NEWS

On August 7, 2025, SAP announced the opening of a new research and development center in Ho Chi Minh City. This initiative comes with a commitment to invest more than €150 million over the next five years, reflecting the company’s strategy to expand its operations in the Asia–Pacific region. This marks a significant expansion in the company’s global R&D operations, reflecting a long-term commitment to the Vietnamese market. As the second SAP Labs hub in Southeast Asia, after Singapore, SAP Labs Vietnam is poised to play a pivotal role in the company’s product development strategy. The facility will focus on key technological areas, including sustainable digital supply chains and intelligent enterprise solutions featuring artificial intelligence (AI).At the time of launch, the center had already recruited over 200 employees (since September 2024) and plans to expand to about 500 employees by 2027. The company is also partnering with universities in Ho Chi Minh City to develop talent pipelines in advanced fields such as AI, data analytics, and software engineering.Vietnam has rapidly emerged as a competitive technology hub in the region, supported by a young, skilled workforce, growing digital infrastructure, and an increasing number of global technology investments. The opening of SAP Labs Vietnam reflects this momentum, positioning the country as a strategic destination for research, innovation, and high-value technology development.Source: TheLEADER

On June 11, 2025, the Australia–Vietnam Strategic Technology Centre (AVSTC) was officially launched at the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) in Hanoi. This initiative marks a new milestone in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and Vietnam, with a focus on accelerating cooperation in emerging technologies.The AVSTC is a joint effort between PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology. The centre aims to drive research and innovation in priority areas, including 5G/6G, AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, quantum technology, and digital infrastructure.The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technology Centre opening ceremonyAustralia has invested AUD 2.1 million in the establishment and early operations of the centre. The AVSTC will also serve as a platform for academic collaboration and talent training.At the launch, covering topics such as AI applications, satellite technologies, and quantum computing. Nearly 100 scholarships were awarded to young Vietnamese professionals, and 19 outstanding women were recognized for their contributions to science and technology through the “Women in Technology and Innovation” initiative.The centre is expected to become a key driver of tech cooperation and innovation between Australia and Vietnam in the coming years.Source: Vnexpress

On June 10, 2025, Qualcomm launched an Artificial Intelligence research and development centre in Vietnam. This move is part of Qualcomm’s global AI expansion strategy and marks a significant milestone in the growing tech partnership between Vietnam and the United States.Qualcomm stated that the initiative supports Vietnam’s strategies in AI, semiconductors, and digital transformation, with a focus on technology transfer, ecosystem partnerships, and talent development. The new AI center will operate in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on innovative technologies such as generative AI, agentic AI, and their applications in smartphones, personal computers, extended reality (XR) devices, automotive, and the Internet of Things (IoT).Qualcomm highlighted Vietnam’s strategic appeal not only in terms of geography but also due to its growing pool of young, innovative engineers. Since 2020, Qualcomm has maintained offices in Vietnam and launched the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge to support local tech startups in developing and commercializing their products.Source: Reuters

The 2025 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductors (AISC 2025) officially opened on March 12 in Hanoi, co-hosted by Aitomatic and the National Innovation Center (NIC). The event highlights Vietnam’s growing role in the global high-tech supply chain.The 2025 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductors (AISC 2025)Speakers at the conference emphasized that this is a key opportunity for Vietnam to establish its position in the regional tech race, strengthen innovation capacity, and foster sustainable development in the high-tech sector. Hosting AISC 2025 also reflects Vietnam’s growing appeal to the international technology community and global investors.Technology experts pointed out that Vietnam is on the right track by prioritizing the development of AI and semiconductors, which are part of the core pillars of the future economy. The country is seen as having strong potential to become a global AI hub soon.Discussions covered emerging technology trends such as AI-driven chip design, advanced semiconductor architecture, and strategies for international cooperation. One notable trend is the use of AI to fully automate chip design processes, which not only boosts performance but also significantly reduces production costs.Participants at the eventIn the financial sector, AI is expected to reshape banking operations, making them more intelligent, secure, and highly personalized. Financial institutions are aiming not only for operational efficiency but also for the creation of seamless digital ecosystems centered on customer needs, with a proactive approach to digital transformation.Survey results shared at the conference show that Vietnam is among the most optimistic countries regarding the future of AI. Vietnamese people are less concerned about job losses and more confident that AI will drive economic growth.As many developed countries face talent shortages due to aging populations and a declining number of skilled professionals, Vietnam is gaining attention for its youthful, dynamic workforce. Experts believe this represents a rare and historic opportunity—and that Vietnam’s young generation must take initiative not only to participate in, but also to lead, the global technology revolution.Source: vietnamnews.vn

As global supply chains continue to evolve and competition intensifies both internationally and domestically, many Vietnamese supporting industry enterprises are exploring the adoption of smart factory models as a practical solution to improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, and meet higher production standards.To support this transition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), in cooperation with Samsung Vietnam, has implemented the Smart Factory Development Support Project since 2022. The initiative focuses on assisting businesses in integrating digital technologies and automated systems into their production processes. Over three years (2022–2024), the project has provided consulting services to 72 enterprises and trained 122 Vietnamese professionals in smart factory development. These efforts aim to help businesses gradually improve their production systems and internal capabilities.The Smart Factory Development Support Project has brought many positive changes to participating enterprises.Through a structured approach combining theoretical training and on-site consultation, participating companies have begun to integrate real-time data collection, analysis tools, and automation into their operations. This allows for more informed decision-making, streamlined workflows, and better control over quality and productivity. In many cases, manual processes have been replaced or upgraded with more automated solutions, helping companies shorten production cycles and respond more effectively to customer demands.The project’s outcomes show that smart factory practices can support enterprises in improving management systems, enhancing production consistency, and aligning with the operational requirements of global partners. Additionally, the training and consulting provided during the program have contributed to building a base of local experts capable of continuing support and improvement efforts beyond the initial implementation phase.In 2025, the program is set to continue with the goal of supporting an additional group of enterprises from both northern and southern regions of Vietnam. The process includes selecting suitable businesses, providing in-depth evaluations, and guiding the implementation of digital production tools and management systems. This includes a period of theoretical training, followed by hands-on consulting aimed at optimizing production sites and laying the groundwork for ongoing improvement. Through the Smart Factory Development Project, Vietnamese enterprises can strengthen their competitiveness to meet global standards across the entire value chain, including product development, manufacturing, and sales.Alongside production improvements, the initiative also contributes to broader goals, such as increasing the localization of manufacturing, enhancing supplier capabilities, and fostering stronger links between Vietnamese enterprises and larger global manufacturers. These efforts are part of a long-term strategy to strengthen Vietnam’s industrial base, in line with national development plans through 2030 and beyond.The partnership between MOIT and Samsung Vietnam reflects a cooperative model between government and business that helps enterprises gain access to resources, expertise, and practical methods for operational improvement. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the program encourages step-by-step adaptation tailored to each company’s specific context.For many businesses, adopting smart factory models is not simply a matter of technology, but part of a broader shift toward more data-informed, efficient, and responsive manufacturing practices. As these efforts continue, they offer participating enterprises a chance to improve competitiveness and better align with the evolving needs of the global supply chain.Source: congthuong.vn

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – May 26, 2025 — The National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) of South Korea, in collaboration with the Vietnam Software & IT Services Association (VINASA), will host the Vietnam-Korea ICT Forum 2025 as part of VIETNAM ICT COMM 2025. The highly anticipated forum will take place from 13:00 to 16:00 on June 12, 2025, at the Seminar Room of the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.Korea - Vietnam Digital Innovation Forum 2025This key industry event aims to strengthen technological exchange and foster digital innovation between Vietnam and South Korea by bringing together leading voices, organizations, and enterprises from the ICT sector of both nations.The forum will feature expert insights and presentations from prominent companies:From Vietnam:TMA SolutionsWATA SoftwareEME SoftOPUS SolutionsFrom South Korea:Megazone CloudinDJBeamWorksPREVENOTICSMedifarmsoftWaycenJIN SysAttendees can expect a dynamic program focused on emerging technologies, smart solutions, and collaborative opportunities to boost regional digital transformation. The event promises to serve as a platform for building strategic partnerships and exploring innovative business models in the rapidly evolving ICT landscape.Registration is now open for all ICT professionals, stakeholders, and enthusiasts via the following link: Register Here