The forum was organized with the aim of introducing the policy environment supporting AI startup development in Vietnam; introducing the market and technological capacity of Vietnamese enterprises in this field. This is also an important forum to promote international cooperation, co-creation and creation of a sustainable Vietnamese AI ecosystem, taking innovation as the driving force for development.

Overview of the Forum.

In his opening speech at the Forum, Mr. Tran Anh Tu, Deputy Director of the Department of Information Technology Industry, emphasized that the world is entering the "AI decade", where technology not only supports people but also helps people reshape all areas of life - from education, healthcare, transportation to national governance. According to Mr. Tran Anh Tu, AI is no longer an option, but has become the new development infrastructure of the modern world. In the context of a strong shift towards a knowledge-based and innovative economy, Vietnam identifies AI as the center of the digital transformation process - both a tool and a driving force to improve productivity, quality and national competitiveness. Mr. Tran Anh Tu said that, along with that strategic vision, Vietnam is perfecting an advanced legal corridor for the development and application of AI, ensuring the principles of transparency, safety, responsibility and humanity. Notably, Decree No. 264/2025/ND-CP issued by the Government on October 14, 2025 is considered a strategic step in perfecting the legal framework for venture capital activities in Vietnam. This Decree paves the way for venture capital flows from the public sector, promoting capital transactions through the establishment of national venture capital funds, local venture capital funds and stock exchanges dedicated to innovative startups.

According to Mr. Tran Anh Tu, the Vietnamese AI business and startup community is growing rapidly, with many successful application models in smart manufacturing, healthcare, finance and education. The presence of global technology corporations such as NVIDIA, Google, Meta... is a testament to international confidence in the potential for cooperation with Vietnam in the field of AI, the connection between domestic and international resources will form a dynamic, responsible AI ecosystem with Vietnamese identity.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is currently coordinating with ministries and branches to deploy a mechanism to identify intellectual property as capital contributions, recognize convertible investment tools, develop domestic venture capital funds and issue tax incentives for research and development (R&D) activities. At the same time, the mechanism for ordering strategic technology and purchasing high technology is also being promoted, encouraging businesses to invest in innovation. AI is a great opportunity, but also a test of each country's creativity and integration capacity. Vietnam wishes to become a reliable partner and an attractive destination for ideas, technology and investment in innovation.

Mr. Tran Anh Tu, Deputy Director of the Department of Information Technology Industry, delivered the opening speech at the Forum.

At the Forum, Dr. Le Vu Toan, Startup Expert, Center for Startup Development, Agency for Startups and Technology Enterprises shared key policies in the National Strategy on AI to 2030, identifying AI as a strategic technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with the goal of bringing Vietnam into the group of 4 leading ASEAN countries in AI research, development and application. Along with that, the Draft Law on AI is being built in a human-centered direction, ensuring ethical factors, fairness, transparency and responsibility, while applying a flexible governance model according to the risk level of each AI system - demonstrating Vietnam's humane and advanced approach to new technology.

Along with these policies, Vietnam is strongly implementing Project 844 on developing a national innovative startup ecosystem, supporting startups through incubators, investment funds, advisory networks and international connections. Acceleration programs such as AI Accelerator Challenge (AAC) and global programs such as AWS Activate, Google for Startups, NVIDIA Inception have been providing valuable resources to Vietnamese AI startups, contributing to promoting a strong wave of AI startups and deep integration with the world.

Dr. Le Vu Toan, Startup Expert, Center for Startup Development, Agency for Startups and Technology Enterprises presented at the Forum.

This year's Forum includes two in-depth discussion sessions: "Vietnam AI Story - From Collaborative Vision to Product Realization" and "Mastering Platforms, Multilateral Cooperation - Creating a Sustainable Vietnam AI Ecosystem". The Forum brings together many pioneering technology enterprises such as OneMedic, MISA, MedCAT, IDUS, VNPT, LocaAI, NVIDIA, and investment funds such as VSV Capital. AI projects in healthcare, education, public administration and digital economy introduced at the Forum have shown that Vietnam AI is transforming from the stage of technology adoption to co-creation with the world.

The 2025 Artificial Intelligence Startup Forum is not only a meeting place for ideas and technology, but also a declaration of Vietnam's new development vision in the era of artificial intelligence - where technology, people and creativity together create a sustainable, humane and prosperous digital future.

Delegates exchanged at the discussion session.