vietnam is aiming to develop “sovereign AI”—ensuring autonomy over data, infrastructure, and human resources—while minimizing dependency and better controlling potential risks associated with high technologies.
Seven areas of cooperation proposed to NVIDIA
During the session, the Government of Vietnam outlined seven key areas where it hopes to deepen cooperation with NVIDIA:
- Acting as a strategic investor, supporting the implementation of Resolution 57 on science, technology, and innovation.
- Assisting Vietnam in building sovereign AI by providing core technologies, infrastructure, and ecosystem development.
- Contributing to the drafting and completion of Vietnam’s AI Law and related regulations in line with global trends, while safeguarding national interests.
- Expanding collaboration in training and research, linking NVIDIA with universities, research institutes, and startups in Vietnam.
- Developing high-quality human resources, including opportunities for Vietnamese students and engineers to join NVIDIA’s AI Academy and the Jensen Huang Scholarship Fund.
- Supporting the creation of a startup ecosystem in AI, in partnership with the National Innovation Center (NIC) and venture capital funds.
- Co-hosting NVIDIA AI Day annually in multiple Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi and Da Nang to spread knowledge and foster connections within the AI community.
Seizing the momentum
Vietnam and NVIDIA have already taken initial steps in research collaboration, R\&D infrastructure, and technology events. However, Deputy PM Dung stressed that these are only the beginnings. Vietnam hopes to go further, with the ambition of becoming NVIDIA’s “second home” and a regional hub for AI innovation.
He reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to creating favorable conditions for global tech corporations, emphasizing that NVIDIA’s involvement in both ecosystem building and lawmaking would help Vietnam shorten the gap and realize its aspiration of becoming a leading AI nation in the region.
Opportunities and challenges
Experts note that Vietnam’s proactive approach—inviting NVIDIA to participate in legislative development—signals a forward-looking strategy of “keeping pace with technology” instead of lagging behind. Yet to fulfill this ambition, Vietnam must accelerate institutional reforms, expand digital infrastructure, and train an internationally competitive AI workforce.
“AI is not just an economic tool, it is a matter of national capacity. This is the moment for Vietnam to act decisively if it wants to break through,” an expert observed.
