{"id":871,"date":"2025-08-21T11:26:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T04:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/?p=871"},"modified":"2025-08-21T13:45:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T06:45:58","slug":"the-transformative-role-of-ai-in-vietnams-sme-and-startup-ecosystem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/the-transformative-role-of-ai-in-vietnams-sme-and-startup-ecosystem\/","title":{"rendered":"Vai tr\u00f2 chuy\u1ec3n \u0111\u1ed5i c\u1ee7a AI trong h\u1ec7 sinh th\u00e1i startup v\u00e0 doanh nghi\u1ec7p v\u1eeba v\u00e0 nh\u1ecf t\u1ea1i Vi\u1ec7t Nam"},"content":{"rendered":"
    \n
  1. Vietnam’s Foundational AI Landscape: A Contextual Analysis<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The economic outlook for Vietnam is broadly positive, with a forecast of robust GDP growth in the coming years. A key driver of this optimism is the nation’s burgeoning digital economy, in which AI is expected to play a foundational role. Understanding this landscape requires an examination of Vietnam’s national ambitions juxtaposed with the on-the-ground realities of its business sector.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    1.1 The AI Economy: Ambition vs. Reality<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Vietnam’s AI market has demonstrated impressive scale and growth in recent years. Valued at approximately $750 million in 2024, the market exhibits a robust annual growth rate of 15-18%, which surpasses the global average of around 12%. Projections suggest this momentum will continue, with the market size expected to exceed $3.8 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.31%. This rapid expansion is underpinned by a bold national vision. The government’s National AI Strategy, with a vision to 2030, aims to position Vietnam among the top four countries in the ASEAN region and the top 50 globally for AI research, development, and application. The long-term goal is for AI to contribute up to $130 billion to the national GDP by 2040.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    This ambitious growth narrative is primarily driven by a bifurcated AI ecosystem. On one side are large, well-funded players. Major domestic corporations like FPT, Viettel, VNPT, and VinGroup have established their own dedicated AI research and development centers, leading investments in applied research and domestic product creation. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is also a significant catalyst, with major global tech firms relocating manufacturing and R&D to Vietnam, which in turn boosts domestic AI infrastructure and technology transfer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    On the other side of this dynamic are the small and medium-sized enterprises, which constitute approximately 98% of all businesses in Vietnam. Despite the impressive macro-level figures, the diffusion of AI across this critical segment of the economy remains extremely limited. A 2024 survey found that only about 12% of SMEs had even experimented with AI applications, and the success rate after one year was a mere 5%. This suggests that the headline numbers of market growth are a reflection of a small segment of the economy operating at the technological frontier, while the vast majority of businesses are still on the periphery. The national goals, therefore, represent a future strategic intent rather than a reflection of current market-wide maturity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    1.2 The Paradox of AI Readiness vs. Adoption<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    A compelling aspect of Vietnam’s AI landscape is the clear distinction between the public’s attitude toward the technology and its practical usage. A recent global survey placed Vietnam an impressive sixth worldwide in AI awareness and readiness for adoption. The country ranked particularly high in AI trust (third globally) and acceptance (fifth globally), with a culture that is notably open and optimistic about embracing new technologies. This high level of trust is particularly evident among urban, tech-savvy youth aged 18 to 34, who account for the majority of AI users.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    However, this high level of readiness does not translate to widespread adoption. Vietnam ranked only 17th globally in actual AI usage, with only 3% of urban residents using it on a daily basis. The disparity between the public’s mindset and its actions indicates that the primary barrier to AI integration is not a lack of interest or a cultural aversion to new technology. Rather, the challenge is one of “means” rather than “mindset.” This suggests that the solution is not to convince businesses of AI\u2019s value, as the will to adopt is already strong. Instead, the focus must shift to providing the tangible resources\u2014financial, human, and technological\u2014necessary for effective implementation. The high readiness level is a powerful leading indicator, signifying that the market is culturally primed for a technology leapfrog once the underlying structural barriers are addressed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The Transformative Impact of AI on Vietnamese SMEs: Opportunities & Use Cases<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      For SMEs and startups, the potential benefits of AI are not theoretical. The technology offers a range of quantifiable advantages that can enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes, and create a significant competitive edge in a globalized market.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      2.1 Leveraging AI for Operational Efficiency<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      AI has the potential to automate up to 40% of tasks across various job sectors in Vietnam, offering substantial productivity gains. For businesses that have successfully implemented AI, productivity enhancements can range from 20-30%, with logistical cost savings of up to 30%. This focus on efficiency is a primary driver of digitalization. A study found that 71% of Vietnamese businesses prefer to invest in digital technologies rather than traditional assets like factories or machinery. This preference highlights a pragmatic approach, where technology is not viewed as a luxury but as a core tool for cost management, simplifying financial operations, and optimizing supply chains.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      This focus on efficiency is directly tied to the growing demand for foundational digital tools. The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) market in Vietnam is projected to grow to over $81 million by 2030, driven by the increasing need for streamlined processes and real-time data management. The adoption of ERP systems among SMEs alone increased by 18% in 2024, demonstrating a clear market penetration of these tailored solutions. This indicates that many SMEs are recognizing the need for foundational digitalization as a prerequisite for more advanced AI adoption. The current trend suggests that successful AI implementation is not a broad-based, unguided transformation but a targeted response to specific, pain-point-driven business problems with a clear return on investment (ROI).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      2.2 Key AI Applications in the Vietnamese Market<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      AI applications are gaining traction across several sectors, with a particular focus on areas that offer immediate and measurable benefits.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Retail and E-commerce:<\/span><\/b> This is one of the fastest-growing sectors for AI applications in Vietnam. Retailers are leveraging AI for:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • Demand Forecasting and Inventory Management:<\/span><\/b> Saigon Co.op, a retailer with over 800 outlets, has successfully used AI for demand forecasting, resulting in a 20% reduction in waste due to overstocking of perishable goods.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Logistics Optimization:<\/span><\/b> E-commerce platforms like Tiki have implemented AI to cut delivery times by 20% and lower shipping costs by 12%.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \n
            • Personalized Marketing:<\/span><\/b> Mobile World Investment Corporation boosted its online sales by 25% and increased customer retention by 40% through AI-driven personalized marketing strategies. A smaller retailer, Annam Gourmet, also saw a 10% increase in average transaction value after adopting AI-based customer analytics.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                \n
              • Fintech and Financial Services:<\/span><\/b> AI is a key driver for growth in the financial sector, where it is used for applications like eKYC (Electronic Know Your Customer), fraud detection, and 24\/7 customer service chatbots. These tools are essential for enhancing security and streamlining customer onboarding processes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n
                • Human Resources (HR):<\/span><\/b> The growing complexity of labor laws and the challenges of talent acquisition are driving a demand for specialized HR solutions. Startups are responding by developing AI-powered tools and virtual employees for tasks like recruitment and training. This includes platforms that help businesses create AI-powered personas for customer service and other business applications.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                    \n
                  1. The Persistent Hurdles: Barriers to Widespread AI Integration<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    Despite the clear opportunities and a receptive market, Vietnamese SMEs and startups face deeply entrenched, systemic challenges that hinder the widespread adoption of AI. These barriers are multi-faceted and often self-reinforcing, requiring a coordinated response to overcome.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    3.1 The Severe Human Capital and Talent Gap<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    The most critical bottleneck for Vietnam’s AI ambitions is a profound mismatch between the supply of skilled labor and the market’s demand. Despite a large, young workforce, Vietnam suffers from a severe shortage of skilled professionals in high-tech fields. The country produces approximately 60,000 IT graduates annually, but only about 1,000 have in-depth AI expertise, and fewer than 300 are considered true AI experts. This talent deficit is compounded by a disconnect between academic training and the needs of the labor market, with many graduates working in fields outside of their trained discipline.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    This talent gap creates a self-perpetuating cycle. The lack of experienced senior AI leaders and mentors hinders the effective development of junior talent and prevents companies from successfully scaling their AI initiatives. This absence of a skilled workforce, in turn, reduces the incentive for the educational system to adapt its curriculum to meet modern market demands. Without a strong internal capacity for technological implementation, businesses are ill-equipped to integrate new systems, perpetuating the low success rate of AI adoption.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    3.2 Financial and Infrastructural Constraints<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    For most SMEs, the financial burden of AI implementation is a prohibitive barrier. The high costs associated with data acquisition, infrastructure, and talent acquisition are significant impediments. For example, the cost of training a single AI model can run into hundreds of millions of dollars, making it impossible for smaller firms to compete on a global scale. The problem is compounded by inadequate domestic infrastructure. Vietnam lacks a globally competitive AI supercomputer, forcing companies to rely on costly foreign cloud services like AWS and Azure, which also creates a dependency risk.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    Furthermore, SMEs face a chronic lack of access to affordable capital, a longstanding issue in the country. They often struggle to secure bank loans due to a lack of collateral and fragile financial systems, and they are less successful than their larger, international counterparts in attracting venture capital. This financial barrier, however, is a symptom of a deeper problem. A World Bank study on digital adoption found that even when a technology\u2014in this case, an ERP system\u2014was offered for free, a significant portion of firms failed to sustain its use. The primary reasons cited were “time constraints” and a lack of a dedicated internal “point person” to champion the change. This reveals that the central obstacle is not just the cost of the technology itself, but the lack of internal managerial capabilities and organizational bandwidth required to successfully implement and sustain a large-scale change.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    3.3 Regulatory and Management Hurdles<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    The legal and regulatory framework in Vietnam has not yet fully matured to support the rapid pace of AI development. The absence of a clear regulatory sandbox for new technological experiments and a comprehensive Personal Data Protection Law creates an environment of legal uncertainty. Without a robust legal framework to ensure data privacy and provide clear governance, businesses are hesitant to openly pilot and scale their innovations, often choosing to operate “under the radar” instead. This stifles innovation and limits the potential for data-driven growth.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    Beyond external regulations, internal management practices also present a significant hurdle. Many Vietnamese SMEs are characterized by family-centric organizational cultures with a high power-distance. In such environments, a single leader often drives change, and there can be significant resistance to the cultural, structural, and operational transformations that digitalization demands. For technology adoption to succeed, it requires a champion with sufficient support and autonomy to persuade other staff , a condition that may not exist in traditional hierarchical structures.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. The Strategic Response: Government Policies and Market Initiatives<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      Recognizing these systemic challenges, the Vietnamese government and its surrounding ecosystem are proactively implementing a series of strategic and tactical responses to create a more supportive environment for AI integration.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      4.1 A Proactive Government Roadmap<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      The government has established a clear roadmap for digital transformation and AI development. The National AI Strategy sets ambitious targets for human resource development, the creation of national data centers, and the universalization of basic AI skills among the workforces. Complementing this is the new National Data Strategy, which mandates the development of a unified system of national databases by 2030 to enable seamless data aggregation and sharing across sectors. This is a critical prerequisite for AI, as data is the fundamental raw material that powers AI systems.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      Furthermore, the government is moving from broad declarations to tactical, targeted policies designed to directly address the core financial and administrative barriers facing SMEs. A new wave of support policies is scheduled for 2025-2026, including a goal to cut administrative procedure processing time and costs by at least 30%. Financially, the government is proposing corporate income tax exemptions for startups and SMEs, as well as an annual 2% interest rate subsidy for businesses engaged in green, circular, or ESG-compliant projects. To address land and infrastructure constraints, a new policy will require industrial parks to allocate at least 20 hectares or 5% of their land for high-tech firms, SMEs, and startups. These tactical measures demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the market’s needs and a commitment to creating an enabling environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      4.2 The Role of the Ecosystem<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      The private sector is playing a pivotal role in bridging the systemic gaps. The demand for specialized consulting services is burgeoning, as SMEs increasingly seek external expertise to navigate complex areas like HR and legal compliance. This includes a growing market for ESG strategy consulting, as firms recognize the need to align with global standards to access international markets.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      A powerful trend is the convergence of AI and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Global buyers are tightening ESG requirements, especially in export-oriented, labor-intensive sectors like textiles, footwear, and wood processing. Compliance with these standards is becoming a new prerequisite for accessing global supply chains and attracting capital. AI is a crucial technology for this transition, as it enables the transparent data collection, analysis, and reporting required to meet ESG mandates. Therefore, a company’s investment in AI for internal operational efficiency is also an investment in building the technological foundation necessary to become ESG-compliant. This, in turn, unlocks access to government-supported green finance and international markets, creating a powerful, self-reinforcing cycle of technology adoption.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. Strategic Recommendations for Navigating the AI Shift<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        Based on the analysis of Vietnam’s AI landscape, the following strategic recommendations are offered for key stakeholders.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                        5.1 For SMEs and Startups: A Phased, Strategic Approach<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Step 1: Build a Foundational Digital Core:<\/span><\/b> Before attempting advanced AI, businesses must first establish a solid digital foundation. This includes adopting core technologies like ERP systems and leveraging cloud-based services to manage operations and centralize data.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                            \n
                          • Step 2: Prioritize Targeted AI Adoption:<\/span><\/b> Instead of a broad, unguided transformation, focus on implementing AI applications with a clear, near-term ROI. Start with solutions that address specific operational pain points, such as AI-powered chatbots for customer service or demand forecasting systems for inventory management.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                              \n
                            • Step 3: Invest in Internal and External Human Capital:<\/span><\/b> Acknowledge the internal capacity gap. Actively invest in upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce through lifelong learning programs. Concurrently, leverage external expertise from specialized consulting and HR outsourcing firms to manage complex areas and fill talent gaps in the short term.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                \n
                              • Step 4: Leverage Government Support:<\/span><\/b> Be proactive in seeking and applying for the targeted government support programs now available, including tax exemptions and green finance subsidies, which are designed to lower the financial barriers to technology adoption.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Conclusion: A Path Forward<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                While significant challenges in human capital, finance, and regulation persist, Vietnam’s AI ecosystem is defined by a clear and powerful forward momentum. The high level of national readiness, a vibrant startup culture, and a proactive government\u2014working to build the foundational infrastructure and legislative clarity necessary for AI to scale\u2014demonstrate that the country is on a clear trajectory to become a regional leader. For Vietnamese SMEs and startups, the key to success lies in a strategic, phased approach to adoption. For investors, the opportunity is to back the ventures that are not just building AI products but are solving the core systemic challenges that will unlock the full potential of this transformative technology.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                B\u1ed1i c\u1ea3nh n\u1ec1n t\u1ea3ng c\u1ee7a AI t\u1ea1i Vi\u1ec7t Nam: M\u1ed9t ph\u00e2n t\u00edch theo ng\u1eef c\u1ea3nh Tri\u1ec3n v\u1ecdng kinh t\u1ebf c\u1ee7a Vi\u1ec7t Nam nh\u00ecn chung l\u00e0 t\u00edch c\u1ef1c, v\u1edbi d\u1ef1 b\u00e1o t\u0103ng tr\u01b0\u1edfng GDP v\u1eefng m\u1ea1nh trong nh\u1eefng n\u0103m t\u1edbi. M\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ed9ng l\u1ef1c quan tr\u1ecdng \u0111\u1ee9ng sau s\u1ef1 l\u1ea1c quan n\u00e0y l\u00e0 n\u1ec1n kinh t\u1ebf s\u1ed1 \u0111ang ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n nhanh ch\u00f3ng c\u1ee7a qu\u1ed1c gia, trong \u0111\u00f3 AI \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c k\u1ef3 v\u1ecdng s\u1ebd \u0111\u00f3ng vai tr\u00f2 n\u1ec1n t\u1ea3ng. \u0110\u1ec3 hi\u1ec3u \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c b\u1ed1i c\u1ea3nh n\u00e0y, c\u1ea7n xem x\u00e9t\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":875,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=871"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":873,"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871\/revisions\/873"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxa-vn.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}