Vietnam taps overseas intellectuals to accelerate AI-driven development

Vietnam is moving to mobilize its overseas intellectual capital as a strategic economic resource, with authorities establishing dedicated networks to connect diaspora experts with domestic enterprises, universities and research institutions. The effort reflects growing recognition that Vietnamese professionals abroad represent a largely untapped advantage in accelerating the nation's technological and economic development.

Under the framework being implemented, overseas Vietnamese can contribute through multiple channels including direct knowledge transfer, professional experience sharing, and facilitation of business and research partnerships between Vietnam and international counterparts. The approach broadens traditional models of diaspora engagement beyond financial remittances to encompass intellectual capital and institutional linkages.

Policymakers acknowledge that while individual contributions from overseas professionals may appear modest in isolation, their cumulative effect can generate substantial competitive advantages. By systematizing connections between Vietnamese intellectuals abroad and domestic stakeholders, authorities aim to accelerate innovation adoption and narrow technology and development gaps with more advanced economies.

The initiative emphasizes leveraging artificial intelligence and digital technologies as vehicles for closing development disparities. Officials view the overseas Vietnamese community—particularly those in technology, research and business sectors—as essential partners in Vietnam's digital transformation strategy.