In 2024, approximately 47,000 new companies adopted AI, bringing the nationwide total to nearly 170,000 - around 18% of all businesses, up from 13% in 2023.

This growth rate equals more than five companies adopting AI every hour, demonstrating the technology’s rising appeal. Of those adopting AI, 61% reported an average 16% increase in revenue, and 58% reduced operational costs by about 20%.

However, most Vietnamese businesses are still using AI for basic tasks such as process optimization and efficiency improvement. Around 74% of companies remain in the exploratory phase, using AI mainly to enhance workflows. Only 17% have reached an intermediate stage, integrating AI into business functions, while just 9% have achieved full transformation, embedding AI at the core of their products and models.

This signals significant potential for businesses in Vietnam to deepen their AI application and progress toward advanced integration.

Startups outpace larger corporations in AI innovation

The study also highlights a stark contrast between startups and large enterprises. Some 55% of startups have adopted AI, with 35% developing entirely new products and services powered by AI. Notably, 91% of startups believe AI will fundamentally transform their operations in the near future.

In contrast, larger corporations lag behind. Only 41% of them are using AI, and just 11% have launched new AI-based products or services. Only 12% have implemented a comprehensive AI strategy.

This gap suggests a two-tier “AI economy” is emerging in Vietnam, with startups demonstrating greater flexibility and innovation than long-established firms.

Key barriers to broader AI implementation in Vietnam

The biggest challenge facing Vietnamese enterprises is the shortage of skilled AI talent, cited by 55% of respondents. Only 24% of companies feel confident in their teams’ AI capabilities, prompting many to offer salary increases of up to 40% to attract qualified personnel.

Compliance costs are also an issue, consuming around 18% of corporate AI budgets. Some 71% of businesses expect these costs to rise over the next three years.

To address these challenges and unlock Vietnam’s AI potential, the report outlines three strategic priorities:

Investing in industry-specific digital skills training to build a workforce ready for AI-powered innovation and growth.

Establishing a transparent, stable, and supportive legal framework to encourage broader AI adoption across all sectors.

Accelerating public sector digital transformation, particularly in healthcare and education, along with public procurement policies that support innovation.

With 69% of enterprises stating that government leadership will accelerate AI application, these public-sector initiatives are seen as crucial to the country's AI-driven progress.

Eric Yeo, AWS Vietnam Managing Director, emphasized: “To maintain Vietnam’s competitiveness in the global market, there must be close collaboration between the government and private sector to address these specific challenges.”

AWS has already established infrastructure in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and has trained more than 100,000 people in cloud and AI since 2017. The “AI Ready” initiative, featuring 30 free Vietnamese-language courses, continues to equip local talent for the AI economy.

At the Cloud Day Vietnam 2025 event held earlier on September 18, Nguyen Anh Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Science and Technology, announced that Vietnam is actively updating its national AI strategy and drafting an AI law. The goal is to establish AI not only as a legal framework but also as a foundational technology infrastructure that supports citizens, fosters sustainable development, and enhances national competitiveness.

Alongside this strategy and legal framework, a nationwide action plan will bring AI into every sector and locality, ensuring that all citizens can access, use, and innovate with AI.

Mr. Cuong also underscored the importance of sustainable AI development through “integration,” not separation - advocating collaboration, shared growth, and mutual success.

He concluded by urging Amazon and AWS to invest directly in building and operating a data center in Vietnam.

Du Lam