Generation Z is taking the lead in Vietnam’s fast-evolving artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, with the nation’s young people embracing new technologies at a remarkable pace. According to a recent report released on September 4, 2025, by Decision Lab, titled The State of Consumer AI in Vietnam 2025, AI adoption is soaring across all age groups in Vietnam, but it’s Gen Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—who are at the forefront of this digital transformation.
This comprehensive report, built on an online survey of 600 Vietnamese internet users, paints a vivid picture of a society that’s not just open to AI, but actively weaving it into the fabric of daily life. The numbers are striking: 78% of respondents had used at least one AI platform in the past three months, and a solid 33% reported using AI every single day, largely out of habit. Even more telling, more than half—55%—said they’d be willing to pay for advanced AI services, signaling that AI is not only widely accepted but also ripe for commercialization.
“Gen Z is the most active AI user group, with 86% having used AI and 40% using it in daily life,” Decision Lab’s report highlights. This trend is especially pronounced among knowledge workers: a staggering 92% of students surveyed reported AI usage, followed closely by office workers and business owners at 78%. The link between education and AI adoption is clear, too. University graduates showed a 78% usage rate, while those with postgraduate degrees pushed that figure to 84%. It seems that the more education someone has, the more likely they are to integrate AI into their routines.
But what are people actually doing with AI in Vietnam? The applications are as varied as they are practical. In education and work, AI tools are used to develop new skills (34%), translate documents (33%), and conduct deep research (25%). Entertainment isn’t left behind: 40% of users chat with AI, and 33% use it for interactive communication training. Creative pursuits are also getting a boost, with 31% using AI for image and video editing, 29% for content writing, and 26% for visualizing ideas. Even in health, AI is making inroads—29% turn to it for medical information or to find health products. While daily tasks like planning, shopping, and managing family affairs see lower rates of AI involvement, the trend is unmistakable: AI is moving from experimental tool to everyday companion.
Why is AI catching on so quickly? For many Vietnamese users, the answer is simple: it saves time (67%), supports learning (60%), sparks creativity (51%), and increases accuracy (48%). These practical benefits are driving a shift in how people work, study, and even relax. Despite the dominance of global platforms, loyalty among Vietnamese users is more nuanced. ChatGPT leads in user satisfaction at 51%, with the homegrown AI platform Hay close behind at 47%, outpacing even Gemini (36%) and Meta AI (27%). ChatGPT is often seen as the go-to for translation, research, and professional tasks, while Gemini and DeepSeek are favored as study companions. Copilot is the tool of choice for information searches, and Meta AI is popular for daily conversations.
Vietnam’s rapid AI adoption hasn’t happened in a vacuum. The government has played a pivotal role, rolling out a suite of forward-thinking policies and initiatives. These include Resolution 57/NQ-TW, the National AI Strategy under Decision 127/QD-TTg, and the ambitious “Digital Skills for All” campaign launched in 2025. Together, these efforts are laying the groundwork for AI to become a core part of Vietnamese life, revolutionizing how people learn, work, communicate, and solve problems.
This national momentum isn’t just visible in statistics and policies—it’s also playing out in real-time opportunities for young people. On September 3, 2025, NAVER Vietnam, a subsidiary of South Korea’s tech powerhouse NAVER Corporation, officially kicked off the NAVER Vietnam AI Hackathon 2025. This nationwide competition, designed exclusively for university students, is more than just a contest: it’s a launchpad for the next generation of AI innovators.
The hackathon, with a total prize pool of up to 75 million Vietnamese dong, is open to all university students in Vietnam, regardless of their institution, major, or year of study. The goal is clear: promote creativity, practical problem-solving, and logical thinking in AI and programming, all while helping students build skills that align with global technology trends. NAVER Vietnam, which has a strong reputation for driving AI research and education in Southeast Asia, has a history of close collaboration with leading Vietnamese universities—including Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, and the University of Information Technology at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.
The hackathon unfolds in several stages. First is the Preliminary Round, running from September 8 to September 15, 2025, where individual participants tackle programming and logic problems. The top 200 performers move on to a four-week, expert-led training course from October 1 to October 28. This intensive program, provided free of charge by NAVER Vietnam specialists, focuses on developing AI-related skills and system thinking. During this phase, participants can form teams of four to prepare for the final round.
In the Final Round, from November 10 to November 24, teams have two weeks to develop an AI service prototype using the NAVER Cloud Platform. They’ll then present and defend their projects before a panel of renowned technology experts. This stage tests not just technical chops, but also creativity, teamwork, and the ability to turn ideas into practical solutions. The top five teams will be invited to Ho Chi Minh City for an awards ceremony on December 5, where they’ll get a tour of the NAVER Vietnam Programming Center and a chance to see global tech projects up close.
But the rewards go far beyond cash prizes. Winning teams will be offered internships at NAVER Vietnam, providing hands-on experience with international engineering teams and exposure to advanced technologies. All participants in the training course benefit from direct mentorship by seasoned professionals, and those who take part in the hackathon join NAVER’s global technology community, opening doors to long-term careers in AI and IT.
As Vietnam’s government, universities, and private sector continue to invest in the future of AI, young innovators are finding themselves at the center of a national digital transformation. With Gen Z leading the way and initiatives like the NAVER Vietnam AI Hackathon lighting the path, the country is poised to make AI not just a tool, but a defining feature of modern Vietnamese life.
