Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Vietnam’s industrial development strategy. As the country transitions from a low-cost manufacturing hub to a high-tech innovation economy, AI investment is accelerating across key sectors—from agriculture and healthcare to manufacturing, logistics, and fintech. Backed by strong government support, growing foreign direct investment, and an emerging domestic AI ecosystem, Vietnam is positioning itself as a rising regional leader in applied artificial intelligence. This shift not only enhances productivity and competitiveness but also aligns with broader goals of sustainable growth and digital transformation.
- 1. Agriculture: Smarter, More Efficient Farming
AI-driven agriculture is taking root in Vietnam, addressing challenges like pest detection, crop management, and climate variability.
- Smart sensor and drone networks: Research prototypes combining LoRa sensor networks with UAVs are enabling real‑time monitoring of soil conditions, plant health, and irrigation needs, boosting productivity and reducing labor and pesticide usage
- National strategy alignment: The AI Landscape Assessment by UNDP emphasizes agriculture as a key vertical for AI expansion, though it flags data standardization and connectivity as bottlenecks
- Digital ecosystem pilots: VNPT’s “Green Digital Agriculture Ecosystem Platform” clinched a top spot in Vietnam’s Sao Khue Awards, indicating early commercial traction
Why it matters: With agriculture accounting for ~20% of GDP and facing climate stress, AI offers a sustainable path forward: optimizing yields, conserving resources, and supporting smallholder farmers.
2. Healthcare & Life Sciences: AI-Enabled Care
AI investment is surging in healthcare, targeting diagnostics, hospital management, and telemedicine.
- Medical imaging & diagnostics: Vinbrain (a Vingroup subsidiary) has produced over 300 AI models for imaging; DrAid launched an AI copilot in December 2023
- Digital records: Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is working on nationwide electronic health record (EHR) readiness, working to overcome standardization challenges
- International collaborations: Fujifilm introduced AI-based cancer screening tools in Vietnam in mid‑2024
Why it matters: Vietnam’s centralized health system and aging population make combined AI—diagnostic tools and data platforms—transformative for care equity and efficiency.
3. Manufacturing & Industrial Automation
Building on its manufacturing legacy, Vietnam is embracing AI-powered automation to leap up the value chain.
- Computer vision & robotics: AI-driven quality control, supply-chain predictive analytics, and automation are gaining traction across electronics, automotive, and textiles
- High‑tech FDI: Vietnam is proactively courting semiconductor fabs, cloud‑AI R&D centers, and energy‑intensive AI hubs as global supply chains decouple from China
- Mega AI factory plans: FPT has revealed plans for a $200 million AI “factory” featuring Nvidia GPUs and software for generative AI and autonomous driving .
Why it matters: For Vietnam’s ambition to shift from low‑cost manufacturing to intelligent, innovation-led production, AI becomes a logical accelerator.
4. Technology & AI Infrastructure
This neck of the woods involves data processing, chip facilities, and R&D hubs, backed by domestic champions and international giants.
- FPT’s AI infrastructure: Beyond its AI factory, FPT is constructing a $174 million AI center in Binh Dinh province, blending research, education, cybersecurity, and software
- Nvidia partnerships:
- In April 2024, a strategic partnership between FPT and Nvidia aimed to scale AI research and train talent using Nvidia chips
- In December 2024, Nvidia signed an agreement with the Vietnamese government to establish an AI R&D center and data center, also acquiring VinBrain
- Cloud & telecom innovation: Viettel, VNPT, CMC, and Vingroup are investing heavily in AI platforms, from telecom-grade AI agents to enterprise service layers National vision: The 2025 AI Economy report values Vietnam’s AI market ~US $750 million, growing 15–18% YoY—outpacing the global average
Why it matters: AI infrastructure investment is essential to support downstream applications across all sectors, both public and private.
5. Education & Talent Development
Talent scarcity is the top constraint; Vietnam is actively training the next generation of AI specialists.
- University engagement: MIT University Vietnam is launching Data Science & AI majors; state universities are partnering with Nvidia, Google, and Microsoft
- FPT University & vocational paths: FPT’s education arm spans university‑level and vocational training; it’s the first corporate university and now supports national AI curriculum
- Upskilling via FDI: Nvidia’s collaboration extends to talent programs, with reskilling aimed at research infrastructure and deep‑tech deployments
- National talent push: UNDP’s AI assessment flags skills development as critical. Vietnam is scaling vocational and degree-level programs accordingly
Why it matters: Human capital is essential to unlock AI potential; nothing works without skilled engineers, researchers, and data specialists.
6. Fintech & Financial Services
With adoption already high, banks and fintech companies are embedding AI to triple down on personalization, credit risk, and automation.
- Top-grossing AI apps: Fintech tops the fastest-growing AI app category, ahead of education, healthcare, and e‑commerce.
- Banking automation: VietinBank, Agribank, and Military Bank have launched AI services like digital assistants and image‑based credit screening, garnering top honors in local awards.
- Vingroup’s Fintech arm: VinID provides loyalty and fintech services to over 7 million users, with AI-level personalization and credit offerings.
- PE interest: Mekong Capital has expanded into agri‑tech and bio‑tech (including fintech leaps) via its recent fundraising bursts.
Why it matters: Fintech is the window where consumers first experience AI, through recommendations, automated approvals, and chatbots, which fuels trust and broader usage.
7. Education (K–12 & Online Learning)
AI is reshaping learning pathways, from personalized tutoring to vocational training platforms.
- Adaptive education tools: AI‑powered platforms are tailoring experiences, from self-learning tools in remote provinces to teacher-support apps in urban schools.
- Corporate and public use: Smart classrooms are being piloted in private universities; public schools are also deploying chatbots and teacher-support systems.
- Startup momentum: Online education startups are raising VC; AI tutoring tools have become the second-fastest growing segment after fintech.
Why it matters: Education is both an AI talent pipeline and a multiplier—gradually nurturing students toward data literacy and computational thinking.
Key Enablers & Overarching Trends
- Strong FDI support: From tax breaks to a $40 billion annual FDI target, the government is actively courting high‑tech deals.
- Ethical & regulatory scaffolding: UNDP and Vietnam’s AI Landscape Assessment emphasize the need for improved data governance and regulatory clarity.
- Global tech partnerships: Collaborations with Nvidia, Fujifilm, Meta, Google, AWS, and Samsung are layering know‑how, capital, and talent into the ecosystem.
- Local champions: Domestic conglomerates like Vingroup (VinBrain, VinID, VinEdu), FPT, Viettel, VNPT are anchor institutions driving adoption and infrastructure.
Final Thoughts
Vietnam’s AI investment is maturing across a multi‑sector portfolio:
- Agriculture & healthcare see targeted AI pilots and pilot-to-scale strategies.
- Manufacturing and industrial automation are modernizing core economic engines.
- Infrastructure and research hubs, like FPT’s centers and Nvidia collaborations, are cementing Vietnam’s standing as a regional AI node.
- Education and fintech are creating both supply (talent) and demand (user adoption) for AI.
Challenges remain: infrastructure, talent shortages, data governance, and ethical mechanisms. Despite this, Vietnam’s $750 million‑plus AI economy, its 15–18 % annual growth, and ambitious government‑and-FDI‑backed roadmap are solid indicators that it’s emerging as a dynamic AI hub in Southeast Asia
