The Growth of AI Research and Development and High-Scale Infrastructure Investment in Vietnam 2026
- Kien Nguyen
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
The story of "Vietnam as the next factory of the world" is changing. By 2026, the narrative will include deep-tech R&D, data centers, and artificial intelligence in addition to industrial assembly lines. The increase in investment in Vietnam represents a significant shift for global technology leaders. Big companies like Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Viettel are investing billions in creating Southeast Asia's digital backbone rather than merely tinkering. The foundation for a new era of digital domination is being built, from AI research facilities in Hanoi to hyperscale data centers in Ho Chi Minh City.
1. Strategic Investment in Vietnam R&D Hubs for the AI Revolution
The biggest change in the investment environment for 2025–2026 is the transition from "outsourcing coding" to "inventing technology." International semiconductor and AI companies are picking Vietnam for both research and implementation.
1.1. Qualcomm's Hanoi Strategic Investment
An important milestone was reached in 2025 with the Qualcomm AI R&D Center. This Hanoi-based institution is a key innovation hub that focuses on the following areas, rather than being a support center:
Automotive Technologies: Creating software for smart cars of the future.
XR and IoT: Pushing the limits of linked gadgets and extended reality. This action positions the capital as a "brain center" for deep tech by utilizing Hanoi's abundant academic talent from prestigious technical institutes.
1.2. The AI Infrastructure Play of Nvidia
Although it has a different purpose, Nvidia's foray into Ho Chi Minh City is similarly crucial. NVIDIA is developing the intellectual and physical infrastructure for AI with a $200 million investment.
The Hardware: To train large language models (LLMs), a specialized data center with 1,000 high-performance racks is used.
The Partnership: Working closely with the Vietnamese government guarantees integration with national digital objectives and regulatory assistance.
2. The Boom in Infrastructure Data Centers at a High Scale
Massive processing power is needed for AI, and investors are rushing to construct data centers, the "factories" of the digital era. In 2025, data infrastructure investments in Vietnam reached billion-dollar levels.
2.1. The Billion-Dollar Fortress of Viettel
Leading the way with a $1 billion complex in Hanoi is Viettel, the biggest telecom company in Vietnam.
Scale: With 10,000 racks and a 140 MW capacity, it is among Southeast Asia's biggest facilities.
Timeline: The April 2025 groundbreaking marks a swift effort to satisfy the skyrocketing demand for data storage and cloud sovereignty.
2.2. The Growing Powerhouse of CMC
CMC Telecom is strengthening the digital infrastructure of Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Flexibility is built into the design of the CMC Hyperscale Data Center.
Capacity: It is designed to grow up to 120 MW based on demand, starting at 30 MW.
Status: This plant is now operating and growing, providing immediate capacity for foreign companies entering the market, in contrast to certain planned initiatives.
2.3. Eco-Friendly and AI-Ready The VietinBank & AIC Initiative
The article highlights the AI-Powered Hyperscale Data Center Complex in Ho Chi Minh City, which is a joint venture between VietinBank and Accelerated Infrastructure Capital (AIC).
Scale: An astounding 200 MW capacity, requiring a $2 billion expenditure.
Focus: Specifically created for AI workloads, indicating Vietnam's preparedness for the upcoming computer age.
3. Packaging and Manufacturing in the Semiconductor Supply Chain
Investment in Vietnam is cementing a crucial position in the global hardware supply chain, going beyond software and data.
Amkor Technology: The sophisticated Bac Ninh packaging facility is a significant $1.6 billion investment. This plant, which opened in late 2025, is essential to the worldwide supply chain for chips.
Hana Micron: This project, which will invest $930 million in Bac Giang and concentrate on semiconductor packaging, would solidify Northern Vietnam's position as a center for high-tech component manufacture.
These investments attest to Vietnam's effective adoption of the "China +1" approach, drawing in high-value manufacturing that calls for qualified engineers rather than merely physical labor.
The Reasons This Is Important for Your 2026 Plan
The JT1 IT Salary Guide 2026's description of the investment tsunami in Vietnam makes it quite evident that the ecosystem is developing more quickly than anticipated. In terms of hiring top engineers, you are now up against Nvidia, Qualcomm, and SAP in addition to regional outsourcing companies. Vietnam will soon provide cloud-native companies with world-class dependability thanks to the enormous data center capacity going up (Viettel, CMC, AIC). The market is made less risky by the existence of these behemoths. The basis is strong if SAP and Amkor are placing billion-dollar bets on Vietnam's skill and stability. Are you considering making your own investment in Vietnam? Learn everything there is to know about the talent market that these industry titans are pursuing. To view legal foundations, recruitment tactics, and compensation benchmarks, download the entire handbook.
What major tech investments did Nvidia and Qualcomm make in Vietnam in 2025?
In 2025, Qualcomm officially launched its AI R&D Center in Hanoi (June 2025), focusing on AI, XR (Extended Reality), IoT, and automotive technologies. Meanwhile, Nvidia is developing an AI R&D and Data Center in Ho Chi Minh City, a project valued at $200 million that involves 1,000 racks and a strategic partnership with the Vietnamese government to accelerate domestic AI capabilities.
Where is Viettel building its new High-Tech Data Center complex in Vietnam?
Viettel is constructing its massive High-Tech Data Center & R&D Complex in Hanoi (specifically the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park area). This is a landmark project with a total investment of $1 billion, designed to have a 140 MW capacity and house 10,000 racks. Groundbreaking took place in April 2025, with completion targeted before 2030.
Which global tech giants are establishing R&D centers in Vietnam in 2025?
Alongside Nvidia and Qualcomm, SAP is a notable giant establishing a dedicated SAP Labs Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. This project involves an investment of €150 million and aims to recruit 500 staff. While operational status is expected from 2027, the strategic commitment was solidified in the 2025 investment landscape.
What is the scale of the new CMC Hyperscale Data Center in Ho Chi Minh City?
The CMC Hyperscale Data Center in Ho Chi Minh City is a critical infrastructure project with an initial capacity of 30 MW, expandable to 120 MW. The total investment sits at $250 million. It is currently operational with further expansion underway, serving as a key node for cloud computing and digital services in the southern economic zone.
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