Vietnam has set an ambitious course to become a formidable player in the global artificial intelligence landscape. The government’s recently approved National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence to 2030, with a vision extending to 2045, outlines a sweeping transformation.

The plan shifts the country’s approach from simply embedding AI into products and services to positioning AI as a core competency that drives problem identification, design, organization, and operations. This new move reflects a recognition that AI is not just a tool but a foundational force capable of reshaping governance, business, and society.

The strategy envisions Vietnam as one of the leading centers for AI research, development, and application in ASEAN and Asia by 2030, and calls for the creation of ten internationally competitive AI brands and at least eight Vietnamese-language AI models. By 2045, the country aims to rank among the top ten nations in Asia for AI research and mastery, using the technology as a strategic lever to escape the middle-income trap and achieve high-income status.

With this plan, AI is expected to become deeply integrated into national governance, public services, production, scientific research, and everyday life, driving productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.

Human capital development sits at the heart of this strategy. Vietnam plans to train at least ten million workers in basic AI skills within the next four years, while also cultivating elite AI talent and attracting global experts, including overseas Vietnamese. This effort underscores the belief that a skilled workforce is essential to sustaining innovation and ensuring that AI adoption permeates all levels of society. Alongside workforce development, the country will build shared national AI platforms, expand data infrastructure, and strengthen cloud computing and AI data centers to support research, training, and deployment.

The roadmap also emphasizes the creation of an AI-native business ecosystem. Small and medium enterprises, cooperatives, and household businesses will be encouraged to adopt AI solutions, ensuring that the benefits of the technology extend beyond large corporations. The government intends to foster an environment where AI products and services can be commercialized and exported, positioning Vietnam as a hub for AI innovation and solutions in the region and beyond. Governance of AI will be designed to ensure safety, reliability, and accountability, reflecting the importance of trust in widespread adoption.

Political leadership has reinforced the urgency of this mission. General Secretary and President Tô Lâm has called for concentrated efforts to master strategic technologies, including AI, robotics, UAVs, and semiconductor chips. This directive highlights the broader vision of technological sovereignty and the desire to produce tangible outcomes that strengthen national resilience and competitiveness.

The country seeks to harness AI to redesign management systems, improve service delivery, and create new growth models. The scale of ambition is striking, and the timeline is aggressive. Success will depend heavily on sustained investment, international collaboration, and the ability to balance rapid innovation with responsible governance.