Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Director of the National Data Center, has warned that Vietnam is facing the risk of "data colonialism" as the majority of user data remains stored on foreign platforms.
On September 10, 2025, the National Data Association held a conference titled "AI Strategy and National, Organizational and Enterprise Data Architecture." The event served as a high-level forum for scientists, businesses, and policymakers to share insights and align on strategic approaches to AI and data development in the coming years.
Speaking at the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ai Viet, Director of the Institute for Generative Intelligence and Technology in Education (IGNITE), emphasized that countries which master data - a key resource and production factor in the digital economy - will surge ahead, while those who lag behind will be left in the dust.
According to the IGNITE director, the world has officially entered a new era, and Vietnam cannot stand outside of it. "This journey will not be lined with roses. We will face institutional barriers, ingrained habits, systemic complexity, cultural friction, and the challenge of innovation. But amid these trials, the intellect and resilience of the Vietnamese people will shine," he asserted.
He emphasized that success will not come from slogans or campaigns, and Vietnam cannot be relegated to a manufacturing base for others. Instead, the country must innovate its strategic thinking, develop scientific architecture, and build collective consensus.
"Concepts that may once have seemed distant - such as 'data architecture,' 'data methodology,' or 'international strategic models' - must become the foundation upon which we build a distinct path for Vietnamese intelligence in the AI era," said Dr. Viet.
Agreeing with this perspective, Tran Van Khai, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, noted: "Resolution 57 sets the goal for Vietnam to become a regional AI leader by 2030. To reach this target, an AI Law must be enacted. The 2025-2026 period is ideal for establishing a legal framework for AI development and governance."
He stated that the law should enshrine principles such as human-centered AI, data privacy, ethics, risk management, and transparency. It should also require labeling of AI-generated content to combat misinformation, support data infrastructure, foster innovation, allow AI sandbox testing in controlled environments, and clarify legal responsibilities for developers.
On the subject of data, Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Director of the National Data Center under the Ministry of Public Security and Vice Chairman of the National Data Association, emphasized that countries capable of effectively collecting, processing, and leveraging data will hold a competitive edge in the global economy. With a large population and rapid digital transformation, Vietnam possesses an immense "data treasure."
He described data as the fourth factor of production - alongside labor, capital, and land - and one that can enhance the productivity of all three through labor optimization, capital efficiency, and effective land use.
However, Vietnam still faces major challenges in data governance. These include vast amounts of unconnected data, insufficient control over data sovereignty, and weak governance structures. One of the most alarming risks, he warned, is "data colonialism," where the bulk of user data is stored on foreign platforms. This can lead to three serious consequences: technological dependency, value drain, and security vulnerabilities.
Major General Cuong proposed three key actions: building a unified data governance system based on four pillars - institutions, technology, processes, and people; developing comprehensive data mining capabilities; and creating a sustainable data ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders - from government and businesses to academia and citizens.
Speakers at the conference agreed that data and AI are no longer purely technological fields. They are strategic assets that determine national sovereignty, competitiveness, and global standing. Vietnam can only unlock the value of its data "treasure" and AI potential by turning its vision into laws, strategies, and concrete actions, rather than stopping at slogans.