KT Corporation and Viettel Group have elevated their collaboration by launching “Strategic Partnership 2.0” to drive Vietnam’s national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and expand AI transformation (AX) across industries. The agreement, announced on the 12th, has grown ties between the South Korean telecom giant and Vietnam’s largest state-owned ICT firm, coming just ahead of the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, where nearly 500 business leaders are set to gather.
This new phase builds on an earlier agreement signed in May, moving the partnership from initial discussions into concrete joint projects. Executives from both companies have held multiple exchanges in South Korea and Vietnam to map out a detailed roadmap for collaboration.
During the signing ceremony at KT’s Gwanghwamun headquarters in Seoul, KT CEO Kim Young-shub and Viettel Chairman and CEO Tao Duc Thang unveiled the roadmap for Strategic Partnership 2.0. The collaboration will focus on several key areas, including the joint creation of a Vietnamese AI language model, the development of specialized AI Transformation (AX) platforms for industries such as healthcare and defense, the establishment of a Global AX Innovation Center to cultivate local talent, and the expansion of a wider AX ecosystem through international partnerships.
One of the centerpiece projects will be the joint development of a general-purpose AI language model trained specifically on the Vietnamese language, culture, and administrative systems. This model is expected to play a critical role in public services, education, and government administration, laying the foundation for Vietnam’s digital sovereignty and strengthening its national AI capabilities.
Alongside the language model, KT and Viettel plan to design vertical AX platforms tailored for industries such as healthcare, defense, and media. These platforms aim to enhance efficiency and productivity by providing AI solutions customized to Vietnam’s economic and social needs. By focusing on localized applications, the two companies hope to accelerate digital transformation across core sectors.
The agreement also highlights the ambition to expand the AX ecosystem across Southeast Asia. Viettel will leverage KT’s extensive global partnerships, enabling collaboration with international technology leaders. This cooperation is expected not only to strengthen Vietnam’s AI initiatives but also to enable KT to expand its presence in regional markets, thereby reinforcing its position as a global leader in AI and AX.
To cultivate long-term talent and expertise, the two firms will establish the Global AX Innovation Center (G-AXC). The center will serve as a hub for research and development of AI models, while also offering specialized training programs for Vietnamese citizens. A certification system will be introduced to assess AI skills, ensuring that local talent is well-prepared to support the country’s AI-driven growth.
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, the partnership will also prioritize AI-based security solutions. KT and Viettel will conduct joint research to counter voice phishing, deepfake crimes, and other digital risks. By sharing datasets and best practices, the companies aim to build a more secure digital ecosystem capable of protecting both individuals and businesses.
Speaking at the forum, KT CEO Kim Young-shub emphasized that the collaboration goes beyond deploying technology, describing it as a step toward securing Vietnam’s long-term growth engines. Viettel Chairman Tao Duc Thang added that combining the strengths of both companies would accelerate Vietnam’s digital transformation. Together, the two firms presented their partnership as a model for global AI cooperation, demonstrating how cross-border collaboration can advance national strategies while fostering innovation, security, and talent development.
Image credits: KT
