Artificial intelligence (AI) was the central topic of lively discussions at the 2024 Vietnam-South Korea Digital Cooperation Forum, held on November 21 in Hanoi. This forum was a key event during Vietnam International Digital Week 2024.

In his opening remarks, Phan Tam, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, highlighted South Korea’s leadership in digital technology and its importance as a strategic partner for Vietnam. He noted the two countries share common goals and numerous opportunities for collaboration, particularly in building digital governments and developing a skilled digital workforce.

The two nations have engaged in concrete and practical initiatives, such as training programs, capacity building for Vietnamese agencies, consultations on drafting key legislation (e.g., the Law on E-Transactions and the Law on Digital Technology Industry), and implementing the Vietnam-South Korea IT Cooperation Program (ITCP).

Deputy Minister Phan expressed hope that Vietnam could learn from South Korea’s innovative approaches to leveraging digital technology for bridging the digital divide, supporting vulnerable groups, and fostering business partnerships.

Hur Sung Wook, President of the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) of South Korea, emphasized that bilateral cooperation in digital transformation and AI development began in earnest in August 2023 during a visit by Vietnam’s Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Manh Hung. Discussions during that visit explored strategies and potential collaborations in key areas.

Hur expressed optimism that the forum would mark the beginning of a new AI era for Vietnam, unlocking economic potential for both countries through the application of AI in the digital economy.

South Korea's Consul General to Vietnam, Jang Ho Seung, proposed joint efforts to build critical digital infrastructure, establish AI-compatible ecosystems, and lead in developing legal frameworks for AI.

Deputy Minister Phan Tam noted that the internet and digital technologies are driving transformative changes across all sectors of society, offering groundbreaking opportunities in production, governance, and public administration.

One area gaining global attention is the deployment of virtual assistants in government and public services. These AI systems optimize workflows and improve citizen experiences. Examples include:

GoodPy (South Korea): Provides civil issue consultations.

BritGPT (UK) and MyGov Digital Assistant (Australia): Serve public needs through AI-powered government services.
Japan: Employs AI like ChatGPT to draft legal documents and enhance productivity in public offices.
Vietnam has similarly prioritized digital transformation through national programs and strategies, including:

National Digital Transformation Program

Strategies for Developing a Digital Economy and Society
E-Government Strategy Towards Digital Government
National Strategy for AI Research, Development, and Application
National Data Strategy

These efforts have elevated Vietnam’s global rankings:

E-Government Development Index (2024): +15 places, now 71/193.
Global Innovation Index (2024): +2 places, now 44/133.
Global Cybersecurity Index (2024): +8 places, now 17/194.

Vietnam is working on citizen-centered virtual assistants to enhance administrative transparency and improve public service quality. These AI systems will also support officials by facilitating legal research, increasing efficiency, and streamlining processes.

A notable success story is the virtual assistant at Vietnam’s Supreme People’s Court, piloted in 2022. This AI assistant serves as a knowledgeable digital secretary, equipped with legal expertise to interact with judges in natural language. It has processed nearly six million queries, averaging 10,000–15,000 daily interactions, saving approximately 37 billion VND annually.

Trong Dat