Vietnam ranks 6th out of 40 countries in the 2025 Global AI Index, surpassing several advanced economies and highlighting how the Vietnamese are not only open to emerging technologies but also ready to take a leading role in the AI era.

The ranking, released on July 16 by WIN (Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research), is based on a survey of over 33,000 people across 40 countries on five continents.

Scores were calculated using seven component indicators: AI usage, AI trust, AI acceptance, AI efficiency, AI usability, AI comfort, and AI interest.

In Vietnam, the survey was conducted by Indochina Research between December 2024 and January 2025 with 900 participants across four major cities.

With 59.2 points out of 100, Vietnam ranks 6th globally, ahead of developed countries like South Korea, Australia, and Japan. Notably, Vietnam ranks 3rd in AI trust (65.6 points) and 5th in AI acceptance (71.6 points).

Despite high trust and interest levels, actual AI usage in Vietnam remains relatively low at 37.6 points, placing the country 17th out of 40 - its lowest score among the four usage-related indicators.

The data shows about 60% of Vietnamese respondents have used AI at least once, but only 3% use it daily.

There are also significant disparities by location and age: nearly 90% of people aged 18–24 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have used AI, compared to much lower rates in Da Nang and Can Tho, especially among those aged 55 and older.

According to Xavier Depouilly, General Director of Indochina Research Vietnam, these results reflect that a large portion of Vietnam’s urban population - especially its youth - are actively embracing new technologies.

“Young Vietnamese are ready to adopt technology, and this plays a major role in the country’s rapid economic growth and digital transformation,” he said.

The Indochina Research report also reveals concerns among Vietnamese users about AI. Similar to other Asia-Pacific countries, the top concern is data privacy, specifically how AI collects and uses personal information (52%).

Approximately 48% of respondents fear AI could replace them in their jobs. Only 36% expressed concerns about misinformation (deepfakes, opinion manipulation).

Indochina Research believes that with high levels of trust and positive attitudes, Vietnam has many advantages to break through in the global AI race.

However, to fully leverage this potential, AI accessibility must be extended to older populations and non-urban areas.

At the same time, Vietnam must build a trustworthy, safe, and user-friendly AI ecosystem. This development requires not just technological advances but also support from policy, education, and media sectors - to bridge the digital divide and make AI more widely accessible.

According to Indochina Research, a significant portion of the population remains untouched by AI, making it essential to promote experimentation, usage, and adoption on a broader scale.

Vietnam must also ensure that its AI development is inclusive and comprehensive in order to maintain its current advantage and move further on the global stage.

Du Lam