At AWS Cloud Day Vietnam 2025 on September 18 in Hanoi, AWS and Strand Partners released the results of a survey examining AI adoption, innovation, and economic competitiveness in Vietnam. The survey gathered insights from 1,000 businesses and 1,000 citizens, assessing how companies and individuals are adapting to AI.

Nick Bonstow, director at Strand Partners, said, “We are at a pivotal moment in the digital transformation journey for Vietnam, with AI adoption rates accelerating significantly.”

The survey found that 18 per cent of Vietnamese firms now use AI regularly, up from 13 per cent a year ago, representing growth of 39 per cent on-year.

Companies that have adopted AI are seeing tangible benefits: 61 per cent report increased revenue, with an average gain of 16 per cent.

Eric Yeo, Country general manager, AWS Vietnam at AWS Cloud Day 2025. Photo: AWS

66 per cent of those who have adopted AI have already experienced productivity gains. These productivity gains are coming from a wide range of sources, especially through enhancing customer service and relationships (35 per cent), and the automation of routine tasks (29 per cent).

Nick Bonstow, however, admitted that while AI adoption is increasingly widespread around Vietnam, many are not yet harnessing AI for its more advanced purposes. 74 per cent of businesses remain focused primarily on more basic uses of AI, and on incremental gains (e.g., driving efficiencies and streamlining processes), rather than innovation (e.g., developing new products or disrupting industries).

A smaller share, 17 per cent of Vietnamese businesses, have advanced to the intermediate stage of AI integration. And only 9 per cent of Vietnam companies have reached the most transformative stage, where they are using AI for its most advanced purposes.

Regarding startups, they aren’t just using AI – they’re building entirely new products and business models around it that would have been impossible just years ago. 55 per cent of startups say they are leveraging AI in some way throughout their business.

31 per cent have AI at the core of their business proposition. 35 per cent of startups are developing new AI-driven products and services. Looking ahead, 91 per cent of startups believe AI will fundamentally transform their industry within the next five years.

For large enterprises, their adoption of AI is strong, but their adoption is more basic and focused on incremental gains such as driving efficiencies, rather than innovation. 41 per cent of large enterprises are using AI, compared with 55 per cent of startups.

“This risks a two-tier AI economy, where startups are surging ahead with AI integration and adoption. If not addressed, this two-tier AI economy – with tech-driven startups outpacing larger enterprises in AI innovation – could shape Vietnam’s economic future,” said Nick Bonstow.

According to the representative of Strand Partners, moving beyond basic AI use for businesses of all sizes is key to unlocking the full benefits of AI for Vietnam’s economy and society. The potential economic impact is significant; in 2023, cloud and cloud-enabled AI contributed $1.5 billion to Vietnam’s GDP.

Further research estimates that across the Asia-Pacific region, cloud and cloud-enabled AI together could contribute up to $2.9 trillion, with $203 billion coming from AI alone.

Despite these, Nick Bonstow shared that businesses said that several barriers are limiting them from adopting the technology more profoundly. They include lack of skilled workers a top reported barrier, compliance and perceived costs, regulatory uncertainty.

“Vietnam has the right tools and the ambition to lead in AI,” said Eric Yeo, Country general manager, AWS Vietnam. “We encourage policymakers and industry leaders to take action to unlock Vietnam’s AI potential across both startups and large enterprises, by boosting digital skills training, providing clarity in regulation and adopting a pro-growth approach, and finally by modernising the public sector technology.”

Photo: AWS

Yeo noted that the AI trend is clear: acceleration. AWS is committed to supporting businesses in Vietnam to drive long-term impact and help grow the local economy. AWS has been at the forefront of the Vietnam’s digital transformation journey since establishing its local presence in 2017.

Through strategic infrastructure investments including AWS Outposts (2021), an upcoming AWS Local Zone in Hanoi, and Edge locations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (2022), AWS has built a robust foundation for ultra-low latency workloads across the country.

Over 100,000 individuals have been trained in cloud and AI in Vietnam since 2017. And in 2023, AWS rolled out the ‘AI Ready’ initiative, offering free AI and generative AI courses – 30 in Vietnamese to date – to help learners gain in-demand skills and access career opportunities.

“We are focused on helping organisations of all sizes across Vietnam to migrate IT workloads to cloud to support their digital-first strategies, and accelerate AI adoption and innovation end-to-end, from experimentation to real life applications,” said Yeo.

“AI is the biggest opportunity since cloud computing, and possibly since the internet. We look forward to collaborating with governments, businesses, and startups to unlock Vietnam’s AI potential,” he added.

At present, AWS is driving innovation with organisations across Vietnam, from fast-moving startups to leading brands and public sector organisations, such as AI Hay, Techcombank, VIB, VPBank, Gamota, Katalon, TymeX.

For instance, AI Hay is a Vietnam-first, AI-powered platform revolutionizing knowledge discovery through social, community-driven GenAI search. Since launch, the app has now had over 15 million downloads and processed over 100 million questions monthly, serving millions of Vietnamese daily.

Elsewhere, Techcombank, one of Vietnam’s leading banks, is accelerating digital banking with Amazon Q Developer. An initial pilot with 50 developers delivered strong results, 80 per cent satisfaction and clear gains in productivity and code quality, prompting a rapid scale-up to 600 developers. This has now been rolled out to more than 1,000 developers across TCB.

By using features like Code Suggestions and AI Commit Message, Techcombank cut development time, saving 572 days of manual effort in just three months, a 30 per cent productivity boost.

According to Eric Yeo, “Vietnam businesses show strong AI innovation adoption, demonstrating significant economic potential. However, our research reveals critical barriers, particularly for larger enterprises looking to deepen AI implementation.”

“To maintain Vietnam’s competitive position globally, government and industry must address these specific challenges. AWS remains committed to accelerating GenAI adoption through our infrastructure investments and skills training initiatives,” he added.

Vietnam accelerates cloud computing to power digital economy growth As Vietnam ramps up the development of cloud computing to drive its digital economy, new capabilities are expected to support both public and private sector transformation.

VPBank leverages AWS Skill Builder to fuel digital transformation VPBank announced on August 7 that it has integrated Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) Skill Builder into its cloud computing training programme to foster continuous learning at scale.

Following 7.5 per cent growth in the first six months and expectations of further stimulus, UOB revised its full-year GDP forecast to 7.5 per cent, up from 6.9 per cent. Vietnam’s real GDP expanded 7.96 per cent on-year in the second quarter, outpacing Bloomberg’s 6.85 per cent estimate and UOB’s own 6.1 per cent projection, bringing first-half growth to its highest level since 2011.

UOB’s September 17 report highlighted that Vietnam’s strong first-half growth was underpinned by a 14 per cent on-year export surge, boosted by improved sentiment after the US lowered its ‘Liberation Day’ tariff on April 2 to a temporary 10 per cent baseline for 90 days. Tariff uncertainty eased further in the second half as the US finalised country-specific rates ahead of the August 1 deadline, with Vietnam’s rate set at 20 per cent.

Data from July indicates that growth momentum remains positive, though the outlook is tempered by tariff developments. Exports rose 17 per cent on-year to a record $42.3 billion, bringing year-to-date growth close to 16 per cent. However, the trade surplus narrowed to $9.5 billion in the first seven months, compared to $14 billion a year earlier, due to higher imports from front-loaded export orders.

“Despite tariff pressures, annual exports could still rise by about 10 per cent (compared to 14 per cent in 2024), assuming a moderate 1–5 per cent pace for the rest of 2025,” UOB said in the report.

Other indicators also signal resilience. The Purchasing Managers’ Index rebounded to 52.4 in July after three straight months below 50, while manufacturing output rose 9 per cent on-year despite a high base. Overseas capital inflows remained strong, with $13.6 billion in realised investment as of July, up from $12.6 billion in the same period last year, suggesting full-year inflows could surpass $20 billion (compared to $25.4 billion in 2024).

Amid external headwinds, Vietnam announced a $48 billion infrastructure scheme in mid-August, spanning 250 projects. Of these, 129 state-funded initiatives worth $18 billion will prioritise urban development and transport, while 121 projects valued at $30.5 billion will draw financing from other sources, including foreign enterprises.

“Despite tariff threats and uncertainty, Vietnam’s economy continues to show resilience and dynamism. Export performance has been particularly strong, though risks remain if US demand weakens amid tariff-induced price pressures,” UOB said.

Following robust 7.5 per cent growth in the first half of 2025 and expected support from stronger government investment, UOB revised its full-year GDP forecast to 7.5 per cent, up from 6.9 per cent previously and just under 7.1 per cent in 2024. Growth is projected at 7.6 per cent on-year in the third quarter and 7.2 per cent in the fourth. For 2026, UOB maintains its projection at 7 per cent. By comparison, the government is targeting 8.3–8.5 per cent growth this year.

Inflation, however, shows little sign of easing. Headline inflation reached 3.3 per cent year-to-date in July, versus 3.6 per cent on average in 2024 and 3.26 per cent in 2023. Housing and construction materials (5.9 per cent on-year average so far, with an 18.8 per cent weighting) and healthcare (18 per cent on-year average, with a 5.4 per cent weighting) remain the main drivers.

“Combined with decent growth prospects in the second half of 2025 and persistent VND weakness, these factors would constrain the State Bank of Vietnam’s (SBV) ability to ease policy,” UOB said, expecting the refinancing rate to remain at 4.5 per cent.

“If business and labour market conditions deteriorate sharply, there is a possibility for the SBV to cut the refinancing rate in a single step to the COVID-19 low of 4 per cent, though this is not our base case,” the report added.

Bucking the regional trend, the VND slid to a record low of 26,436 per USD in August, down 3.4 per cent year-to-date and marking its fourth straight year of depreciation. While Vietnam secured a trade deal with the US that lowered tariff rates to 20 per cent from the 46 per cent announced in April, uncertainty remains over the 40 per cent transhipment tariff.

“This could prompt firms to reassess supply chain strategies, potentially dampening Vietnam’s attractiveness for foreign investment,” UOB said.

Looking ahead, the VND may continue to underperform compared to regional peers in capturing any upside from expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts. UOB’s upward revision of Vietnam’s GDP growth forecast to 7.5 per cent in 2025, from 7.1 per cent in 2024, could lend some support. Its updated USD/VND projections are 26,300 in the fourth quarter of 2025, 26,200 in the first quarter of 2026, 26,100 in the second, and 26,000 in the third.

Citi raises forecast for Vietnam’s 2025 GDP growth Citi remains cautiously optimistic on Vietnam’s growth outlook, although US tariffs on Vietnam will increase post a recently agreed trade deal.

ADB trims Vietnam’s GDP forecast to 6.3 per cent for 2025 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised Vietnam’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 down to 6.3 per cent from the 6.6 per cent it predicted in April.

Vietnam’s export resilience tested amid rising US tariff pressure As the United States slaps a 20 per cent countervailing tariff on Vietnamese exports, concerns loom over the policy’s implications for Vietnam’s growth trajectory. Despite mounting trade headwinds, Le Trung Hieu, deputy director general of the National Statistics Office, outlines why the country remains confident of meeting its ambitious target of over 8 per cent GDP growth in 2025.

World Bank forecasts Vietnam’s GDP growth to reach 6.6 per cent in 2025 Vietnam’s GDP growth is forecast to reach 6.6 per cent in 2025, according to the latest report by the World Bank.

Christian Marcos, regional sales manager for the Philippines and Vietnam, Physical Access Control Solutions at HID

To begin, can you give us an overview of HID’s mission and key activities in identity and access control?

HID has been a pioneer in identity and access control for over 30 years. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, and present in more than 100 countries, HID delivers comprehensive solutions across multiple sectors.

Beyond physical access control, our portfolio spans secure issuance, identity and access management, identification technologies, and biometric solutions. Our mission is to provide secure, trusted identities worldwide, with a core vision of protecting people, places, and things.

HID is known for powering trusted identities. What does that mean in practice for everyday users and organisations?

Access control began with a simple purpose: managing who could open doors, and when. HID has since expanded far beyond physical entry. Today, access is secured through both physical and digital credentials across IT systems, devices, and facilities, from servers and laptops to photocopiers, vending machines, and even EV charging stations.

As technology advances, so do our applications. HID doesn’t just protect doors, but the full range of equipment, systems, and information behind them, ensures only individuals authorised gain access. In short, we deliver trusted security for people, places, and things, wherever it is needed.

Biometric solutions are gaining strong momentum worldwide. In your view, what sets HID’s biometric readers apart from other options in the market?

The market is increasingly embracing biometrics such as facial recognition, fingerprint, and palm identification. HID provides advanced biometric technologies, with a particular focus on facial recognition.

What makes us stand out is our proprietary Paravision algorithm, providing exceptional accuracy and reliability. We also integrate multifactor authentication into one system, combining facial recognition with PINs, cards, mobile credentials, and QR codes, for greater flexibility and security.

Our biometric readers are built for speed and accuracy, ensure smooth, queue-free user experiences, and are IP65-rated for both indoor and outdoor use. This versatility allows users to choose the most convenient access method, whether entering buildings or securing facilities like photocopiers, vending machines, and EV charging stations, an area of ​​growing relevance in Vietnam.

With rising concerns about scams, data criticism, and spoofing attacks, how does HID ensure the privacy and security of biometric data?

We prioritise compliance with international standards. All biometric solutions, especially facial recognition, are rigorously tested to meet global regulations, as biometric data represents a person’s unique identity.

We offer flexible data storage, either embedded on secure cards or kept in protected databases, allowing organisations to control how data is managed.

To strengthen security, HID introduced Seos in 2012, replacing older, clone-prone technologies with advanced, unclonable credentials in both physical and digital forms.

By ensuring compliance, secure storage, and uncopyable credentials, HID keeps biometric identities private, protected, and trusted.

Can you share some of HID’s latest innovations in biometric authentication, particularly those being introduced in Vietnam?

At the Tech4Life 2025 exhibition and conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 18 and 19, we unveiled the HID Amico reader, its latest biometric facial recognition reader, soon to debut in Southeast Asia with Vietnam as an early adopter. HID Amico serves diverse industries, supporting multifactor authentication through cards, mobile credentials, QR codes, or PIN codes.

While demand for facial recognition grows, HID prioritises compliance with global data privacy standards to ensure trust and security. The preview in Vietnam marks one of HID’s most significant rollouts in the region, following an exclusive preview for partners in Hanoi.

Christian Marcos presented the current market drivers in Vietnam & HID’s latest physical access control solutions at the Tech4Life event

Why was Vietnam selected as one of the first markets for HID’s new biometric innovation?

Vietnam was chosen because of its rapid growth across sectors like transportation, real estate, and manufacturing, where many global brands have set up operations. Our parent company, ASSA ABLOY, already runs two factories here, underscoring the country’s strategic importance.

Vietnam is also emerging as a hub for innovation, with examples like VinFast’s EV taxi service and strong government investment in IT and engineering.

This dynamic environment makes Vietnam an ideal market for HID to introduce trusted identity and secure access solutions while meeting international security standards.

How has HID’s partnership with Vietnam Smart Card Technology JSC helped expand your footprint in Vietnam?

Over the years, HID has cooperated with Vietnam Smart Card Technology to deploy Physical Access Control Systems across multiple sectors, creating a true ‘win-win’ relationship. Global corporations expanding into Vietnam often want to use the same trusted brand as at their headquarters, HID, and continue to choose our solutions for new facilities.

The strength of this partnership comes from combining HID’s global reputation with Vietnam Smart Card Technology’s twenty-plus years of local expertise and strong ties to banks, manufacturers, and the transportation sector. Together, we have built a solid foundation for a long-term, sustainable collaboration.

How do you see the role of biometrics evolving over the next five years, particularly in Vietnam?

Biometrics will become increasingly important over the next five years, especially in Vietnam. Events like Tech4Life highlight how IT, infrastructure, and access control are becoming inseparable.

While AI still raises concerns, technology cannot be stopped; we must adapt. Just as cloud computing was once doubted but is now the standard for securing data, AI and biometrics should be seen not as threats but as tools that enhance security and convenience.

Biometrics are already part of daily life, such as unlocking smartphones with facial or fingerprint recognition. With proper policies and strong data protection, the market will increasingly embrace these solutions.

The future of biometrics in Vietnam and the region is therefore very promising, combining advanced technology with growing user readiness to embrace it.

On September 10, the company launched its “150 Years of a Living Legacy Ever Growing, Ever Reaching” campaign in Ho Chi Minh City. The initiative reflects the company’s determination to tie corporate development to national progress.

At the heart of the campaign is Legacy On The Move, a mobile exhibition housed in a specially designed bus. Over two months, it will travel through provinces and cities, beginning at the historic Bia Saigon brewery in Ho Chi Minh City and ending in Hanoi. Along the way, it will stop in Can Tho, Vinh Long, Vung Tau, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Binh Dinh, and Nghe An, connecting SABECO’s story with communities across the country. The journey symbolises both geographical and generational connection, taking heritage directly to the people who have made SABECO a household name.

The campaign also introduces Legacy Nights, large-scale community events staged in Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Long, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, and Hanoi. Combining cultural performance, interactive installations, and brand experiences, these events are designed to extend the anniversary beyond ceremonial speeches into spaces where people can celebrate, learn, and engage.

Just two days after the campaign launch, SABECO staged the first Legacy Night in Ho Chi Minh City. Thousands of participants attended the event, which transformed the venue into a vibrant showcase of history, innovation, and community.

The design of the event was ambitious: five immersive zones with each telling a chapter of SABECO’s story. The 150 Steps From Heritage zone retraced the company’s milestones; the Legacy of Progress zone highlighted its three flagship brands, reintroduced through interactive installations; the Legacy of Stewardship emphasised sustainability with displays of green initiatives; the Legacy of Brewing Excellence honoured brewmasters and international awards; while the Legacy with Communities zone offered games, local cuisine, and live performances by popular artists.

CEO Lester Tan stressed that the events aspire to create meaningful spaces for communities to connect and celebrate, while reinforcing commitment to unity and a thriving future.

“From tradition to transformation, SABECO’s legacy has been built with pioneering spirit, bold innovation, and a deep commitment to giving back to society. The campaign is our tribute to these values, where we express our pride in heritage, while reaffirming our unwavering commitment to Vietnam’s future,” he said.

That vision is underlined by the creation of the Ambassador of National Progress Award, developed with Dai Doan Ket newspaper under the guidance of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. The award will honour 150 unsung heroes across the nation: ordinary citizens whose resilience, unity, and service embody the values SABECO wishes to celebrate.

Vu Van Tien, member of the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, said, “This initiative nurtures solidarity and encourages younger generations to carry forward the mission of building a progressive, civilised society enriched with cultural identity. With active participation from businesses and society, it will cultivate compassion, responsibility, and unity.”

By linking its anniversary with civic recognition, SABECO positions itself as a partner in nation-building, intertwining its corporate narrative with Vietnam’s broader aspirations.

The balance of celebration and strategy is deemed crucial for the company. Vietnam’s beer industry remains one of Asia’s fastest-growing, buoyed by demographics and rising incomes. Yet competition has intensified as global brewers target the domestic market. SABECO, with 25 breweries and 11 subsidiaries nationwide, enjoys scale and reach, but heritage alone cannot secure its future.

SABECO is connecting people young and old through meaningful community activities

The 150-year campaign therefore doubles as a repositioning exercise, asserting SABECO’s identity as both authentically Vietnamese and globally credible.

That duality is reinforced by its sustainability agenda. SABECO has expanded environmental, social, and governance programmes. These include cutting energy and water use, promoting recycling, encouraging active lifestyles, and empowering communities. International recognition has been received through awards at the World Beer Awards and International Beer Cup in 2024, and a place in Fortune’s ranking of the Top 500 companies in Southeast Asia.

In this sense, leaders said the 150-year milestone is both backward-looking and forward-facing. It celebrates brewing heritage while signalling transformation into a modern, purpose-driven enterprise. Heritage provides the emotional foundation, while innovation and sustainability provide the competitive edge.

When a small ice workshop opened in Saigon in 1875, few could have imagined it would evolve into Vietnam’s largest brewer and a national icon. Over the next century and a half, what became SABECO grew alongside the country’s modern history. Its flagship brands Bia

Saigon, 333, and Lac Viet are deemed social symbols, present at weddings, Lunar New Year reunions, football celebrations, and countless gatherings across the nation.

As the campaign travels northward, culminating in Hanoi, it mirrors SABECO’s journey: from colonial-era origins to a modern corporation embedded in national identity, from a domestic brewer to a company aiming for regional influence. The symbolism is clear: SABECO wants to be remembered not just for what it brewed, but for what it contributed to Vietnam’s story.

“The spirit of togetherness defines who we are, fuels our progress, and continues to inspire our vision to thrive for tomorrow – not just as a leading beverage company, but as a brand that embodies the pride and spirit of Vietnam,” Tan explained.

SABECO turns sustainability aspirations into concrete action SABECO showcased its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy at the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum 2025 (VCSF 2025) in Hanoi, turning a 150-year legacy into concrete actions for sustainable growth amid global uncertainty.

SABECO among pioneers in sustainable development Pioneering groups such as Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation, known as SABECO, are proving that sustainability can deliver both resilience and market leadership in Vietnam.

SABECO reaffirms commitment to brewing excellence on 150th anniversary SABECO celebrated its 150th anniversary on September 10 by launching the “150 Years of a Living Legacy: Ever Growing, Ever Reaching” campaign.