Vietnam's deputy prime minister has called on Ho Chi Minh City to take a leading role in testing and scaling new artificial-intelligence and digital-asset models. The proposal matters because the city combines a large technology sector, financial institutions and universities that can turn national policy into practical commercial trials.
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung made the call at the Conviction 2026 forum, which opened in the city on 14 August. According to Vietnam News Agency, the event brought together public agencies, technology companies, investors, researchers and universities.
Dung said government should set direction, address major problems and support infrastructure, while researchers develop technology and skills. Companies would be expected to invest in research, use technology in operations and turn products into commercial services.
He also said technology development should include standards, safety and responsibility from the start. For AI, that includes transparency, accountability, data protection and human control. For digital assets, it includes legal compliance, investor protection and market safety.
The forum also produced a cooperation agreement between Ho Chi Minh City's electronics industry association and Busan Techno Park on a proposed digital corridor. That agreement and the wider call are early steps and do not establish that a regulatory testing programme is already running.
The useful next milestones will be named pilot projects, published rules, participating companies and results showing whether the city can move tested models into responsible commercial use.
Source note
Vietnam News Agency reported the deputy prime minister’s request and the forum agreement. The city has not yet demonstrated a running regulatory sandbox.