As the world accelerates into the era of artificial intelligence, the question of sovereignty—once defined by borders and armies—now extends to the digital realm. For Vietnam, this means ensuring that the nation’s data, technological infrastructure, and AI capabilities are not only robust but also distinctly Vietnamese. At the forefront of this movement is FPT, a technology leader that has made AI sovereignty a central pillar of its strategy.

Pham Minh Tuan, FPT Software CEO and EVP, FPT Corporation, recently joined industry leaders at the NVIDIA AI Day Ho Chi Minh City to share FPT’s vision for Vietnam’s digital future: one where AI sovereignty, national infrastructure, and Vietnamese-built language models form the foundation of a resilient and self-reliant tech ecosystem.

Sovereignty in the Digital Age

“Sovereignty is a defining value—from centuries of defending independence,” said Tuan. “In the digital age, sovereignty now extends to technology—especially in AI. It ensures data privacy, national security, and resilience against external factors, especially in critical sectors like healthcare, finance, and public services.”

For FPT, AI sovereignty is a corporation-wide mission. The company has invested heavily in building Vietnam’s first national AI infrastructure - FPT AI Factory - accelerated by over 1,000 NVIDIA GPUs and ranked among the world’s top 40 supercomputers. This infrastructure supports the development of Vietnamese large language models (LLMs), ensuring that AI solutions are culturally relevant and that sensitive data remains within national borders.

“Security is a top priority in Vietnam’s sovereign AI strategy,” Tuan emphasized. “We have built a dedicated, secure infrastructure on NVIDIA-certified architecture, compliant with both international standards and national regulations.”

Building a Vietnamese AI Ecosystem

FPT recognizes that achieving AI sovereignty requires more than just technology—it demands a vibrant ecosystem. The corporation has spearheaded the formation of the Âu Lạc AI Alliance, bringing together over 20 organizations from universities, research institutes, and tech companies. The alliance’s mission is to advance AI technology, develop Vietnamese AI talent, build national AI standards, and shape policy frameworks aligned with Vietnam’s strategic goals. It also aims to develop Vietnamese language models and virtual assistants, tailored specifically for the Vietnamese people.

“We should do something first for Vietnam and then for the world. We are developing a language model tailored for Vietnamese culture and language,” Tuan said. “We are also a pioneer in developing Small Language Models (SLMs) tailored for specific industries. For example, we have created SLMs for the pharmacy and healthcare sector to address their unique challenges, as well as for oil and gas exploration and for automotive infotainment—enhancing the driving experience and in-car entertainment systems."

To further spur innovation, FPT has launched the $1 million Âu Lạc Grand Prize, a landmark initiative to incentivize Vietnamese AI development. The company also provides grants and incubation programs, giving startups and developers the resources they need to thrive. With the total support value of up to 3 million USD per year, key benefits for startups include access to high-performance computing infrastructure from FPT AI Factory; technical mentorship from FPT experts and global partners; and business acceleration support.

Full-Stack AI Enablement

FPT’s journey began as a pioneer in software export, but today, it is positioning itself as an “AI-First company” with a vision to deliver full-stack AI enablement—from infrastructure and models to end-to-end AI services. Central to this strategy is FleziPT, FPT’s flexible, easy, and scalable AI platform, which embodies the company’s best practices and real-world deployment experience.

“AI is a crucial driver for Vietnam to catch up with developed countries,” Tuan noted. “From FPT’s experience in global markets, our unique strengths are speed and scalability, and AI will be instrumental in helping Vietnam maintain and amplify these advantages, both at home and internationally.”

This commitment is already reflected in real-world results. FPT’s AI solutions have delivered 95% accuracy in complex production profiling for a leading energy joint venture, enabling real-time insights and greater operational efficiency. The tech firm also automated underwriting and claims for a global life insurer, cutting processing time from 20 minutes to just 2 seconds and empowering agents with AI-driven tools. 

With this AI-First approach, FPT recently signed its largest-ever contract—a $256 million agreement to deliver AI-powered digital solutions for a leading energy company, as well as a $30 million partnership to drive AI transformation for a major Southeast Asian industrial conglomerate, further strengthening its leadership in large-scale digital transformation.

Talent Development: The Foundation of Sovereignty and Beyond

A sovereign AI future depends on people as much as technology. FPT is deeply invested in nurturing Vietnam’s next generation of AI talent. The company’s educational initiatives span from advocating for AI literacy from grade school to offering a Bachelor’s Degree in AI at FPT University. There are around 2,000 AI and data engineering students graduating from FPT University, while its global IT services arm boasts 25,000 AI-augmented engineers.

“In order to prepare for the long-run AI journey, we need to have good talent with a very solid foundation in science,” Tuan stressed. “Math, physics, and STEM are the keys to success in the long run. FPT is committed to creating more PhDs in these critical areas to support the country’s future development.”

A Call for Collaboration

FPT’s message is clear: Vietnam’s AI journey is not one to be taken alone. “To achieve big things in AI, don’t try to do everything alone or reinvent the wheel—especially since resources are limited. Choose the right problems to solve, focus on niche and culturally relevant challenges, and leverage collaboration.”

With its comprehensive approach—combining world-class infrastructure, a collaborative ecosystem, targeted innovation, and a deep commitment to talent—FPT is not just advocating for AI sovereignty. It is building it, ensuring that Vietnam’s digital future is secure, resilient, and uniquely its own.