Google seeks stronger AI cooperation with Vietnam

Google expresses interest in expanding AI cooperation

Cris Turner, Google’s Global Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, said the company wanted to find further ways to cooperate effectively with Vietnam, particularly in AI. The meeting took place at Government headquarters.

Vietnam hopes Google will help develop its digital ecosystem and support Make in Vietnam products in reaching international markets. The direction of cooperation encompasses research, technology transfer and workforce training.

Context: skills training and startup support

Earlier, on June 18, 2025, Google and the National Innovation Center (NIC) announced expanded cooperation through Google for Startups programs and a Vietnamese-language Google AI Essentials course, according to the Government’s online newspaper.

Those initiatives targeted two groups: startups developing AI solutions and workers who needed AI skills. This information was announced in 2025; it is not a new enrollment schedule or registration invitation for October 2026. Interested readers should check the current status with the organizers.

Another direction: connecting research with practical applications

According to VNG’s May 4, 2026 announcement, Google Labs’ AI Futures Fund and Saigon AI Hub announced cooperation to implement an Applied AI Lab model in Vietnam. Saigon AI Hub was jointly founded by VNG Group and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.

The announcement said research teams would gain access to Google technology and expert support; the fund could consider investing in research teams and startups with the potential to develop products from prototypes. Eligibility for consideration does not mean every team will receive funding.

From a business perspective, this model points to a direction worth watching: connecting research capabilities with problems that can be addressed in practice. However, a prototype still needs its reliability, user demand and operational viability validated before it becomes a commercial product.

BHKD perspective: where should businesses begin?

For small business owners, the practical question is which tasks consume significant time but have sufficiently clear data and review standards. Starting points could include classifying support requests, drafting content or finding information in internal documents authorized for use. These are BHKD’s suggestions, not Google programs announced at the meeting.

A trial needs an accountable owner and a human review step. If AI produces drafts faster but the team spends many additional hours correcting errors, the benefits may fall short of expectations. Measurement should include time, quality and the total effort required.

Hypothetical scenario: a customer service team tests AI to suggest how questions should be classified. Rather than sending automated answers straight to customers, the team compares suggestions with results already reviewed by the responsible person. This approach helps establish where AI is useful before expanding its use.

From cooperation objectives to results worth monitoring

BHKD believes the next milestones to watch are specific programs, participation requirements, capabilities transferred and practical application results. A discussion about general direction is not sufficient to conclude that businesses will receive funding, free access to technology or an immediate commercial opportunity.

Founders can prepare a problem brief in advance: who faces the problem, what data is available, how it is currently addressed, its cost and the outcomes that need improvement. This brief is useful when testing solutions independently, working with technology partners or seeking suitable support programs.

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