Vietnam partners with NVIDIA to establish AI research center

Vietnam has partnered with NVIDIA to establish the Vietnam Research and Development Center (VRDC) and an AI Data Center in the country. 

The signing ceremony took place on December 5 between Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and Jay Puri, Executive Vice President of NVIDIA Worldwide Field Operations, with the attendance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of the chipmaker NVIDIA.

An overview of the signing ceremony. Photos: NIC

The collaboration is a strategic move for the chipmaker and a significant milestone for Vietnam, which aims to become Asia's leading AI research and development hub.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the partnership, which comes just over a year after his visit to NVIDIA in the US in September 2023, underscores Huang's commitment to making Vietnam "NVIDIA's second home."

Chinh suggested that both parties collaborate on AI research and development to create a new production force based on Vietnam's AI capabilities, supported by NVIDIA. He encouraged NVIDIA to work closely with the National Innovation Center (NIC), the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), leading technology companies, and top technical universities in Vietnam.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung stressed the importance of establishing a world-class AI research and development centre operated by a leading technology company such as NVIDIA. This initiative will be crucial for developing Vietnam's AI ecosystem, enhancing research and development, and implementing advanced AI technologies.

"The center will attract high-tech talent and AI engineers to work and live in Vietnam, paving the way for significant resources from NVIDIA," he said.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung

The infrastructure provided by the VRDC and the AI Data Center will support the national AI strategy and foster talent development using NVIDIA's advanced technologies. This will enable the country to enhance research and application of AI in key industries such as healthcare, education, transportation, and finance.

"We are committed to creating the most favorable environment for leading global technology companies such as NVIDIA to conduct research and development projects in Vietnam," said the Minister.

He also said that working with NVIDIA is a strategic step that not only strengthens Vietnam's capacity for AI research and application, but also advances the high-tech industry and opens up  new opportunities for NVIDIA in this new era.

In October, the NIC and NVIDIA signed a strategic cooperation agreement to develop a nationwide AI ecosystem in Vietnam.