Applied AI centre planned for Ho Chi Minh City
The proposed partnership would link university research with investors and companies to support commercial uses of artificial intelligence.
Ho Chi Minh City is the planned location for an Applied AI Center of Excellence being developed jointly by innovation platform Plug and Play, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and the city's Startup and Innovation Hub. The initiative targets practical applications for manufacturing, company operations and urban management.
The proposal was unveiled in California at the Plug and Play Silicon Valley November Summit 2026. More than 3,000 participants attended the gathering, including AI specialists, technology entrepreneurs, investment funds and academics. The partners aim to move business challenges through research and testing to commercial use, financing and expansion more quickly.
Responsibilities would be divided among the three partners: the city hub would coordinate local connections, the university would supply research, education and skilled personnel, and Plug and Play would connect the centre with investors, corporate partners and start-up acceleration programmes. University-linked AI centres in the United States are informing the proposed model.
Associate Professor Dr. Bui Quang Hung, the university's president, said the institution would help attract venture funds and international businesses to carry out projects in Vietnam. A March 2027 visit to Ho Chi Minh City is expected to bring Plug and Play executives, venture investors and international technology companies together to take programmes and investment projects forward.
