Viet Nam launches first comprehensive national report on AI ethics under UNESCO framework

The report recognizes Viet Nam as a dynamic and proactive actor in AI advancement, having issued multiple legal instruments and a National AI Strategy, promoted open data sharing among government agencies, and climbed from 134th to 26th globally in AI-related scientific publications in just over a decade.

Viet Nam has also laid key foundations for digital transformation. In 2024, the country was ranked in the "Very High" category of the UN's E-Government Development Index for the first time, with extensive broadband and mobile coverage helping to bridge the rural-urban digital divide. Viet Nam demonstrates regional strengths in mathematics and science, -and public trust in digital governance remains among the highest globally - a vital enabler of responsible AI development.

Alongside these advances, the report identifies areas for further strengthening . Opportunities to access STEM education and participate in the AI ecosystem are not yet equally available to women, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities. While progress has been made in digital learning, more focus is needed on integrating AI ethics into training programmes and curricula. In the labour market, workers in key sectors such as finance, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing will increasingly require support for upskilling and career transitions.

Despite progress in data infrastructure, there is room to enhance interoperability and data sharing across sectors. The report also encourages more deliberate integration of environmental and cultural considerations into AI strategies, including energy management, e-waste, and support for indigenous languages.