Tech giants bet big on Vietnam's future

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NVIDIA announced during CEO Jensen Huang’s trip to Vietnam last week that they will cooperate with the Vietnamese government to establish an AI research and development (R&D) centre and an AI data centre in the country.

As the world’s most valuable company, NVIDIA is set to support the whole tech industry with its investment, according to Jeff Nijsse, a senior lecturer of software engineering at RMIT University. “NVIDIA is not the first big tech company to enter Vietnam, but they are the biggest AI company,” he emphasised.

The proposed Vietnam R&D centre has an ambitious vision: developing platforms enabling NVIDIA and its partners to nurture AI innovation. Researchers and startups can use this infrastructure to develop AI applications for key industries such as healthcare, education, transportation, and finance.

According to Nijsse, “AI models get trained on graphics processing units, which are NVIDIA’s main product, but they need to ingest a lot of data to produce useful software. Such data is becoming more and more valuable.

“Vietnam’s large population is attractive from a data perspective, but we must be cautious about how data is collected, used, and compensated. NVIDIA’s acquisition of VinBrain gives them a head start in health data, and they will be looking to build products for other industries.”

Furthermore, though the data centre itself may not generate numerous jobs, the positions it does create are highly skilled. And the R&D centre will require research scientists with advanced degrees.

“A data centre is a long-term investment, which means NVIDIA will be looking to support talent pipelining with their research centre, and hopefully other initiatives that involve universities such as scholarships and partnerships,” Nijsse said.

A growing tech magnet

The NVIDIA announcement is part of a broader trend. Last week, Google confirmed the establishment of Google Vietnam, a local entity dedicated to supporting the country’s digital transformation. The company is reportedly hiring for several positions related to Google Cloud, applications, and gaming.

In November, Apple supplier Foxconn announced an $80 million investment in chip manufacturing in Bac Giang province. Meanwhile, Meta plans to expand its VR device production, and SpaceX has expressed interest in investing $1.5 billion in the country.

Sam Goundar, senior lecturer of IT at RMIT University, sees these investments as major milestones. "Vietnam is quickly becoming an important part of the global tech world. These moves show that Vietnam is more than just a low-cost manufacturing destination,” he said.

The country's appeal is multifaceted – a young, tech-savvy population, supportive government policies, and a strategic geographical location.

"Many companies want to move some work out of China," Goundar explained. "Vietnam offers a good mix – proximity to China, affordable costs, and a growing pool of skilled workers. Overall, it is a win for Vietnam, attracting more global investment and strengthening its tech sector."

These investments are also potential catalysts for comprehensive innovation. Sreenivas Tirumala, senior lecturer of IT at RMIT University views them as “opportunities for social and economic growth” and an aid in “designing and developing a futuristic approach for Vietnam's youth”.

More efforts are still needed to uplift the quality of education, as Vietnam currently faces a big gap in highly skilled tech workers. However, big tech investments promise more exposure to cutting-edge technologies and international corporate environments. There will be more opportunities for young professionals to work in research and innovation, particularly in AI, as these companies are always craving new technological advancements.

“Though big tech companies have their in-house IT services, there are quite a few services that they outsource. Reputable and high-value tech giants like NVIDIA and Google will not just provide employment opportunities but will encourage young people to create their startups to provide services to the big tech companies,” Tirumala added.

The investments can also prompt Vietnam to create its own identity in the tech scene in Southeast Asia. “Tech giants coming to Vietnam is exciting, but we need to make sure this helps the country. Vietnam should work on its tech scene, not just be a place for big companies,” Goundar commented.

“This means helping local startups, getting schools to team up with businesses, and making rules that help new ideas grow. The goal is for Vietnam to lead in AI and tech, not just follow. If we do this right, these investments could kick off something amazing for the country.”

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