Google, Saigon AI Hub Launch AI Lab in Vietnam

Photo courtesy of VN Express

Google has officially launched an AI Lab in Vietnam through a partnership with Saigon AI Hub (SAIH). This initiative grants local researchers early access to Google’s advanced AI technologies and expert support, aiming to bolster Vietnam’s research and innovation ecosystem. The collaboration, announced on Monday, marks a strategic move by Google Labs to effectively bridge the gap between theoretical AI research and real-world applications.

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SAIH, established by VNG Corporation and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, was selected as the first global partner for Google Labs' AI Futures Fund program. This collaboration entails early and exclusive access to Google's cutting-edge technologies and support from Google’s specialists, including those from Google DeepMind. The goal is to empower Vietnamese researchers to harness advanced AI models for developing impactful economic and social solutions.

Josh Woodward, a vice president at Google, emphasized that the partnership is designed to foster an environment conducive to narrowing the gap between research and practical application in Vietnam. Le Hong Minh, chairman of VNG, highlighted the value of such collaborations in providing critical resources that enable Vietnamese talent to compete globally in AI innovation.

The new AI Lab brings together 10 research teams with nearly 60 researchers from universities in Ho Chi Minh City. They focus on areas including linguistics, computer vision, human-robot interaction, healthcare applications, and cybersecurity. Each team is committed to publishing internationally recognized research and developing practical applications.

Looking forward, SAIH aims to expand its model with additional partners to further support AI research in Vietnam. This collaboration with Google is a pivotal step in overcoming resource limitations and enhancing the potential of Vietnam’s AI research community.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 07 Mar 2026