Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how people live, work, and manage organizations. It has the potential to drive digital transformation, yet AI adoption in Vietnam’s public sector remains limited due to several key challenges, according to the survey Overview of Artificial Intelligence in Vietnam’s Public Sector.

One of the major barriers is the critical role of data and infrastructure. Many AI applications are either inadequate, misaligned with public sector needs, or lack proper implementation.

Tran Anh Tu, deputy head of the Department of Science, Technology, and Engineering at the Ministry of Science and Technology, highlighted the issue, "Although efforts have been made to integrate and share data systems, they remain fragmented and not yet synchronized. AI adoption also faces difficulties due to a lack of data infrastructure and skilled professionals."

Additionally, policy development struggles to keep pace with AI’s rapid evolution. While various AI applications have been introduced, regulatory frameworks lag behind, failing to address key concerns such as AI ethics and system accountability.

Legal uncertainties further hinder AI integration in public administration. There is a lack of clear guidelines, inadequate risk assessment, and insufficient attention to data privacy and personal information protection.

Despite these challenges, AI is proving beneficial in certain areas. For example, legal virtual assistants are helping judges and court officials by leveraging a vast legal knowledge base.

With access to over 160,000 legal documents, 63 case precedents, and more than one million rulings, these AI-powered tools can reduce workload by 30% compared to traditional methods.

Experts involved in the survey recommend that AI adoption should align with the actual needs and capabilities of public sector agencies.

Experts involved in the survey recommend that AI adoption should be tailored to the actual needs and capabilities of public sector agencies. Furthermore, enhancing data infrastructure, expanding access to high-quality datasets, and developing AI-driven applications should be prioritized.

 Nguyen Quang Dong, Director of the Institute for Policy Research and Media Development (IPS), emphasized AI’s untapped potential: "Vietnam’s public sector still has ample room for AI adoption, particularly in three key areas, including supporting government leaders in decision-making, improving daily operational efficiency for civil servants, and enhancing public service quality for businesses and citizens."

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