Mr. Le Viet Thang, CEO of 1Office: "Don’t use old solutions for new ai challenges"

DNHN - As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the global technology landscape, Vietnam is taking decisive steps to establish a National AI Research and Development Center, alongside the National Data Center.

These two strategic initiatives are expected to become powerful catalysts positioning Vietnam among the region’s tech frontrunners.

On this pivotal occasion, Business and Integration Magazine spoke with Mr. Le Viet Thang, CEO of 1Office, a pioneering company that has developed an AI Agent platform serving over 6,000 enterprises. He shares his candid views on the challenges and strategic direction for AI in Vietnam, from the perspective of a technology enterprise.

Reporter: Vietnam currently lacks a state-run national AI research and development center. Recent collaborations with major corporations like Qualcomm and NVIDIA have been limited to MoUs and ceremonial launches aimed at laying the groundwork for an AI ecosystem. In your view, what immediate steps should Vietnam take to make this AI center operational and effective?

Le Viet Thang: I’m genuinely concerned by the proliferation of AI alliances and associations that lack effective mechanisms for operation. AI, at its core, is a product of market competition. Only when there is clear economic incentive can real technological innovation thrive. The economy determines the viability of tech products.

Vietnam’s greatest opportunity is to catch the “global AI train.” We all need to get on board but we must build our systems based on the Vietnamese data infrastructure. We cannot allow valuable data to leak abroad via international platforms and tools. That’s where the Government must take proactive action.

The State needs to do just one thing: trust and use locally made products. That’s the best way to nurture the development of Vietnamese AI.

Regarding funding, I don’t believe subsidies are necessary. Instead, the Government should place orders for domestic AI solutions. The most practical support is not through grants or superficial programs, but through actual usage. The Government’s role is not to replace businesses, but to create the conditions, connecting and facilitating the ecosystem so that companies can do the work. Businesses are the true engine that turns technology into value. That’s how success is defined.

The Government’s priorities should center on three critical areas. First, the establishment of a standardized, secure, and interoperable national open data infrastructure, one that is regularly updated and scalable to meet future demands. Second, the rapid development of a comprehensive legal framework, with legislation submitted to the National Assembly on an expedited timeline, rather than being delayed for months. Third, the rollout of clearly defined, locally implemented sandbox environments. Without such controlled pilots, fear of making mistakes will continue to stifle innovation and without experimentation, progress simply cannot happen.

The National AI R&D Center is a strategic opportunity that must be implemented swiftly. But its value will only be realized if it is designed for execution, not just eloquently written plans. If the center becomes a hub of standardized data, operates in a sandbox model, and issues real-world problem-solving contracts to Vietnamese businesses, it will be a powerful launchpad for Vietnam’s AI ambitions.

Reporter: Vietnam still faces serious challenges in developing a leading regional AI R&D center, including standardized data, transparent funding mechanisms, ethical frameworks, and risks of superficial implementation. How should these be addressed?

Le Viet Thang: The biggest bottleneck is input data, something only the Government can solve. That’s why the priority must be building a robust data infrastructure: safe, transparent, and accessible for collection, storage, and sharing.

The launch of the National Data Center led by the Ministry of Public Security is a completely correct move. This center will accelerate and enhance the effectiveness of the AI Center. Coordination between these national-level entities will provide a foundation for Vietnamese tech companies to grow rapidly.

We can learn from leading global AI centers. For example, MIT CSAIL (USA) is a hub for thousands of patents and breakthrough ideas, not thanks to government funding, but due to its dynamic links with tech giants like Amazon, NVIDIA, and IBM. Stanford HAI is shaping ethical standards for responsible AI. AI Singapore operates as a non-profit organization with a business model guided by clear KPIs, such as how many AI applications must be deployed annually.

• Reporter: In your opinion, how should the Government work with tech companies to develop a national AI R&D center?

Le Viet Thang: The State should empower Vietnamese businesses to take the lead.

From a policy-making perspective, I hope the national AI center will focus on building and standardizing the data infrastructure. Only the Government has the authority and capacity to consolidate nationwide data, something no private company can achieve.

Once data becomes available, businesses can handle the rest, from implementation to solving real-world problems. The Government should not directly develop AI applications. Businesses, driven by economic accountability, are best positioned to find optimal solutions using their resources. They understand the pain points and have a vested interest in outcomes.

In the past, government-commissioned projects have often fallen short. Why? In many cases, those setting the “problem statements” didn’t fully understand the underlying issues.

Instead of widespread investment in superficial projects that lack deep practical value, we need to allow enterprises to lead application development. That’s the more effective and sustainable approach.

Reporter: In the actual implementation of AI, especially following the recent administrative restructuring, what are the main challenges Vietnamese enterprises are facing?

Le Viet Thang: Don’t try to solve new problems with old approaches.

Vietnamese businesses have a strong spirit of innovation and are ready to embrace AI. The real issue is that the current solutions available often don’t align with practical business needs. When applications don’t fit, companies are forced to abandon them or look elsewhere.

Additionally, Vietnam’s economic structure makes it difficult for founders and executives to commit to long-term investments in technology R&D. Financial resources are still heavily directed toward short-term, high-yield sectors. That leaves AI, which requires patience and long-term vision underfunded and underappreciated.

Thank you for your insights, Mr. Thang.

Hoàng Lan