HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnam is seeking to turn its overseas scientific talent into a stronger engine of economic development, as its parliamentary leader urged Vietnamese experts in South Korea to help bring advanced technologies and commercial expertise home.
Meeting members of the Vietnam Innovation Network on September 6, National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn called for closer cooperation in developing and commercializing technology. He outlined priorities including domestic computing infrastructure, green data centers and artificial intelligence adapted to Vietnamese needs, placing the initiative within the country’s ambition to achieve high-income status by 2045. Vietnam News Agency report
The meeting’s broader significance lies in the economic transition it represents: Vietnam wants a larger role in creating technology and capturing its value, extending the gains made through manufacturing and foreign investment.
From Investment to Innovation
The Seoul outreach follows a wider push to deepen relationships with global technology companies. On August 28, Reuters reported that Vietnamese leaders had urged Samsung and Qualcomm to expand investment in AI, semiconductors and research. According to government accounts cited by Reuters, Samsung’s chief executive indicated plans for further investment and training, while Qualcomm’s chief executive said the company wanted Vietnam to become its third-largest AI research and development hub. Those statements preceded the Seoul meeting and were not commitments announced there.
Vietnamese experts at the September 6 gathering offered concrete proposals: sustained investment in priority technologies, research programs with five- and ten-year goals, changes to research funding and evaluation, and greater acceptance of controlled scientific risk. Their recommendations suggest that attracting expertise will require institutions capable of supporting experimentation and bringing research to market.
Laws Set the Direction; Implementation Determines the Outcome
Vietnam’s dedicated AI law took effect on March 1, 2026, establishing a legal foundation for its ambitions. South Korea’s AI Basic Act entered into force on January 22, combining industrial support with obligations concerning transparency, safety and public trust. The parallel developments create scope for exchanging regulatory experience alongside technical knowledge.
But legislation alone cannot deliver the intended transformation. The World Bank’s assessment of Vietnam’s path to high-income status emphasizes predictable regulation, capable public administration and better public investment. It identifies inconsistent implementation as a continuing obstacle for businesses. This provides a useful counterweight to the official emphasis on legislative progress: success depends on how reliably the new framework works in practice.
The implication is that the Seoul initiative should ultimately be judged by funded research partnerships, commercial applications and opportunities for Vietnamese firms. The meeting report describes proposals and policy intentions; it does not establish a new, funded bilateral AI program.
What Travelers Should Know
The reporting reviewed identifies no travel disruption or new entry restriction resulting from the meeting. There is therefore no identified reason to change an itinerary because of this diplomatic event.
Visitors to South Korea or Vietnam should still check entry requirements for their nationality and travel purpose. Researchers and business travelers should confirm with their host institution and the relevant consulate whether planned activities require additional authorization. Consult current official advice and airline updates before departure; British passport holders can use the U.K. government’s guidance for South Korea and Vietnam.
Sources: Vietnam News Agency, World Bank, Vietnam Government