The development of the energy sector is now seen as a primary prerequisite or the "infrastructure of all infrastructure" for Vietnam's technological aspirations. This view was expressed by Professor Nguyen Quoc Sy, President of the VinIT Institute of Technology, during a discussion on the national industrialization and modernization strategy being pursued by the local government.
The Vietnamese government has set ambitious targets through Resolution 57, aiming for the country to reach upper-middle-income status by 2030 and become a developed country by 2045. To support this vision, a series of new legal policies were passed in 2025, including the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation and the Law on the Digital Technology Industry. This legal framework is designed to accelerate growth in crucial sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud infrastructure.
However, the biggest challenge to this transformation lies in energy demands. According to an analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centers supporting AI consume up to 25% more electricity than traditional servers, with extremely high power density levels. The need for a stable power supply with 99.999% availability is a non-negotiable technical requirement for the sustainability of high-tech industries.
In response, the Vietnamese Government, through the revised Power Development Plan VIII, aims to significantly increase national electricity capacity through 2050. This strategy includes diversifying energy sources by strengthening renewables such as wind and solar power, as well as utilizing nuclear energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to support power stability. A major investment of US$136 billion is projected to realize this infrastructure in the 2026–2030 period.
Professor Quoc Sy stressed that the integration between energy strategy and technology development plans must be carried out in parallel. He suggested that every data center and high-tech industrial zone be planned alongside a robust power transmission system. Furthermore, developing interdisciplinary human resources that combine energy and IT expertise will be key for Vietnam to compete on the global stage.
Ultimately, Vietnam's success in becoming a regional technology hub depends heavily on the readiness of its electrical infrastructure. By prioritizing energy stability as the foundation of its national strategy, Vietnam is expected to ensure seamless operations for its digital industry while securing its position in the future global digital economy.
