AI Set to Contribute up to US$130B to the Vietnamese Economy by 2040

Vietnam’s ambition to become a leading AI nation in Southeast Asia by 2030 is backed by a robust National AI Strategy and significant private sector engagement. The projected US$130 billion contribution to the economy by 2040 reflects a clear national commitment, with specific targets for data centers, research institutions, and AI application in government services. This top-down strategic push, combined with early adoption in sectors like banking where 74% of institutions actively deploy AI, suggests a strong foundation for growth. However, the success of this strategy hinges on addressing a critical AI talent shortage. The government’s national program to train 100,000 educators and 10 million workers in AI by 2030 is a necessary step. The real challenge will be ensuring the quality and relevance of this training to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving AI landscape, especially in cultivating the 1,500 experts needed for core technology development. International partnerships, such as Qualcomm’s R&D center in Hanoi and FPT’s collaboration with Mila, will be crucial in bridging this gap and fostering advanced AI capabilities within the country.