As Vietnam charts a clear path towards fulfilling its 2030 vision, Government-led initiatives are turbocharging innovation, funding, and global partnerships to build a thriving AI startup ecosystem.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has unveiled a new initiative set to revolutionise the nation’s AI startup ecosystem, aiming to establish Vietnam as a leading AI hub in Southeast Asia by 2030.
By leveraging substantial funding, expert mentorship, and strategic global partnerships, the program is designed to accelerate innovation and growth, driving the country closer to its ambitious AI leadership goals.
Vietnam’s AI sector is already on a strong upward trajectory. In 2024, the AI market was valued at approximately USD 753.4 million and is expected to grow at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of nearly 15% through 2030.
This growth is fueled by increased investments from both government and private sectors, signaling rising confidence in Vietnam’s AI potential. Central to this push is the government’s planned allocation of USD 1 billion dedicated to supporting AI infrastructure, research, and startups.
A cornerstone of MIC’s initiative is direct financial backing for AI ventures. The recently established National Data Development Fund, with an initial capital of VNĐ1 trillion (around USD 38.4 billion), is a major government effort to boost digital infrastructure and data governance.
Managed by the Ministry of Public Security, this fund prioritizes AI, big data, and emerging technologies, offering crucial financial resources to promising startups aiming to scale.
Mentorship and capacity building are equally vital. The National Innovation Centre (NIC), under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, has teamed up with Google to launch the “Build for the AI future” initiative.
Since July 2024, this program has empowered Vietnamese AI startups through access to Google’s AI experts and cutting-edge cloud technology via the Google Startup AI Space. Complementing this, the “Google for Startups Accelerator Southeast Asia – Vietnam” offers intensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, helping startups accelerate product development and market entry.
International collaboration is a strategic pillar of Vietnam’s AI ambitions. The NIC’s partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) birthed the AI Startup Accelerator Program Pilot in July 2025, offering tailored mentorship, technical training, and business matchmaking for 10 to 15 selected startups over a 4.5-month period.
These collaborations integrate Vietnamese startups into global innovation networks, opening doors for knowledge exchange and investment.
Vietnam’s government and partners also focus on democratizing AI knowledge through initiatives like the “AI for All” program, launched in April 2025 with Intel. This effort aims to equip a broad base of individuals with foundational AI skills, nurturing a talent pipeline critical to a sustainable AI ecosystem.
The current funding landscape reflects these priorities. Private investment in Vietnamese AI startups surged eightfold from USD 10 million in 2023 to USD 80 million in 2024, with Singaporean and Japanese investors leading the charge.
While early-stage funding is relatively accessible, attracting larger sums for growth-stage startups remains a challenge, often necessitating foreign capital. Notably, sectors like agritech have seen remarkable investment growth, highlighting the expanding scope of AI applications.
Mentorship programs are evolving to meet the needs of a growing startup community. Alongside government-led efforts, independent accelerators like Founder Institute Vietnam and corporate-backed programs from AWS contribute technical expertise and industry connections.
These diverse initiatives ensure startups receive specialized guidance across different AI verticals, including the rapidly advancing field of Generative AI. Looking ahead, recent reports claim that Vietnam aims to deepen and diversify its AI ecosystem by increasing domestic capital availability and bridging gaps in later-stage funding.
