Abu Dhabi’s G42 Enters Vietnam in $1 Billion Hyperscale AI Drive

The collaboration was formalized through a framework cooperation agreement between G42, FPT Corporation, and Viet Thai Group, setting the foundation for the deployment of AI-ready cloud platforms and data-centere infrastructure across Vietnam. The project is designed to support government, enterprise, and innovation-driven workloads, while strengthening Vietnam’s ability to control how data is processed, stored, and governed within its own borders.

At the center of the agreement is a shared emphasis on sovereignty and partnership. Rather than adopting an off-the-shelf cloud or AI model, the framework focuses on building infrastructure that aligns with Vietnam’s national priorities, regulatory environment, and long-term development strategy. This approach reflects a growing trend among governments that are increasingly cautious about relying exclusively on foreign platforms for critical digital capabilities.

Ali Al Amine, Chief Commercial Officer of G42 International, said, “This Framework Agreement represents a new model for national AI transformation – one built on sovereignty, partnership, and purpose. We are grateful to the Government of Vietnam for their visionary leadership and to our partners, the FPT Corporation and the Viet Thai Group for their commitment to building infrastructure that enables Vietnam to harness AI's full potential while maintaining data sovereignty and digital independence.”

The planned infrastructure is expected to provide the backbone for a wide range of AI use cases, from public-sector digital services and enterprise analytics to advanced data-intensive applications. By anchoring compute capacity locally, Vietnam aims to reduce its reliance on overseas data centres while creating an environment where AI systems can be deployed at scale in compliance with domestic laws and standards.

Vietnamese leaders have framed the partnership as a recognition that national ambition in advanced technology increasingly depends on trusted international collaboration. As AI development becomes more complex and capital-intensive, few countries can realistically build end-to-end ecosystems in isolation.

Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT Corporation, said, “Vietnam clearly understands that it cannot move forward alone. In areas such as semiconductors, AI, cloud computing, big data, and cybersecurity, we need strategic alliances with partners we can rely on and trust. The leaders have shown strong commitment, built mutual trust, and now it is time to turn those commitments into real implementation.”

Beyond infrastructure, the agreement is positioned as a catalyst for broader ecosystem development. Large-scale AI platforms often serve as anchors for workforce training, academic collaboration, and the emergence of local startups that can build services tailored to domestic and regional needs. Over time, this can help shift AI adoption from experimentation to production-level deployment across multiple sectors of the economy.

For Viet Thai Group, the initiative is closely tied to economic outcomes rather than technology for its own sake. The company has framed the partnership as a way to support sustainable growth, expand opportunities for businesses, and contribute to rising living standards as AI becomes embedded across industries.

David Thai, Chairman & CEO of Viet Thai Group, said, “This initiative positions Vietnam at the forefront of AI-driven economic development in Asia, supporting economic development and the growth of the middle class in Vietnam. Our partnership with G42 and FPT creates the infrastructure foundation for long-term growth and innovation across multiple sectors.”

The announcement also places Vietnam more firmly within the regional competition for AI leadership in Southeast Asia. As neighboring countries accelerate their own digital transformation strategies, control over foundational AI infrastructure is emerging as a key differentiator. Governments are increasingly focused on who owns the compute layer, how data flows across borders, and how national interests are protected as AI systems scale.

While the framework agreement outlines strategic intent rather than detailed timelines, its significance lies in the signal it sends. Vietnam is positioning AI infrastructure alongside transport, energy, and telecommunications as a pillar of national development. The involvement of both domestic champions and an international AI group suggests a model that balances openness with control, a balance many emerging economies are now seeking.

Execution will be the next critical phase. Translating high-level commitments into operational infrastructure will require coordination across regulators, utilities, enterprises, and technology teams. Yet the alignment between government vision and private-sector participation suggests momentum behind the project.

AI is increasingly reshaping global economic structures, and Vietnam’s approach reflects a broader rethinking of how nations engage with advanced technology. Rather than passively adopting external platforms, the country is moving to shape its own AI foundations, with sovereignty, partnership, and long-term purpose at the core.