Qualcomm has opened a new artificial intelligence R&D center in Vietnam, its third-largest globally after India and Ireland. Located in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam R&D Center will advance generative and agentic AI technologies for smart devices. It will support development across mobile, automotive, XR, and IoT ecosystems, accelerating innovation in next-generation AI applications.
This move strengthens Qualcomm’s Southeast Asia presence and supports Vietnam’s goal to become a regional AI leader by 2030. The center also promotes talent development, technology transfer, and expanded U.S.–Vietnam collaboration in high-tech and AI innovation.
Strategic Milestone for Vietnam’s Digital Economy
According to VietnamPlus, Qualcomm, the leading U.S. semiconductor company, has officially opened a new artificial intelligence research facility in Vietnam. This move marks a significant step in Qualcomm’s global innovation strategy, expanding its presence across emerging technology markets in Asia. The new facility, located in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, strengthens Qualcomm’s footprint in Southeast Asia’s growing AI sector.
It will serve as a vital node in the company’s global AI research network, advancing its cross-border development capabilities. The center focuses on building advanced generative and agentic AI technologies for smartphones, PCs, XR platforms, automotive systems, and IoT applications.
The newly opened center is Qualcomm’s second R&D facility in Vietnam and its third-largest globally, after India and Ireland. This expansion builds on the foundation of its original Hanoi center, which launched in 2020 for 5G chipset development. The earlier facility focused on engineering and design, helping establish Vietnam as a valuable contributor to Qualcomm’s global innovation pipeline.
At the launch event, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Le Xuan Dinh, welcomed Qualcomm’s investment in the country. He described the new AI center as a milestone in strengthening the U.S.–Vietnam strategic partnership in science and technology.
Moreover, he emphasized that the facility would boost Vietnam’s research capabilities and support workforce development through training and high-skilled employment opportunities. The center will also enable greater technology transfer and drive long-term socio-economic growth in alignment with national development goals.
Qualcomm Taps Into Vietnam’s AI Talent Pool
Qualcomm plans to leverage Vietnam’s growing tech talent to drive the next wave of its artificial intelligence advancements globally. It combines local expertise with global resources to speed up the development of scalable, efficient AI solutions across key technology sectors. This strategy strengthens Vietnam’s position in the global tech value chain and expands Qualcomm’s regional investment and strategic presence significantly.
Qualcomm previously established a 5G R&D lab in Hanoi in 2020, laying the foundation for this latest investment. The new AI R&D center will initially focus on generative and agentic AI systems to drive future digital innovation. It will collaborate with local institutions, businesses, and policymakers to speed up product development and real-world AI commercialization efforts.
Thieu Phuong Nam, Qualcomm’s Country Director for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, said the R&D center aligns with Vietnam’s national priorities. He emphasized its focus on artificial intelligence, semiconductor innovation, and digital transformation as part of the country’s long-term development strategy. Qualcomm remains committed to fostering ecosystem collaboration and capacity building through active knowledge exchange and practical, hands-on training initiatives.
Strengthening Vietnam’s Tech Relations
In addition to operating research centers, Qualcomm actively supports Vietnam’s startup ecosystem through several focused innovation and development initiatives. One key program is the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge, which offers funding, technical mentorship, and intellectual property guidance to startups. This initiative helps emerging local ventures grow, strengthening Vietnam’s position in high-tech entrepreneurship and accelerating domestic innovation capacity.
Vietnam, guided by the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on science, innovation, and digital transformation, has set ambitious goals to become one of Southeast Asia’s top three AI research hubs by 2030. As global technology firms like Qualcomm deepen their presence in the country, Vietnam’s vision of becoming a major player in AI and semiconductor innovation continues to gain momentum.
Conclusion
The opening of Qualcomm’s AI R&D facility in Vietnam represents more than just a regional expansion; it is a strategic statement that the future of AI will be forged jointly, with Vietnam playing an important role. Qualcomm is advancing Southeast Asia’s transition to a digital innovation powerhouse via innovation, education, and collaboration.
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