Vietnam's AI Boom: 26% of Businesses Use AI, But Most Just Experimenting

Vietnam's AI adoption has jumped to 26% of businesses—about 245,000 companies—according to a new AWS study. But here's the catch: 61% of those using AI are still in the experimentation phase, not fully using it in daily operations. So while more companies are trying AI, few have made it a core part of how they work. That means the promised benefits, like better productivity and higher revenue, are not yet widespread.

For the average worker, this is a mixed bag. On one hand, companies that do adopt AI report real gains: 72% say productivity improved, and 64% saw revenue increase by an average of 15%. On the other hand, a shortage of AI skills is a major barrier. 54% of businesses say they lack workers with digital and AI skills, and employers are willing to pay a 41% premium for AI-ready workers. So if you have AI skills, you're in high demand. If not, you might need to reskill to stay competitive.

The Vietnamese government is trying to help. Its National Technology Innovation Fund is offering grants up to about $114,000 for AI projects, and a new AI law took effect in March that sets rules based on risk levels. But regulations can also slow things down, especially for high-risk applications. Meanwhile, companies like FPT are partnering with OpenAI to help businesses deploy AI, making it easier to get started.

Looking ahead, the real test will be how many of these experiments turn into fully operational, measurable AI systems. With six in ten adopters still experimenting, adoption alone doesn't tell the full story. For everyday people, this means AI might not change your job overnight, but over the next few years, expect more AI tools at work—and more demand for skills to use them.