Brian Jeffrey
Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, garnered attention during his recent visit to Vietnam, marking his second trip to the nation in less than a year. He unveiled significant initiatives, such as forming Nvidia Vietnam, acquiring VinBrain, and launching a major artificial intelligence (AI) research center.
Huang also received the esteemed VinFuture Prize and shared a casual moment with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, highlighting Nvidia’s strategic vision for Vietnam and its potential for tech innovation.
On December 5, Huang’s return to Vietnam followed his first visit in December 2023. His arrival drew considerable media and industry attention, as Nvidia, valued at $3.5 trillion, plays a pivotal role in the worldwide AI movement.
This visit marked the launch of Nvidia Vietnam alongside agreements to create two advanced AI facilities: the Vietnam Research and Development Center for AI (VRDC) and a high-tech AI data center. The VRDC will become Nvidia’s third global research center, adding to existing ones in Silicon Valley and Taiwan.
“This is a historic day for Nvidia and an important moment for Vietnam,” Huang noted, highlighting AI’s role in advancing economic and technological progress.
Nvidia also disclosed its acquisition of VinBrain, a Vietnamese startup focused on AI-powered medical solutions. Founded by former Microsoft executive Truong Quoc Hung, VinBrain’s DrAid tool can analyze large datasets from X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs with impressive precision, and it is already utilized in leading hospitals in Vietnam and abroad.
This acquisition highlights Nvidia’s acknowledgment of Vietnam’s emerging tech landscape. Furthermore, it’s reported that Nvidia may explore acquiring VinAI, another AI company belonging to billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong’s Vingroup.
The choice of Vietnam as Nvidia’s third major AI hub, surpassing established competitors like China, the UK, or Singapore, underscores the nation’s rising status in the global tech arena. Experts believe Nvidia’s strategy involves enhancing its global AI leadership through mergers, acquisitions, and educational initiatives.
Nvidia plans to open an AI training center in Vietnam, reflecting its dedication to fostering local talent using its technology, thereby reinforcing its role in shaping AI education in the region.
The preference for Vietnam as a focal point over other countries arises from its potential as a Southeast Asian tech hub. As AI becomes a crucial factor in economic expansion, Vietnam presents a strategic edge for Nvidia within the shifting global landscape, particularly amid the escalating US-China tech competition.
As AI becomes more intertwined with global economies, nations investing in AI advancements stand to reap substantial economic rewards. Nvidia’s involvement is set to energize Vietnam’s tech sector, draw global talent, and establish the country as a significant contributor to AI innovation.
Manh Ha
