KT and Viettel Launch Strategic Partnership 2.0 to Accelerate Vietnam’s National AI Ambitions

KT and Viettel Strengthen Strategic Partnership to Advance Vietnam’s National AI Strategy

KT (CEO Kim Young-seop) and Viettel Group, a major Vietnamese state-owned ICT company, have signed a Strategic Partnership 2.0 to accelerate Vietnam’s national AI strategy and expand AI Experience (AX) applications across industries. This agreement, announced on the 12th, marks a significant step forward in bilateral cooperation ahead of the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, which brings together around 500 business leaders from both countries.

Building on their initial collaboration from May, both companies are moving into a phase focused on practical joint projects and deeper involvement in Vietnam’s AI initiatives. Executives from KT and Viettel have engaged in intensive discussions and multiple visits between South Korea and Vietnam to finalize a detailed cooperation roadmap.

Four Pillars of Cooperation

The partnership focuses on four main areas:

• National AI Strategy and Industry-Specific AX Platforms: Developing a tailored national AI framework and vertical AX platforms for sectors like healthcare, defense, and media.
• Southeast Asian AX Ecosystem Expansion: Leveraging Viettel’s regional presence and KT’s global technology partnerships to boost AX growth across Southeast Asia.
• AI-Based Cybersecurity: Enhancing digital safety by jointly developing solutions to combat threats such as voice phishing and deepfakes in real time.
• AX Capability Building and Talent Development: Establishing the Global AX Innovation Center (G-AXC) to train AI experts and create certification programs for AI skills.

National AI Language Model and Industry Platforms

A core part of the agreement is the joint development of a national general-purpose AI language model, designed specifically to understand Vietnam’s language, culture, and administrative needs. This model will support education, government services, and other public sectors, reinforcing Vietnam’s digital sovereignty.

In addition, the partners will create vertical AX platforms customized for Vietnam’s key industries. These platforms aim to improve productivity and operational efficiency by integrating AI solutions tailored to local market requirements.

Expanding Southeast Asia’s AX Ecosystem

Viettel will integrate into KT’s extensive global partnerships, enabling access to advanced technologies and collaboration with major international tech companies. This connection is expected to help Vietnam successfully implement its national AX initiatives and facilitate KT’s expansion into neighboring markets.

Building AI Talent and Ensuring Security

The establishment of the Global AX Innovation Center will focus on research, development, and validation of AI models, while also delivering practical AX training programs for Vietnamese citizens. A certification system will objectively assess AI competencies, supporting broader adoption and skill development.

Given the rise of AI-based cyber threats, KT and Viettel will jointly develop real-time AI solutions to detect and block phishing attacks and other fraudulent activities. Sharing expertise and case data between the two countries will strengthen the security framework for the AI ecosystem.

Strategic Engagement at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum

The signing ceremony took place at KT’s Gwanghwamun East Building on the 11th, with top executives including KT CEO Kim Young-seop and Viettel Group Chairman Tao Duc Thang in attendance. The following day, both companies participated in the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, presenting partnership examples and discussing further cooperation opportunities with AX-capable firms.

Jung Woo-jin, Executive Director of KT’s Strategy and Business Consulting Division, shared KT’s strategic approach to AI and AX in Vietnam, emphasizing plans to strengthen AI engineering and expand the AX ecosystem to meet global AI competition.

A Model for Global AI Collaboration

KT is developing a Global AX Delivery Model with Viettel, covering AI model development, talent cultivation, and AI adoption. This approach allows KT to respond swiftly to market changes while deepening cooperation with Viettel across all AX domains.

Tao Duc Thang highlighted the partnership’s goal to secure AI solutions that reflect Vietnam’s unique data and industry characteristics, expecting the collaboration to drive digital transformation across Vietnam’s industries.

Kim Young-seop noted that this partnership extends beyond technology provision, aiming to build Vietnam’s future growth engines through national AI strategies and industry platforms. KT is committed to opening a new chapter of AI innovation in partnership with Vietnam.

For executives shaping AI strategy and partnerships, this collaboration between KT and Viettel offers a clear example of how cross-border cooperation can accelerate national AI ambitions while fostering talent and securing digital environments.