HCM CITY — Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.

Speaking at a recent seminar titled “From Digital Transformation to Artificial Intelligence Transformation” in HCM City, Nguyễn Thanh Hòa, deputy director of the HCM City Digital Transformation Centre, said embracing digital and AI innovations was no longer optional but essential for businesses. 

“These transformations are vital for building a solid foundation for our economic and social development,” he added.

The city should concentrate on three key areas: fostering international collaboration, enhancing training programmes, and building strong partnerships, he said.

“By sharing knowledge and experiences, businesses can innovate more rapidly and develop new models that will drive their growth.” 

He added it was extremely vital to offer training for civil servants, officials, and the wider public to improve their digital skills and capabilities. 

Collaborating with experienced tech firms could also help customise AI solutions to the unique needs of different sectors, particularly in workforce training.

The newly established Digital Transformation Centre in the city aims to support businesses in digital transformation, develop digital services, and ensure data security, while also training SMEs in digital transformation.

HCM City leads the country in digital initiatives, with over 7,000 ICT businesses and significant e-commerce value.

By 2030, the city targets a digital economy contribution of 25 per cent to its GRDP, aspiring to become a healthcare hub in the region. 

Also speaking at the event, Sengmeng Koo, senior deputy director of AI Singapore, said Singapore had made AI a fundamental part of its national development strategy since 2017.

“We’ve developed training programmes that span six to nine months, equipping students not only with knowledge in their fields but also in AI,” he said.

These initiatives had successfully cultivated a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation in the age of artificial intelligence, he added.

AI training initiative 

During the workshop, the “AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific,” part of the AVPN project, launched the initiative “Bringing AI Closer to Vietnamese Workers and Businesses.” 

Under the initiative, Google, AI Singapore, and the HCM City Digital Transformation Centre will collaborate to train 72,000 workers, including 15,000 medical professionals, to ensure a comprehensive AI transformation in Việt Nam.

The training programmes will be conducted in Vietnamese and tailored to be practical and accessible for a diverse range of workers. 

Over the next three years, the “AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific” aims to contribute to a transition in the workplace through impactful organisations and a network of strategic partners.

The AVPN, Asia's largest network of social investors, announced the launch of the AI Opportunity Fund last May. 

This US$15-million fund aims to equip Asia’s workforce with essential AI knowledge and tools needed for the evolving job landscape, ensuring that AI-related roles are accessible to more individuals, particularly those from underserved communities.

The fund will be accessible through an Open Call to identify and select non-profit organisations, social enterprises, and workforce associations across Asia-Pacific that can effectively reach workers most affected by the workforce transitions driven by AI. 

Selected organisations will receive comprehensive support, including guidance, financial resources, and customised AI training based on foundational courses designed by Google and its partners. — VNS