Vietnam Seeks Deeper Global Ties in AI and Semiconductors

Vietnam is pushing to expand joint research programs in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor integrated circuits, batteries, energy storage, and biotechnology. This initiative aims to connect Vietnam's development needs with the strengths of institutions like the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). During the visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam to France, a senior vice president at Thales Group highlighted that the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects the growing importance of technological autonomy, resilience, and human resource development. Cooperation with France extends to various fields, including satellite development (VNREDSat-2 project) and the dissemination of AI, digital, and green technologies. Vietnam is also supporting the growth of domestic IT firms like FPT, which aims to expand its presence in French-speaking markets. FPT, present in France since 2008, serves as a technology partner to major enterprises and aims to become one of the top 50 IT firms in France. In relations with Japan, the promotion of concrete projects in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, particularly joint research and the development of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem, has been proposed. With Russia, favorable conditions are seen to build a new phase of more substantive and strategically focused science and technology cooperation, based on decades of partnership and mutual trust. With Israel, Vietnam is exploring collaboration in cybersecurity, having held working sessions with entities like the Israeli Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD). Regarding South Korea's SK Group, its capabilities in finance, technology, and management are deemed aligned with Vietnam's shift towards selective investment attraction in its new growth phase. Vietnam's digital transformation is also contributing to streamlining administrative procedures and creating business opportunities. In Ho Chi Minh City, digitalization in the legal profession aims to ensure technology serves people while legal professionals maintain the quality of services. This is particularly crucial in a metropolis with a large-scale economy and diverse legal needs. Progress in digital infrastructure is also notable, with Vietnam's mobile internet speed ranking 10th globally as of July 2026, according to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. The government is shifting from providing funding to creating an "enabling environment" through infrastructure development, platforms, standards, and markets, aiming to disseminate AI and digital technologies to SMEs and traditional sectors. Vietnam is pivoting towards a strategy that ties AI research and development to economy-wide transformation, positioning AI as a "core capability" from problem identification through design, organization, and operations. This aligns with a Political Bureau resolution to encourage the participation of overseas Vietnamese in scientific and technological development, leveraging them as important strategic resources for the country's advancement. Source: VietnamPlus English