Leveraging the combined power of 5G and AI puts Vietnam in a strategically advantageous position.
In the ongoing digital journey of Vietnam, the alignment of 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being pursued to generate real economic value for businesses and society. This strategic approach is highlighted in a report by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, which emphasises the potential for Southeast Asia to capitalise on 5G-AI integration for transformative economic growth [1].
Vietnam's strategy in 5G deployment is that of a 'smart follower', focusing on priority areas such as high-tech parks, ports, and industrial zones. This approach mitigates high upfront costs while enabling scalability [1]. The country is not just aiming for faster connectivity, but targeting strategic use cases where 5G and AI converge to deliver productivity and innovation [6].
A key action for Vietnam is focused investment in high-impact applications, such as smart manufacturing, precision logistics, and remote healthcare. This targeted approach helps generate real measurable benefits for businesses and society [2]. Building advanced digital infrastructure, strengthening fiber-optic networks, and supporting 5G infrastructure is critical, as these form the backbone for delivering AI-driven services [3].
Coordinated strategies can accelerate AI and 5G adoption and foster regional digital leadership. Following guidance from regional research like the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy’s report on ASEAN’s 5G-AI transformation, Vietnam should enact decisive policies that encourage collaboration between government, industry, and academia [2][3].
The fusion of AI and 5G is seen as foundational for future sectors such as autonomous mobility, precision agriculture, and smart logistics, which can drive economic diversification and resilience while improving productivity [2][3]. To ensure broad adoption across urban and rural areas, Vietnam must address the digital divide and promote inclusive growth [2][3].
The Government's increased involvement could potentially speed up the rollout of 5G in Vietnam. Becky Fraser, Vice President of Global Government Affairs at Qualcomm, emphasised the potential of 5G's low latency and high bandwidth for edge computing, enabling AI inference on devices or local servers, improving response times, security, and operational efficiency [4].
Realising this vision will require coordinated policies, clear strategies, and robust ecosystem collaboration. The ASEAN region's real race is not about deploying 5G or 6G first, but about maximising the value these technologies can deliver, as envisioned in a future where AI-powered smart manufacturing goes global, precision agriculture boosts rural productivity, and immersive education reaches even the most remote students [5].
- To fully capitalize on the integration of 5G and AI, Vietnam's focus on labor-intensive industries like smart manufacturing and precision logistics with AI-driven services could unlock new economic opportunities.
- The alignment of AI and 5G technology holds enormous potential for the healthcare sector, enabling remote healthcare services that bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, ensuring inclusive growth.
- In the pursuit of regional digital leadership, a cooperative approach among government, industry, and academia is essential for accelerating AI and 5G adoption in Vietnam.
- The deployment of 5G in Vietnam's rural areas is crucial to overcome the digital divide, thus fostering artificially intelligent solutions and improving access to education and technology.
- Beyond economy and connectivity, the combination of AI and 5G can revolutionize diverse sectors like autonomous mobility, precision agriculture, and culture, creating a more resilient and innovative society.
- As Vietnam continues its digital transformation, the government's involvement in establishing clear policies, strategies, and robust ecosystems can expedite the rollout and integration of 5G and AI technology, paving the way for a future that is technologically advanced and economically prosperous.
