Data infrastructure is a cornerstone of national digital sovereignty .
Over the past decade, data has been recognized as a new strategic national resource. In Vietnam, this vision is reflected in Decision No. 1132/QD-TTg approving the "Digital Infrastructure Strategy to 2025 and Orientation to 2030". For the first time, "digital infrastructure" is defined as comprising four pillars, with "data infrastructure" as an independent and crucial component, alongside telecommunications infrastructure, digital physical infrastructure, and digital utility infrastructure.
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With this strategy, investment in data infrastructure is not simply about building traditional data centers or storage facilities, but aims to develop mega-data centers, data centers supporting AI applications, and edge data centers. This is a groundbreaking vision and demonstrates Vietnam's strategic shift from passively ensuring "data sovereignty" in the sense of storing and protecting data to mastering "computing sovereignty" or "AI sovereignty".
Possessing large-scale computing and AI processing capabilities domestically is crucial for operating generative AI (GenAI) models, processing big data, and developing a self-reliant digital economy , rather than relying entirely on global cloud platforms. However, the investment costs for large data centers and AI are extremely high, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of USD per project, far exceeding the state budget's capacity for rapid deployment and large-scale development.
This context creates an urgent need to mobilize capital, expertise, and high-tech capabilities from the private sector, Vietnamese technology experts working abroad, and multinational technology corporations in Vietnam. Promoting public-private partnerships (PPP) is not just a purely financial solution, but also a necessary strategic solution for Vietnam to quickly build and acquire core technology capabilities (AI, Hyperscale), ensure security, and control system operations to promote the development of the digital economy.
The 2020 PPP Law included information technology infrastructure as one of the five essential sectors prioritized for investment under the PPP model. This legal framework instilled confidence in private investors interested in high-tech fields and data center development in Vietnam. Subsequently, the Government issued Decree 35/2021/ND-CP guiding the implementation of the PPP Law, which specifically defines the scope of information technology infrastructure to include "applications, development of information technology, databases, and data centers".
Challenges and risks
Applying the PPP model to data infrastructure construction presents complex legal challenges and risks, far exceeding traditional risks such as land acquisition or construction delays. This is because the National Data Center, particularly the repository of core databases, is classified as a "Critical Information System for National Security" under the Cybersecurity Law and Decree 53/2022/ND-CP. A system failure could have serious consequences for the economy or severely impact the direct management and operation of Party and State agencies. This means that the entire PPP project – from design and equipment selection to operating procedures and the private partner's personnel – must undergo extremely rigorous security assessment, evaluation, and monitoring by specialized forces of competent authorities. This is a mandatory legal requirement that private investors must anticipate and comply with.
When a PPP project operates a data center, we enter the legal realm of Decree 13/2023/ND-CP on the protection of personal data, where the state agency managing the project typically acts as the controller of personal data. The private partner acts as the processor of personal data and has direct legal responsibility and obligations in creating and maintaining records, processing data, and is legally liable if violations or data leaks occur.
Technological obsolescence is also a major risk when choosing technology to build a data system. In reality, the lifespan of core technologies (chips, servers, storage solutions, AI software) is very short, potentially becoming obsolete after 3-5 years and unable to meet the ever-increasing demands for operational efficiency, data processing, and information security of the data system. This creates serious risks in managing investment costs, operating costs, maintenance, and system upgrades because the government may be "locked" into a technology supply contract, forced to pay for an infrastructure system that will become obsolete after 10 years, leading to a loss of national competitiveness and difficulties in upgrading the technology system after a period of use.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are the most viable path for Vietnam to realize its aspirations for a modern national data infrastructure as outlined in the Digital Infrastructure Strategy to 2030. However, success does not lie in mechanically copying the traditional PPP model, which was designed for static physical infrastructure. A strategic vision is needed to build a sustainable national data infrastructure that ensures technological change and rapid upgrades without affecting the operation of the existing system. The PPP program should be approached with innovation, flexibility, diversity, and built on the trust of all participating stakeholders.
Many lessons from pioneering countries have demonstrated that in the digital age, public-private partnerships are not just about building a "structure" and then handing it over, but about jointly operating a vibrant, long-term "ecosystem." In that case, national data infrastructure will truly become a strategic driving force for an innovative, sustainably developing, and prosperous Vietnam.
Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/hop-tac-cong-tu-trong-xay-dung-ha-tang-du-lieu-quoc-gia-10400484.html
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