Applying AI Technology: The Faster One Wins

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) in the digital era is creating new opportunities for the economy. So how can Vietnam enhance its competitiveness, effectively leverage domestic resources, and integrate more deeply into the global market through the development of AI technology?

Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FPT Corporation: “Enterprises must unite and integrate the strength of the entire nation.” – Photo: VGP/HM

The strong development of AI technology in the current digital era is opening new opportunities for the economy, contributing to improving quality of life, optimizing production processes, and promoting innovation.

In recent times, the Government and the Prime Minister have continuously issued practical policies encouraging and promoting the development of AI technology, creating momentum for domestic corporations and enterprises to participate more actively in developing and applying this technology.

So how can Vietnam enhance its competitiveness, effectively utilize domestic resources, and integrate more deeply into the international market through AI development? Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FPT Corporation, shared his perspectives with the Government Portal from the viewpoint of a technology business leader who brought Vietnamese technology to the global stage 25 years ago.

Challenges and Opportunities

Sir, in the context of AI becoming a global driving force, what opportunities and challenges do you think Vietnam faces on its journey toward becoming a technology-sovereign nation?

Mr. Truong Gia Binh: Artificial intelligence presents Vietnam with unprecedented opportunities and challenges. For the first time, humans can use machines to replace the most complex element — intelligence itself.

The challenge is that if we are left behind in this era, we do not know what the future will hold.

Our biggest advantage lies in Vietnamese culture. Vietnamese people are adaptable, eager to learn, open to innovation, and capable of handling multiple tasks swiftly and effectively.

From our experience expanding globally, there is almost no technology in the world that we cannot master. That reflects the Vietnamese people’s ability to learn quickly.

I want to emphasize that before doing anything, everyone should ask themselves how they can use AI — because by using AI, productivity can increase tenfold, while traditional methods may only

yield a 5–10% improvement in efficiency or profit. This is a crucial factor, and only AI can achieve it.

Recently, the Party and the State have introduced several policies to promote science and technology development, such as Resolution No. 57 and Decision No. 1131/QD-TTg (2025) on the list of strategic technologies and products, in which AI is identified as the top strategic technology group. What is your assessment of this step and its significance for Vietnam’s AI development?

Mr. Truong Gia Binh: President Ho Chi Minh once expressed the dream of seeing Vietnam stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s great powers in our very first year of independence. Since then, our nation has overcome numerous hardships and challenges. The question is how to make that dream come true. Resolution No. 57 of the Party and Decision No. 1131 of the Prime Minister are, in my view, the sparks and breakthroughs that can help Vietnam rise.

The path forward lies in science and technology. Only through science, technology, and innovation can Vietnam become a prosperous and powerful nation.

Among the list of the country’s strategic and breakthrough technologies, AI is listed first. This is a visionary direction, and we must implement it thoroughly.

Applying AI across all areas of life can increase productivity tenfold.

Enterprises Must Unite and Integrate the Strength of the Entire Nation

In this broader picture, what role do you expect Vietnamese enterprises to play in developing AI into a key industry?

Mr. Truong Gia Binh: We have said that every Vietnamese citizen should use AI in their daily work — and the pioneers must be enterprises, especially Vietnamese technology companies.

These enterprises have an advantage. Over 20 years ago, Vietnam made the decision to go global, putting its name on the world’s digital map. Through this journey and relentless effort, the nation has built a technological workforce of about one million IT professionals. This is a crucial technological resource for the country — and it is now ready to go global.

Additionally, Vietnam has attracted leading global corporations such as Nvidia, which has chosen Vietnam as its second home. Recently, Qualcomm — the world’s leading semiconductor company — also came to Vietnam, along with many other semiconductor firms.

We have also built our own AI infrastructure by investing in AI factories both in Vietnam and in Japan.

What is most needed now is for businesses to unite — to integrate the collective strength of the entire nation and move forward together.

Every Citizen Must Be a Soldier on the AI Frontline

How do you expect young people and the startup community to participate and contribute to Vietnam’s journey toward becoming a strong AI nation?

Mr. Truong Gia Binh: Recently, we established the Au Lac AI Alliance. The name “Au Lac” was chosen to emphasize Vietnam’s national sovereignty — sovereignty in technology and sovereignty in AI.

Currently, there are about 20 enterprises participating, but we are confident that most Vietnamese companies — and Vietnamese communities abroad — will soon join.

We hope that every person becomes a “soldier” on the AI front. The first phase is raising awareness that AI will help Vietnam stand shoulder to shoulder with developed countries. The second phase is ensuring everyone learns about AI. The third phase is mastering AI technology to safeguard national sovereignty. And in the fourth phase, Vietnamese AI will conquer the world.

How do you hope young people and startups will engage in this effort to make Vietnam a strong AI nation?

Mr. Truong Gia Binh: This is our aspiration, but the question is how to inspire young Vietnamese people to take action. For this reason, the Au Lac AI Alliance has introduced two awards: one is a monthly prize for startup teams, including student teams who may not yet have a startup idea but want to begin; and the second is an annual prize worth USD 1 million — equivalent to the Nobel Prize.

We understand that it may be unrealistic to expect Nobel-level achievements in such a short time, since the Nobel Prize honors scientific accomplishments. The Au Lac AI Grand Prize, however, is meant to encourage Vietnamese youth to embark on their journey in AI and technology.

I sincerely hope that all young Vietnamese will believe that if they are willing to take the leap, there is no reason they cannot achieve great things.

Big Success, Big Rewards

What inspired FPT to create the Au Lac Grand Prize — the largest AI award ever in Vietnam?

Mr. Truong Gia Binh: The initiative came from Vietnam’s leading AI experts gathering to form the Au Lac Artificial Intelligence Alliance. The fact that both international and domestic experts convened to establish this award and its judging council represents a crucial collaboration. The award brings together not only startups and tech companies but also universities and the global Vietnamese community. This is the first time we will witness such unity among Vietnamese people for the nation’s future.

In fact, 25 years ago, FPT ventured into the global market — and we worked alone for many years. This time, we hope not only for companies to advance in AI but also for every citizen to join in. Only when the entire nation works together can we achieve great success.

Therefore, the Au Lac Grand Prize aims to inspire all Vietnamese people to engage in AI. That is why we established it — and why it carries such a significant reward.

The Faster One Wins

What message would you like to send to the Government, the business community, and especially young Vietnamese people as we work together to conquer AI and elevate Vietnam into a leading technology nation?

Mr. Truong Gia Binh: We are envisioning a future where Vietnam’s labor productivity increases tenfold — and when that happens, Vietnam will naturally become one of the world’s most advanced nations. The key now is speed: whoever moves fastest, adopts AI most broadly, and integrates it most deeply across all areas of life will be the winner.

I believe this is our national destiny — and when it comes to destiny, we must believe and act upon it. I hope the Government will continue to lead and guide all enterprises in developing and applying AI so that our administration becomes one of the most modern and effective in the world.

We also hope that major national technology initiatives will be implemented, and that the Government and the Party will continue to place their trust in all Vietnamese — whether they work in state-owned enterprises, private businesses, or overseas communities. Together, we are one collective force — and this shared belief will carry Vietnam to new heights of glory.

Sincere thanks to you!

Hien Minh (Interviewer)

According to the Government Portal (chinhphu.vn)