Vietnam : Ho Chi Minh City to train 2 million Citizens in AI by 2030
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has launched the AI for Citizens programme, aiming to train nearly 2 million people, or 15% of the population, in AI. Deputy Chairwoman of the Committee, Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, signed and released the plan for the 2025-2030 period earlier this week.
According to a release, the programme will promote and “popularise” the technology by teaching foundational knowledge and practical skills, enabling people to apply AI in their everyday lives, at work, and in education. Its target audience includes civil servants, workers, and students. The goal is to upskill the country’s workforce, enabling it to adapt to a smart city and a digital economy.
The plan outlines several clear targets. Between 2026 and 2027, the focus is to train 1% of the population each year, reaching a total 2% by the end of 2027. During the ‘acceleration phase’ from 2028 to 2030, the city will train at least 5% of its population each year, totalling more than 600,000 people. A further key objective is for 80% of course graduates to be able to apply at least one AI tool in their work or daily life.
To meet these targets, the government has put together an action plan. For example, in its curriculum, the programme will focus on practical knowledge without requiring programming skills or advanced mathematics. The content will be straightforward, easy to understand, and supported by real-life examples of AI applications already in use across the city. It will also go over topics related to ethics and AI safety.
Regarding delivery, short-term courses (2 to 4 sessions) will be held in person at public offices and cultural centres. A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform dedicated to AI learning will be built, in compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This will make access easier for senior citizens and people with limited tech skills. Additionally, the programme will integrate with VNeID (Vietnam’s national digital ID) using single sign-on (SSO) functionality for convenience.
The city is planning to launch a communication campaign to promote the programme, with the aim of offering at least 50% of citizens a ‘correct understanding’ of AI. The objective is to achieve 1 million interactions with AI learning content across television and digital platforms.
As OpenGov Asia reported earlier, Vietnam has the potential to become a regional leader in AI adoption, given its large number of Internet and smartphone users. To leverage this momentum for economic growth, the country needs to close the gap between innovation and widespread commercial use. The priority has now shifted from experimentation to delivering real value. The AI for Citizens is a step in this direction.
AI is increasingly recognised as a key driver of the country’s digital economic growth. The main supplier industries include IT (31%), finance and banking (22%), education (17%), and healthcare and e-commerce (15%). Demand is highest in the education, finance, manufacturing, transport, and healthcare sectors.
In the public sector, AI investment is on the rise. The National Technology Innovation Fund (NATIF) provides significant support for AI adoption and a new procurement framework prioritising local digital solutions.
For companies and startups, investment in domestic AI firms has grown sharply, from US$10 million in 2023 to US$80 million in 2024. The Ministry of Science and Technology is also updating the National AI Strategy to 2030 and is preparing a draft AI law to ensure the safe, transparent, and responsible development of AI.
Furthermore, the Ministry recently hosted the Vietnam International Digital Week (VIDW 2025), where the main theme was enabling safe, people-centric AI governance through strategies, policies, and legal frameworks.
Opengovasia.com – October 30, 2025