At the ceremony where VNPT received the title Labor Hero, VNPT CEO Huynh Quang Liem directly petitioned Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to entrust the group with developing national-scale artificial intelligence products to help Vietnam move quickly into the AI era.

In the National AI Strategy program, for the item on deploying and operating a national GPU system for large-scale data processing and complex computation, Huynh Quang Liem asked that VNPT be allowed to take the lead in deployment and operations under a “state invests - enterprise operates” model.

He noted that this model is already being adopted in countries such as South Korea, Singapore, and the UAE, as a way to mobilize resources effectively and accelerate a robust, sustainable national AI ecosystem. According to him, this is an essential pathway to assert technological sovereignty, data sovereignty, and especially AI sovereignty for Vietnam.

The VNPT chief further requested that the Government formally assign VNPT the mandate to build a Vietnamese large language model as the foundation for homegrown AI applications created by Vietnamese engineers, with Vietnamese language placed at the core. He framed this as a mission to preserve and amplify cultural values and national identity.

If assigned, he argued, such a mandate would enable a technology enterprise like VNPT to tackle Vietnam’s grand challenges and create flagship products that are cutting-edge, pioneering, and distinctly Vietnamese, capable of standing alongside and competing with Big Tech in Vietnamese language processing.

From there, the goal would be to advance toward a generative AI model able to handle language, images, audio, and video in a comprehensive way, built with Vietnamese technology for Vietnamese users.

VNPT also proposed that the Government authorize it to roll out a nationwide AI platform and applications that assist civil servants in handling and operating administrative procedures. According to VNPT, this model has been piloted with the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center and has been expanded to provincial and municipal two-tier governments since July 1.

Prime Minister: “VNPT must have a far vision, think deeply, act boldly”

For more than 2 million public officials and employees, VNPT proposed a Government-backed “digital workbench” platform with integrated GenAI to serve as a comprehensive assistant for professional tasks, from messaging and email to video conferencing and intelligent knowledge management.

VNPT said it is piloting this tool internally for more than 30,000 of its own employees.

“Opportunities to implement AI at this scale will give technology enterprises like VNPT the foundation to broaden AI applications into other sectors, serving the needs of Government, citizens, and businesses in Vietnam, and ultimately expanding globally,” Huynh Quang Liem said.

Responding to VNPT’s proposals, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the Government will accompany the group, listen, remove obstacles, and create enabling mechanisms so VNPT can fully leverage its potential, fulfill its mission, and promote positive cultural values. He added that VNPT should proactively recommend necessary mechanisms and policies to the Government.

Speaking earlier about AI, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung said the world is at the opening stage of the AI revolution.
Some industry experts believe the AI revolution will change the world more than all technological revolutions of the past 50 years combined.

Many countries have recognized AI’s importance and issued national AI strategies. The United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union have identified AI as a priority for cooperation and have organized a series of “AI for Good” conferences.

AI’s development brings both opportunities and challenges. Decisions on how to use and govern AI will shape our future.

“We have no reason to lag behind. Our starting line is similar to other countries. Only by leading from the outset can Vietnam change its ranking and become a developed nation. Vietnam can and should become a global hub for AI transformation, AI applications, and AI talent. We have never led in technology or dared to think of conquering the world through technology and its applications, but now is the time for digital technology enterprises to do so. Because AI’s value to humans comes mainly through applications, and applications themselves refine AI, AI application and AI transformation can be the path for us to go global from Vietnam. Our steps may be small, but our vision must be grand, our aspiration burning, and our work tireless - these are the hallmarks of the new generation of digital technology enterprises,” Minister Hung said.

Thai Khang