Bill Giannikos, Director of the Global Services Centre and Data Centre at Aurecon Vietnam, said data centre development has to be planned alongside land, power, telecoms and supporting services. Investors need clear information on land availability, power capacity, supply timelines and connectivity before committing to large projects.
Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – As Vietnam reworks its growth model around science, technology, innovation and productivity, it needs high-tech investment that adds value to the economy.
Land alone cannot attract tech projects
Vietnam has a major opportunity in the global digital shift as AI, cloud computing and digital services increasingly shape economic activity. Capturing it requires planning infrastructure as a whole rather than project by project, Bill Giannikos told the CEO 500 programme at the 2026 Autumn Economic Forum on October 26.
Giannikos pointed to Australia’s Victoria state, which coordinates land, energy and connectivity planning to build its digital ecosystem. He proposed that Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, study creating dedicated zones for digital infrastructure, with essential requirements built into planning from the start.
He stressed linking computing capacity with universities, enterprises and the workforce to speed up AI adoption in manufacturing, logistics, health care, education and public services. Returns on investment depend not only on data centre capacity, but on how technology is adopted and the value it creates.
Infrastructure must scale up and adapt to new technologies while taking into account energy and water efficiency and long-term resilience. That demands coordination among authorities, utilities, operators and technology suppliers from the planning stage.
Nguyen The Duy, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Deputy CEO of Becamex Group, said the larger development space after the merger gives Ho Chi Minh City a chance to build high-tech industrial hubs and modern urban areas.
A new generation of FDI investors is looking beyond land and factory space, paying attention also to connectivity infrastructure, technology access, workforce and production support services. Becamex is developing next-generation industrial parks that are smart and eco-friendly, linking production infrastructure with research, technology transfer, automation and workforce training.
Becamex aims to develop a science and technology urban area in northern Ho Chi Minh City into an ecosystem of high-tech industry, research and development, innovation, training and modern urban living. The area is planned to connect to the city centre via expressways, railways, metro lines and regional logistics networks.
Its representative proposed that the city continue building mechanisms for an industrial and science and technology ecosystem capable of attracting high-added-value FDI projects.
Clearing bottlenecks so technology adds value
Jesse Choi, General Director of Sunwah Southeast Asia, suggested that the city create conditions for firms to test technological solutions in real-world environments. It could support pilot sites, develop technical standards and risk management mechanisms, and set out a roadmap for bringing qualified technologies into commercial application.
Citing AI use to optimise wastewater treatment, Choi said the solution could cut operating costs by about 20–25%. Drones and self-driving electric vehicles also have potential for use in logistics and urban services.
San Eng, Chairman of Singapore-based WorkOptional.ai, said demand is growing for services that support AI agents capable of performing work in place of humans. This is driving demand for communication, transaction, payment, identity, authentication and risk management systems, which could become components of digital economy infrastructure.
He said Vietnam can absorb technology from many markets, develop domestic digital platforms and build a workforce able to adapt to new technologies. In his view, the city should study infrastructure for an AI-agent economy and strengthen links between its Vietnam International Financial Centre, investors and technology companies.
Working sessions with partners in Vietnam before the first quarter of 2027 are needed to seek cooperation opportunities and develop technology and financial platforms in line with the AI economy trend, he said.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
