Vietnam outlines AI priorities spanning laws, talent and infrastructure

Vietnam is putting legislation, talent development and its AI ecosystem at the centre of efforts to use artificial intelligence to transform the country, Science and Technology Minister Vu Hai Quan said on October 28.

Addressing a ministerial roundtable during Vietnam International Digital Week 2026 in Quang Ninh city, Quan said the country views AI as a strategic technology for raising productivity, changing its growth model and strengthening competitiveness.

Vietnam has enacted laws covering artificial intelligence, data and digital transformation, he said. It is also pursuing regulation based on risk, regulatory sandboxes and the creation of a national fund for AI development.

The minister said workforce priorities include training within Vietnam and attracting leading specialists, overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and international talent. He also called for closer ties between government, companies, universities and research institutes.

Investment is going into computing resources, open data and AI models in Vietnamese, alongside support for startups, Quan said. Other efforts include extending 5G coverage across the country and teaching digital skills in villages and hamlets.

Quan urged countries to balance broad connectivity with powerful computing infrastructure, draw on private-sector resources and develop energy-efficient systems. He said compatible rules and trusted cross-border data flows were increasingly important.

To turn cooperation into practical projects, he proposed regular exchanges between regulators, joint research and collaboration on talent development. Priority should go to projects that meet practical needs and can be implemented and expanded, he said.