Vietnam’s National Data Centre Signals a Digital Power Shift in Southeast Asia
The National Data Centre in Hanoi isn’t just infrastructure. It’s the OS of a sovereign AI economy in Southeast Asia.
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Most people are focused on Singapore. But Vietnam may be the most important AI infrastructure story in Southeast Asia right now.
On February 25, 2025, Vietnam officially launched its National Data Centre under the Ministry of Public Security. It will be fully operational by August 19.
On the surface, it looks like another government digital initiative.
But underneath, it’s the foundation of a broader, more ambitious national play:
Control the data, power the economy, and compete in the age of AI.
A Centralized Engine for Sovereign Data Strategy
Vietnam’s National Data Centre isn’t just about storing information.
It’s about creating an intelligent, secure layer for national data infrastructure that can support:
Integrated and synchronized datasets across government agencies
Real-time analytics to inform policymaking
AI-ready compute environments
Blockchain platforms and decentralized identity
High-performance computing for innovation and security
This isn't theoretical. It's operational.
The center will also house a National Data Innovation and Exploitation Centre, tasked with converting raw data into actionable insights, commercial applications, and digital services.
Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang framed it clearly: data is now a national resource. Vietnam is treating it as such.
Why It Matters for Investors and Operators
The National Data Centre is just the tip of the spear.
It anchors a rapidly expanding digital infrastructure market that is now one of the most promising in Asia:
Data center market size: $654 million in 2024, projected to reach $1.75 billion by 2030 (CAGR 17.93%)
Construction cost per MW: Among the lowest in Asia at ~$6.9M
Land costs: Just 5% of total capex, compared to 20%+ in Tier 1 hubs
Legal environment: Full foreign ownership of data centers now allowed (removal of 49% FDI cap)
Green growth: Commitment to 39% renewable energy by 2030
In a cost-constrained global market, this combination of regulatory clarity, price competitiveness, and government commitment is rare.
Who’s Building?
Vietnamese tech giants are making big moves:
Viettel: Plans to build 24 data centers by 2030, with 560MW in total capacity. The company currently operates 14 facilities and is building 11 more that will handle 40% of national demand.
CMC: Pledged $500 million toward new data centers in Vietnam and abroad.
VNPT, VNG, and FPT: All expanding rapidly.
NVIDIA Partnership: Viettel will deploy 800 supercomputers and 6,000 GPUs for AI workloads.
And global firms are paying attention:
Amazon, Microsoft, Google, ST Telemedia, Alibaba, Supermicro, all exploring or expanding in Vietnam.
New players: Epsilon Telecommunications, Gaw Capital, Infracrowd Capital, all entered in 2024.
This isn’t speculative, it’s already happening.
The Strategic Layer: AI, Connectivity, and National Security
Vietnam’s digital infrastructure plan is broader than just data centers:
AI Readiness: Facilities like Viettel’s green, 30MW AI-ready data center are being purpose-built for generative workloads.
Subsea cables: 10 new routes by 2030, including Asia Direct Cable (going live 2025)
Domestic 5G: Universal high-speed internet and full 5G deployment targeted by 2025
Digital economy growth: From $23B in 2022 to a projected $50B by 2025
This is the scaffolding for a fully connected, sovereign digital economy.
And while regulatory hurdles and land/power access remain challenges, Vietnam is actively legislating to remove them.
Final Thought
Vietnam is not playing catch-up.
It is leapfrogging.
Where others see infrastructure, Vietnam sees strategic advantage. Where others see sunk cost, Vietnam sees sovereignty.
The National Data Centre is not just a government facility—it’s the operating system of a new digital nation.
If you're an investor, operator, policymaker, or strategist looking at Southeast Asia, take a closer look.
The most underestimated infrastructure transformation in the region may be unfolding in Hanoi.
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