Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has taken a significant step toward positioning itself as Vietnam’s leading center for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation with the launch of the Saigon AI Hub (SAIH) at VNG Campus. As the City’s first open-space AI research model, SAIH plays a pivotal role in implementing HCMC’s digital transformation strategy and advancing the development of a robust, future-ready AI ecosystem.
Designed as a core component of the city’s AI R&D ecosystem, the SAIH hub provides Graphic processing unit (GPU) infrastructure, high-quality datasets, international-standard cloud services, and collaborative workspaces. It also serves as a bridge connecting universities, technology enterprises, and young research teams – supporting the development of high-impact AI solutions in healthcare, education, transportation, and public services. These features align closely with HCMC’s strategy to commercialize new technologies and nurture a strong innovation-driven economy.
The establishment of SAIH comes just six months after VNG and Vietnam National University (VNU)-HCMC signed their 2025-2030 cooperation agreement, aiming to build the city’s strategic R&D community. Under this initiative, VNG commits to long-term investment in university research capacity and foster greater linkage between industry and academia to drive innovation.
Beyond computing infrastructure, SAIH is developing an Open Model Hub and providing space for academic activities to expand the R&D community. In its initial phase, the hub is expected to host approximately 30 researchers from VNU–HCMC and independent groups, focusing on Large Language Model (LLMs)1, multimodal systems, AI agents, and sector-specific applications. Notably, SAIH is structured as an open research environment where VNG acts solely as a facilitator, without claiming ownership or intellectual property rights. Its success will be evaluated by its contribution to strengthening HCMC’s R&D ecosystem and solving real-world challenges faced by enterprises and government agencies.
Vietnam currently ranks 6th among 40 countries in AI-readiness, recording 80 million USD in AI investment in 2024 (an eightfold increase from 2023) and 42% of the population using AI in work and daily life. However, the domestic AI ecosystem continues to face constraints in computing infrastructure, advanced research talent, and R&D expenditure, highlighting the need to shift from primarily adopting foreign technologies toward developing indigenous AI capabilities. Under the National Strategy on Research, Development, and Application of AI to 2030, Vietnam aims to become a leading center for AI innovation and application in ASEAN.
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Reference: Bao Dien tu Chinh phu, 27 November 2025
1 a type of AI model that uses deep-learning techniques to understand, process, and generate human-like language.
