Vietnam Charts a Responsible Path for AI Development at Hanoi Seminar

Vietnam is positioning itself at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution by prioritising the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), a theme that dominated discussions at a high-profile seminar held in Hanoi on Tuesday. Organised by the Hồ Chí Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), the event brought together politicians, researchers, and digital transformation experts to debate strategic orientations and policies for AI adoption in the country.

The seminar underscored Vietnam’s ambition to harness AI as a cornerstone of national development while addressing the inherent risks it poses across political, economic, cultural, and security domains. With the global race to integrate AI intensifying, Vietnam’s leaders and experts are advocating for a balanced approach—promoting innovation while establishing robust legal and ethical frameworks to govern its use.

AI as a Catalyst for Progress

At the heart of the discussions was the recognition of AI as a transformative technology. Experts at the seminar described it as the linchpin of digital transformation, a process central to the Fourth Industrial Revolution—a term used to describe the fusion of physical, digital, and biological systems driven by technologies like AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things. They argued that responsibly leveraging AI could significantly enhance human intellectual capabilities, offering solutions to complex challenges in governance, industry, and daily life.

HCMA director Nguyễn Xuân Thắng, a key speaker at the event, highlighted the dual nature of AI. “AI brings essential benefits, helping policymakers, businesses, and scientists to accelerate research and create useful applications for everyday life,” he said. “However, it also poses risks that impact all fields, including politics, economics, culture, national defence, and security.” Thắng called for a clear strategic orientation for AI development in Vietnam, urging the formulation of policy solutions to guide its implementation.

This perspective reflects a broader consensus among Vietnam’s leadership that AI, if harnessed correctly, could propel the country towards sustainable development. The technology’s potential to streamline policymaking, boost industrial productivity, and improve public services was a recurring theme, with attendees citing examples such as AI-driven data analysis for urban planning and healthcare diagnostics.

Balancing Innovation with Oversight

A significant portion of the seminar focused on the need for stringent regulatory mechanisms to mitigate AI’s risks. Participants stressed that Vietnam must develop comprehensive laws on AI, alongside amendments to existing legal frameworks, to define the responsibilities, obligations, and sanctions for technology companies and individuals using AI products. Suggestions included the establishment of strict monitoring and inspection mechanisms to ensure compliance and accountability.

The call for regulation comes amid growing global concerns about AI’s potential misuse, from privacy violations to the spread of misinformation. In Vietnam, where digital transformation is accelerating, the stakes are particularly high. Unchecked AI deployment could exacerbate social inequalities or undermine national security, experts warned. They advocated for proactive engagement in international AI forums to align Vietnam’s policies with global best practices while promoting the responsible use of AI on the world stage.

Secretary of the Central Party Committee Nguyễn Duy Ngọc, who also serves as the permanent deputy head of the Steering Committee for Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, reinforced the government’s commitment to technology as a driver of progress. “The Party and State always consider science and technology as decisive factors and the foundation for the sustainable development of the country,” he said. Ngọc pointed to Resolution No 57-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo on 22 December 2024, as a guiding document for breakthroughs in innovation and national digital transformation.

Following this resolution, the National Assembly has approved pilot policies to address obstacles in technological and innovation activities. Ngọc outlined a roadmap to promote strategic data groups and enhance the effective use of digital applications, signaling Vietnam’s intent to build a robust digital ecosystem underpinned by AI.

Vietnam’s Digital Transformation Journey

Vietnam’s focus on AI is part of a broader national strategy to embrace digital transformation. Over the past decade, the country has made significant strides in digitising government services, expanding internet access, and fostering a tech-savvy workforce. Initiatives like the National Digital Transformation Programme to 2025, with a vision to 2030, aim to position Vietnam among the region’s leading digital economies.

However, challenges remain. The rapid adoption of technology has outpaced regulatory frameworks, leaving gaps in data protection and cybersecurity. Seminar participants noted that while AI offers immense potential, its implementation must be accompanied by public awareness campaigns and capacity-building efforts to ensure inclusive benefits. Without such measures, rural communities and small businesses risk being left behind in the digital shift.

Moreover, Vietnam faces the challenge of balancing innovation with cultural and political sensitivities. As a socialist state led by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the government is keenly aware of technology’s implications for social stability and national sovereignty. AI systems, if not properly governed, could be exploited to spread divisive content or undermine state authority—concerns that were subtly echoed during the seminar discussions.

A Global Context for Vietnam’s AI Ambitions

Vietnam’s push for responsible AI development does not occur in isolation. Across Southeast Asia, countries like Singapore and Thailand are also grappling with how to integrate AI into their economies while safeguarding public interest. Singapore, for instance, has established itself as a regional hub for AI innovation through initiatives like the National AI Strategy, which prioritises ethical guidelines and public-private collaboration. Thailand, meanwhile, has introduced policies under its Thailand 4.0 vision to promote smart technologies, though implementation remains uneven.

Vietnam’s approach appears to draw inspiration from these models while tailoring solutions to its unique socio-political context. By participating in international AI forums, as suggested at the seminar, Vietnam aims to learn from global experiences and contribute to shaping norms around responsible AI use. This is particularly critical given the cross-border nature of digital challenges, such as data privacy and cyber threats, which require coordinated regional and global responses.

Speculative Impacts and the Road Ahead

Looking ahead, the implications of Vietnam’s AI policies could be far-reaching, though much depends on execution. If the proposed legal frameworks and monitoring mechanisms are effectively implemented, they may provide a model for balancing innovation with oversight, potentially reducing risks associated with AI misuse. Such measures could also bolster public trust in digital technologies, encouraging wider adoption across sectors like education and agriculture.

Conversely, if regulatory efforts lag or fail to address emerging challenges, Vietnam risks facing issues seen elsewhere—such as algorithmic bias or data breaches. Estimates of AI’s economic impact remain speculative, with no confirmed figures on potential cost savings or productivity gains in the Vietnamese context. As such, while optimism surrounds AI’s transformative potential, it must be tempered with caution until concrete outcomes are evident.

The Hanoi seminar marks a pivotal moment in Vietnam’s journey towards becoming a digital leader in Southeast Asia. By prioritising responsible AI use, the country is laying the groundwork for sustainable growth while navigating the complex interplay of technology and governance. As Nguyễn Xuân Thắng aptly noted, the task now is to translate strategic orientations into actionable policies—a challenge that will test Vietnam’s resolve in the years to come.

With the government’s roadmap for digital transformation taking shape, and pilot policies already in motion, Vietnam appears committed to a future where AI serves as a tool for progress rather than a source of disruption. Whether this vision can be fully realised remains to be seen, but the discussions in Hanoi signal a promising start.