Make in Vietnam Tech Leaders Commit to National Transformation Goals at Sixth Annual Forum

The sixth annual Make in Vietnam Forum has served as a pivotal stage for the nation’s technological vanguard to articulate a unified, ambitious roadmap for national prosperity. As Vietnam navigates the complexities of the fourth industrial revolution, the commitments unveiled by the country’s leading technology corporations signal a decisive shift from adoption to indigenous innovation. These strategic pledges are anchored in the Politburo’s Resolution 57, which outlines a comprehensive framework for accelerating science, technology, and national digital transformation, with clear targets for 2030 and a long-term vision extending to 2045.

The Strategic Framework: Resolution 57

The Politburo’s Resolution 57 acts as the master blueprint for Vietnam’s economic evolution. It prioritizes seven core task groups designed to transition the nation into a high-income, digitally-driven economy. By emphasizing self-reliance in critical technologies—such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced telecommunications—the government is creating a stable policy environment that encourages long-term capital expenditure from both state-owned and private enterprises. This directive serves as a catalyst, compelling firms to align their research and development cycles with the state’s developmental milestones.

Viettel’s Vision: From 5G Dominance to Space Technology

Viettel, under the leadership of Chairman Tao Duc Thang, has positioned itself as the standard-bearer for national connectivity. The corporation’s strategy is structured around a tiered technological rollout. By 2027, Viettel aims to complete the deployment of a fully indigenous, advanced 5G ecosystem, encompassing not just the hardware but the complex transmission networks required for seamless digital integration.

Looking further ahead, the company has set a 2030 horizon for the commercialization of 6G technology, placing Vietnam among the early adopters globally. Beyond telecommunications, Viettel is aggressively pursuing a vertical integration strategy in the semiconductor space. By planning to establish a domestic semiconductor fabrication facility by 2030, the company intends to reduce reliance on volatile global supply chains. Complementing this is their investment in low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite research, a move that underscores the ambition to achieve total connectivity for remote regions, thereby narrowing the digital divide.

The Rise of Sovereign Artificial Intelligence

A significant theme at the forum was the development of "Sovereign AI." VNPT, represented by General Director Huynh Quang Liem, articulated a goal to master the development of a Vietnamese-language Generative AI model by 2027. Unlike generic global models, the VNPT approach focuses on a large language model (LLM) equipped with at least 100 billion parameters, specifically trained on the nuances of Vietnamese history, culture, and legal frameworks.

This focus on local context is intended to address the unique challenges of public administration and specialized professional sectors. Furthermore, VNPT is spearheading the creation of 3D digital twins for major cities and an Internet of Things (IoT) management infrastructure. By 2025, the company plans to centralize smart operations centers across ministries and local provinces, effectively moving the entirety of state administrative software to a cloud-native, digitized environment.

FPT and the Quest for Global Competitiveness

FPT Corporation continues its trajectory toward becoming a global technology powerhouse. Chairman Truong Gia Binh has set a bold target: achieving $5 billion in revenue from international markets by 2030. To support this objective, the corporation is investing heavily in human capital. FPT has committed to a massive training program designed to produce 10,000 semiconductor engineers and 50,000 AI specialists. Furthermore, they plan to provide foundational AI literacy to half a million IT engineers over the next five years, creating a talent pipeline that will sustain Vietnam’s competitive edge in the global digital labor market.

Infrastructure Foundations: Cloud and Semiconductors

The physical infrastructure supporting these digital ambitions is also receiving significant investment. CMC Corporation, led by Chairman Nguyen Trung Chinh, is focusing on the "CMC Cloud" platform, aiming to establish it as the premier cloud computing infrastructure in the country. A major component of this strategy is the development of a massive 80MW data center, expected to be operational by 2028.

CMC is also championing the "C-Open AI" initiative, a knowledge base designed to provide reliable, AI-driven legal assistance to civil servants and the general public. This focus on "AI for Good" is mirrored by companies like MISA, which has pledged 2.5 billion VND over the next five years to build specialized AI models for accounting, taxation, and corporate governance—sectors that form the backbone of the Vietnamese business environment.

Blockchain and Digital Logistics

Innovation is not confined to software and telecommunications. The logistics and aviation sectors are also undergoing a digital overhaul. Vietjet, under the leadership of Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, has announced an increased focus on Blockchain technology to enhance the efficiency and transparency of aviation operations. By partnering with international technology leaders, the airline aims to streamline supply chains and create a digital ecosystem that benefits employees, partners, and customers alike. This investment is seen as a crucial step in modernizing Vietnam’s logistical backbone, ensuring that the country’s physical connectivity keeps pace with its digital advancement.

Fact-Based Analysis: Implications for National Development

The convergence of these individual corporate strategies suggests a coordinated effort to move Vietnam up the global value chain. Historically, Vietnam has been a destination for assembly-based manufacturing. The current shift toward semiconductor design, AI development, and advanced cloud infrastructure indicates a pivot toward knowledge-intensive industries.

Several key implications arise from this shift:

1. Human Capital Development: The demand for high-skilled labor will necessitate a massive overhaul of the education sector. The commitments from FPT to train 60,000 professionals in high-tech fields serve as a litmus test for the country’s ability to scale its workforce.
2. Economic Resilience: By establishing domestic chip fabrication and sovereign AI, Vietnam is insulating itself against geopolitical disruptions in the technology sector. This "Make in Vietnam" approach is a proactive measure to ensure national security in an era of digital warfare and trade protectionism.
3. Public Sector Efficiency: The transition of administrative functions to digital platforms and smart control centers will likely reduce bureaucratic friction and increase the speed of governance, which are essential factors for maintaining high GDP growth rates.

The Road to 2030: A Timeline of Milestones

• 2025: VNPT aims to finalize the deployment of smart control centers for ministries and provincial authorities.
• 2027: Viettel targets the rollout of advanced 5G hardware; VNPT anticipates the launch of a fully capable sovereign Generative AI.
• 2028: CMC Corporation plans to bring its 80MW data center online, solidifying local cloud infrastructure.
• 2030: Viettel aims for the commercialization of 6G; FPT targets $5 billion in overseas revenue; domestic semiconductor manufacturing is expected to be firmly established.

Conclusion: A New Era of Innovation

The commitments made at the sixth Make in Vietnam Forum represent more than just corporate growth targets; they reflect a national consensus on the necessity of technological sovereignty. As these enterprises execute their roadmaps, they are not only contributing to the nation’s GDP but are also constructing the digital architecture upon which future generations will build.

The successful realization of these goals will require sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors, significant investment in STEM education, and a steadfast adherence to the regulatory frameworks set forth by the government. If the current momentum is maintained, Vietnam is well-positioned to emerge as a significant node in the global technology ecosystem, transforming its economic landscape from one driven by manual labor to one fueled by innovation, intelligence, and high-tech manufacturing. The path toward 2045, while challenging, is now clearly marked by the ambition and technical capability of its leading digital architects.