Google, NIC empower Vietnamese startups

THE HANOI TIMES — Google and the Ministry of Finance’s the National Innovation Center (NIC)  launched two new Google for Startups programs today, June 18. These programs aim to accelerate AI development and strengthen Vietnam’s digital economy.

The programs include the Vietnamese rollout of the Google AI Essentials course, which is a significant step in building AI skills for startups and the workforce.

This expanded collaboration is part of the ongoing “Build for the AI Future” initiative and is expected to benefit 150 startups this year through the programs.

The three-day Google for Startups AI Bootcamp 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City will provide 100 startups and 200 developers with GenAI solutions, rapid prototyping and MVP development, and pitch preparation and refinement.

The second program, the Google for Startups AI Solutions Lab 2025, features a four-day hackathon co-hosted with the Danang Semiconductor & AI Center (DSAC). Fifty selected startups will develop generative AI solutions to tackle local challenges.

Participants are eligible to apply for six months of free office space sponsored by DSAC, while the top 10 teams will pitch their innovations to a broader audience from both the public and private sectors at the upcoming Google Vietnam AI event in September.

At the event, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung said that Vietnam’s strategic focus on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation is the most effective route to achieving rapid, inclusive, and sustainable development.

He said these drivers boost economic growth, labor productivity, and competitiveness.

Dung emphasized two pivotal national policies, Resolutions No. 57 and No. 68 of the Political Bureau, which are crucial for advancing science, innovation, and the private sector in Vietnam.

NIC Director Vu Quoc Huy said that these programs focus on three pillars of collaboration: Digital talent development (Google Career Certificates), startup support (Google for Startups), and the Google for Developers program. The NIC and Google have fostered the innovation and startup ecosystem in Vietnam. 

Marc Woo, Managing Director of Google Vietnam, emphasized the economic potential of AI, noting that AI adoption could add VND1,890 trillion (US$72.4 billion) to Vietnam's GDP by 2030. "Vietnam is not just participating in the AI wave. It is a leader. The number of AI startups has grown over 4.5-fold since 2021."

He said the 2025 AI Bootcamp and Solution Lab, alongside the launch of Google AI Essentials course in Vietnamese, are expected to solidify Vietnam's position as a regional AI leader.

Since 2022, Google's "Build for the AI Future" drive in collaboration with the NIC has supported over 500 Vietnamese startups through programs such as the Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass.

To date, it has awarded 60,000 scholarships for Google Career Certificates through an extensive network of over 150 universities and social impact organizations.

The curriculum includes in-demand fields such as data analytics, UX design, digital marketing and e-commerce, and AI essentials, equipping the workforce to meet current market demands.

Notably, the AI Essentials course, a self-paced learning module requiring up to 10 hours, provides participants with practical insights into leveraging generative AI tools to enhance productivity, mastering effective prompt techniques, and fostering responsible AI usage by identifying potential biases and mitigating harm. The course is now available in Vietnamese.