In a strategic move aimed at fortifying Vietnam's standing in the global technology landscape, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung held discussions with NVIDIA's Vice President, Keith Strier on April 22, 2024.

The meeting marks a pivotal juncture in Vietnam's aspirations to emerge as a prominent hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor technologies.

Progressing Towards Partnership

The rendezvous between Minister Dung and Mr. Keith Strier underscores a series of commitments made during a previous interaction between Vietnamese officials and NVIDIA's President and CEO Jensen Huang in December 2023.

These commitments revolve around fostering collaboration in the realms of AI and semiconductor industries, with an aim to leverage Vietnam's burgeoning potential in these fields.

During the meeting, Minister Dung delineated Vietnam's strategic roadmap for advancing its semiconductor and AI sectors. Key focal points included initiatives for human resource development tailored to the semiconductor industry, as well as insights into Vietnam's conducive business investment environment.

The minister also shed light on the policy mechanisms designed to bolster high-tech ventures, particularly those pertaining to semiconductors and AI.

NVIDIA's Exploration and Commitment

Following the deliberations with Minister Dung, NVIDIA's delegation embarked on a visit to the Vietnam National Innovation Center at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park (NIC Hoa Lac), signifying a proactive approach towards understanding Vietnam's technological ecosystem.

Beyond the ministerial meeting, NVIDIA's engagement extends to collaborative efforts with various ministries, branches, and local enterprises in Vietnam.

The delegation's itinerary includes visits to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, where they intend to explore investment prospects and forge partnerships in the domains of AI and semiconductors.

They also aim to assess the landscape for establishing a Center for Research and Development, installing supercomputer systems, and potentially relocating a portion of GPU production for supercomputers to Vietnam.

NVIDIA's Vision for Vietnam

NVIDIA's interest in Vietnam, where it has already invested $250 million, stems from the nation's untapped potential and the conducive environment for technological innovation.

The group's President and CEO Jensen Huang, during his visit to Vietnam in December 2023, expressed a vision to position Vietnam as a pivotal hub for AI innovation and production within NVIDIA's global landscape.

Huang's remarks then underscored Vietnam's strategic advantages, including a robust pipeline of software engineers, a burgeoning STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) culture, and a government committed to fostering technological transformation.

He emphasized AI as a transformative force poised to revolutionize every industry, signaling NVIDIA's eagerness to harness Vietnam's potential in this realm.

NVIDIA's ongoing engagement in Vietnam, marked by successive high-level interactions, underscores a growing synergy between Vietnam's developmental aspirations and NVIDIA's global vision.