From October 27 to 29, the 2025 Vietnam International Digital Week (VIDW 2025) is taking place in Ninh Binh and Hanoi, jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the People’s Committee of Ninh Binh Province.

This year’s event emphasizes strategies, policies, and legal frameworks to ensure AI development and governance in a safe, transparent, and responsible manner.

The International Digital Week is an annual global event, bringing together approximately 800 domestic and international delegates, including ministerial-level leaders, heads of ASEAN delegations, strategic partners like the United States, South Korea, Australia, and representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.

Vietnam promotes an open-source AI ecosystem

Speaking at the event, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung stressed that AI must navigate a "narrow corridor" - between chaos and control, between freedom and fear.

"Our mission is not to slow down innovation, but to guide it with wisdom and responsibility," he stated.

He emphasized that a strong government must protect human values, while an open society must encourage creativity and dialogue.

Only when AI stays within this “narrow corridor” can it truly serve humanity.

Minister Hung described walking this “narrow corridor” as an art of balance - between global and local, cooperation and sovereignty, large tech corporations and startups, technology and application, use and mastery, creativity and regulation, global infrastructure and national infrastructure, open data and protected data, general AI and specialized AI.

He affirmed that an open-source AI ecosystem will enable small countries and startups to develop together and take control of advanced technologies.

Vietnam’s AI development gains international recognition

At the event, UNESCO representative Johnathan Banker praised Vietnam’s impressive AI development, ranking it 26th globally.

Vietnam has a robust digital infrastructure, a high rate of Internet and smartphone users, and strong potential in the AI sector.

However, he also stressed that Vietnam must prioritize data safety, and invest further in data centers and powerful AI platforms.

Phan Quang Ngoc, Chairman of the Ninh Binh People’s Committee, stated that by 2030, Ninh Binh aims to become a centrally-governed city with a modern industrial economy, high-quality tourism services, and green urban development linked to heritage conservation.

Ninh Binh is ready to embrace and apply advanced technologies, including AI, to solve local challenges.

He added that VIDW 2025 offers a valuable opportunity for the province to learn, exchange experiences, and expand cooperation with leading experts, organizations, and tech corporations both domestically and internationally.

It is also a chance to attract investment resources for high-tech development and digital transformation in the region.

AI governance and international collaboration at the forefront

A key highlight of the program is the Ministerial Roundtable on AI Governance held on the morning of October 27.

The roundtable provides a high-level platform for stakeholders to share experiences, initiatives, and policies on responsible AI governance.

It affirms Vietnam’s proactive role, innovation, and commitment to international cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The event also features outdoor technology showcases, where Vietnamese tech companies present their latest digital transformation and AI innovations.

This allows participants and businesses to experience new technologies and explore potential investment and cooperation opportunities with both Vietnamese and international firms.

Within the framework of VIDW 2025, a series of conferences, seminars, and forums focus on six key topics: 5G, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, digital workforce, and digital technology enterprises.

Notable events include the Vietnam-EU Digital Cooperation Forum, the Vietnam-Digital Cooperation Organization Partnership Forum, a conference on sustainable telecom infrastructure, the ASEAN 5G Conference, and a regional seminar on AI-based digital transformation.

Parallel business-matching activities also help enterprises seek new cooperation and investment prospects.

Throughout VIDW 2025, bilateral meetings and cultural-diplomatic programs further promote Vietnam’s image and showcase Ninh Binh to the international community.

Thai Khang