Announcing the cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese Government and NVIDIA Corporation

(MPI) - On the evening of December 5, 2024, right after the signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement between the Government of Vietnam and NVIDIA Corporation, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and Mr. Jensen Huang, Chairman of NVIDIA Corporation held a press conference to announce this cooperation agreement.

Overview of the Signing Ceremony. Photo: MPI

At the press conference, answering reporters' questions about the cooperation agreement between NVIDIA Corporation and Vietnam on research and development of artificial intelligence after two visits by NVIDIA Chairman Jensen Huang in 2023 and 2024, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized that cooperation with NVIDIA is of great significance for Vietnam, affirming Vietnam's potential and position in terms of research and development capabilities in high-tech fields, especially AI.

The agreement demonstrates the determination of the Vietnamese Government to “catch up, keep pace and surpass” in the field of artificial intelligence - one of the most breakthrough technology industries today.

Minister Nguyen Chi Dung said that to reach the Agreement, under the direction of the Government, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has made great efforts and determination in the negotiation and working process with NVIDIA Group, with the close coordination of ministries and branches, and the participation and contributions of VinGroup and Viettel Group.

Chairman Jensen Huang was truly impressed with the country, people and potential of Vietnam. Just one year after his first visit, together with the Vietnamese Government and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, he directed NVIDIA to materialize the commitment to “make Vietnam NVIDIA’s second home”.

Minister Nguyen Chi Dung speaks at the Press Conference. Photo: MPI

According to Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, building a world-class AI Research and Development Center invested in and operated by a leading technology corporation like NVIDIA is necessary and an important premise for developing Vietnam's artificial intelligence ecosystem, thereby promoting R&D and deploying the application of advanced AI technologies.

The center will attract many talents, high-tech and artificial intelligence engineers to work and live in Vietnam; creating a premise to access and attract NVIDIA's huge resources for Vietnam. NVIDIA will invest in internship and scholarship programs to train new talents for Vietnam in the field of artificial intelligence and other high-tech fields.

The development of NVIDIA's AI Research and Development Center in Vietnam will be an important boost to help Vietnam make great strides in technology in the coming time, having a spillover effect on other high-tech investors in the world, especially in the field of AI investing in Vietnam.

“In the coming time, the two sides will continue to make efforts to quickly implement the commitments in the Agreement. NVIDIA will be an important partner, accompanying Vietnam in developing the artificial intelligence ecosystem, contributing to the development of Vietnam's science and technology in the new era,” said Minister Nguyen Chi Dung.

Mr. Jensen Huang speaks at the Press Conference. Photo: MPI

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Jensen Huang expressed his pleasure to be here to announce an important milestone and a great day for NVIDIA. Today, we are announcing the opening of NVIDIA's major Research and Development (R&D) Center in Vietnam, where we will focus on the AI, software and systems technologies that NVIDIA is researching.

Mr. Jensen Huang shared, with a lot of enthusiasm and trust, the Prime Minister convinced me that Vietnam should be the future home of NVIDIA. The Vietnamese people, the opportunities in Vietnam are ideal for investment today. At the same time, he said that this is a special time in the technology industry, when in fact, the technology world is being reset by AI. “This is the perfect time for Vietnam to build a future of AI,” Mr. Jensen Huang emphasized.

According to Mr. Jensen Huang, AI learns from data. It is a new form of computing, learning intelligence from the data provided. Vietnam's AI should be processed here, built here, operated here for the people and industry of Vietnam; expressed his joy at the cooperation of VINGroup and VINBrain, an excellent and extraordinary AI startup in Vietnam.

To promote AI in Vietnam, Mr. Jensen Huang emphasized three things that need to be done. Accordingly, the first is to build infrastructure for AI. The second is to continue to "nurture" and develop a team of AI experts. In this regard, Vietnam has a distinct advantage with an excellent tradition in STEM, with a large and talented team of software experts and experts in Vietnam. This is a special opportunity for Vietnam. Therefore, cooperation with universities, cooperation with AI researchers, NVIDIA's R&D Center here will be a way to nurture a large number of AI researchers in Vietnam.

Third is to support Vietnamese AI startups, because this is a new technology. Young innovators, young AI researchers want to build the future here. Many Vietnamese entrepreneurs want to have the opportunity to build a great AI company right in their home country.

With the necessary infrastructure, with the support of technology companies such as NVIDIA, the support and encouragement of the Government, the Prime Minister and ministries, especially the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam has the opportunity to create a rich and vibrant AI startup ecosystem.

Mr. Jensen Huang expressed his belief that with infrastructure, students, researchers, AI startups will create momentum for a bright future; at the same time, he hopes and believes that one day, when people talk about Vietnam, in addition to its rich culture, beautiful people, great cuisine, and agriculture, they will also talk about Vietnam as a leading technology country.

Recently, the Prime Minister assigned the Minister of Planning and Investment to be the Head of the Working Group to implement cooperation with NVIDIA Corporation to support NVIDIA in shifting the production chain and developing artificial intelligence technology in Vietnam. In October 2024, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of its establishment, NIC and NVIDIA signed a Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation on developing a nationwide artificial intelligence ecosystem in Vietnam, focusing on training to improve skills, support research and start-ups in the field of AI.

The signing of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese Government and NVIDIA on the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Development Center, called VRDC (Vietnam Research and Development Center), along with the AI ​​Data Center in Vietnam is a milestone, an important first step, together realizing the aspiration of turning Vietnam into an AI powerhouse with the pioneering and leading role of NVIDIA Corporation.

The signing of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese Government and NVIDIA Corporation - the world's leading technology corporation in the field of AI and semiconductor technology, demonstrates Vietnam's vision of "catching up, advancing together and surpassing" in the field of artificial intelligence - one of the technology industries with the potential to create breakthroughs, new driving forces to increase productivity, economic competitiveness and contribute to rapid and sustainable economic growth based on innovation. This is also an important transition moment for Vietnam to accelerate digital transformation, entering a new era - the era of national development./.

Ministry of Planning and Investment

Source: https://www.mpi.gov.vn/portal/Pages/2024-12-6/Cong-bo-thoa-thuan-hop-tac-giua-Chinh-phu-Viet-Namcv72db.aspx