DeepSeek’s actual expenditure on developing its AI models is estimated to be around $1.6 billion, a stark contrast to the $5.6 million figure the company has publicly claimed.

The True Cost of DeepSeek’s AI Infrastructure

According to an analysis by SemiAnalysis, a leading semiconductor and AI market research firm, DeepSeek’s hardware investment alone exceeds $500 million. Beyond that, the computational costs of generating synthetic training data are substantial, making the company’s stated training budget of $5.6 million misleading. That figure only accounts for the formal training phase, excluding key expenses such as research, development, data preparation, hardware maintenance, and operational costs.

“Our analysis suggests that the total server capital expenditure could be around $1.6 billion, with a significant $944 million allocated to operational costs for these AI clusters,” SemiAnalysis stated. “In addition to training, DeepSeek needs to test new architectures, collect and clean vast amounts of data, and pay its employees—all of which require significant funding.”

DeepSeek’s GPU Power and High-Flyer’s Involvement

SemiAnalysis further revealed that DeepSeek has likely used around 10,000 Nvidia H800 GPUs—restricted under U.S. export regulations to China—as well as an additional 10,000 H100 GPUs. The company is also believed to have incorporated H20 GPUs into its training process.

“These GPUs are shared between High-Flyer, the investment fund that owns DeepSeek, and the AI company itself. They are geographically distributed and utilized for multiple purposes, including high-frequency trading, inference, training, and AI research,” the report noted.

DeepSeek has been aggressively recruiting AI talent, offering salaries exceeding $1.3 million per year for top candidates—far surpassing compensation offered by major Chinese tech firms and global AI labs like Moonshot. The company has also held recruitment events at top universities across China, emphasizing ‘unlimited access to 10,000 GPUs’ in its hiring pitches.

DeepSeek’s Cost-Optimization Strategy and Industry Reactions

Despite the high estimated costs, SemiAnalysis emphasized that DeepSeek is highly efficient in cost optimization. “DeepSeek R1 is an exceptional model that has reached the cutting edge of AI reasoning at an astonishing speed,” the firm noted.

However, the discrepancy in cost figures has sparked debates. DeepSeek has not publicly addressed these claims, nor has it provided an official estimate beyond the $5.576 million figure, which was attributed to renting AI servers and the formal training process. This number excludes expenses related to model architecture experimentation, algorithm research, and large-scale data processing.

Yann LeCun, Chief AI Scientist at Meta, weighed in on the controversy, stating that many misunderstand AI infrastructure costs. He clarified that while AI development requires significant investments, much of the billions spent by U.S. firms goes toward AI inference rather than training.

“There is a big misunderstanding about AI infrastructure investment,” LeCun wrote on Threads last week. “The majority of the billions spent are for running AI assistants at scale, not just for training. As AI systems expand their capabilities—handling video understanding, reasoning, and massive storage—the cost of inference rises significantly. The market reaction to DeepSeek’s cost claims is therefore misplaced.”

Thomas Sohmers, CEO of AI hardware startup Positron, echoed LeCun’s view. “Inference spending will soon outpace training costs as demand for AI services grows exponentially,” he told Business Insider.

Scale AI CEO’s Bold Claims on DeepSeek’s GPU Stockpile

Meanwhile, Alexandr Wang, CEO of Scale AI, told CNBC that he has inside information suggesting DeepSeek owns 50,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs. Due to U.S. export restrictions, DeepSeek cannot publicly disclose this, he claimed.

Elon Musk, founder of xAI and a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, added: “It’s obvious.”

DeepSeek’s AI Training Strategy: The Role of ‘Distillation’

To reduce training costs, DeepSeek is reportedly using an optimization technique called ‘distillation’. This method involves using a larger AI model’s outputs to train a smaller model, which helps maintain performance while significantly lowering computational costs.

OpenAI recently told the Financial Times (FT) on January 29 that it suspected DeepSeek had leveraged distillation techniques to cut costs.

DeepSeek’s Ownership and Future Direction

Founded in May 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek is based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang and is fully owned by High-Flyer, a major investment fund. Unlike many AI startups that seek external funding, DeepSeek has no plans to raise capital, instead focusing on building its core AI technology and proprietary infrastructure.

While DeepSeek has achieved remarkable cost efficiency in AI model training, its claim of spending just $5.6 million is widely disputed. The actual cost—estimated at $1.6 billion—suggests the company has a far more extensive AI infrastructure than it publicly acknowledges. As the AI race intensifies, DeepSeek’s financial transparency and strategic choices will likely remain under scrutiny.

Related

Vietnam has officially entered the global top 40 for both mobile and fixed broadband speeds, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital infrastructure development.

According to the latest Ookla Speedtest rankings, Vietnam’s average mobile Internet download speed reached 86.96 Mbps in December 2024, the highest ever recorded and a 60% increase from September 2024. This impressive growth propelled Vietnam up seven places from the previous month to 37th globally in mobile network speed.

For the first time, both Vietnam’s mobile and fixed broadband networks have secured positions in the top 40 worldwide. Fixed broadband speeds, which had already entered the rankings in June 2024 with 136 Mbps, have now risen to 159.32 Mbps, placing Vietnam 35th globally in this category.

Data from the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC) shows that mobile Internet speeds currently average 67.85 Mbps, while fixed broadband reaches 130.91 Mbps. Despite these advancements, a considerable gap remains between download and upload speeds, with average upload speeds hovering around 25 Mbps, as measured by both VNNIC and Ookla.

5G Expansion Drives Speed Surge

The rapid improvement in Internet speed coincides with the commercial rollout of 5G services by domestic telecom providers. Over the past three months, 5G coverage has expanded, significantly boosting mobile connectivity.

Leading telecom provider Viettel reported in mid-December that 70% of subscribers in 5G coverage areas—equivalent to 4 million users—have adopted the new-generation network. Meanwhile, VNPT launched its commercial 5G service on December 20, operating on the 3,700–3,800 MHz band. Speed tests conducted by users have recorded 5G download speeds between 1.5 and 1.9 Gbps, more than 10 times faster than 4G networks.

Government Targets Nationwide 5G Coverage by 2025

Vietnam’s Digital Infrastructure Strategy, approved in October 2024, sets ambitious goals for 5G expansion. By 2025, all provinces, cities, high-tech parks, IT hubs, R&D centers, innovation zones, industrial parks, major seaports, and airports are expected to have full 5G coverage. By 2030, 99% of Vietnam’s population will have access to 5G mobile broadband.

Vietnam Outpaces Global Averages

Vietnam’s Internet speeds now exceed global averages. According to Ookla’s latest data, the global average download speed is 62.79 Mbps for mobile networks and 96.45 Mbps for fixed broadband, both of which are lower than Vietnam’s current speeds.

At the top of the global rankings:

• UAE leads in mobile Internet speeds, reaching 453.87 Mbps
• Singapore dominates fixed broadband, boasting 330.98 Mbps.

Vietnam’s rapid ascent in Internet speed rankings reflects the country’s ongoing investment in digital transformation and telecommunications infrastructure, positioning it as a rising player in the global digital economy.

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South Korea is on the brink of exporting its K9 self-propelled howitzers to Vietnam, marking a significant milestone in defense cooperation between the two countries.

According to industry insiders, negotiations between the Korean government and Vietnam have advanced to the final stages, with both sides agreeing in principle to the export of 20 K9 units valued at $300 million. The deal is expected to be finalized as a government-to-government (G2G) transaction, possibly as early as this quarter.

“Both parties have largely aligned on the terms of the agreement,” a source revealed, indicating that Vietnam’s defense requirements are well-matched with Korea’s offer.

The deployment of the K9 howitzers is anticipated near Vietnam’s northern border with China, approximately 100 kilometers from Hanoi. This region holds strategic importance due to historical and ongoing tensions between Vietnam and China, including a border conflict in 1979 and disputes in the South China Sea.

If completed, this transaction would mark the first export of South Korean defense equipment to a communist country, signifying an expansion of Korea’s influence in the region amidst the intensifying strategic rivalry between the United States and China.

Vietnam’s move to diversify its defense partnerships away from its traditional supplier, Russia, is particularly noteworthy. International sanctions on Russia following its conflict in Ukraine have curtailed its ability to export weapons, prompting Vietnam to explore alternative suppliers. Korea’s K9 howitzer caught Vietnam’s attention after India, facing similar border tensions with China, successfully deployed the system in its mountainous Kashmir region—terrain akin to Vietnam’s border areas.

Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang further solidified interest during a visit to South Korea in February 2023, where he inspected a K9 unit and received a detailed briefing from Hanwha Aerospace Co., the system’s manufacturer.

Should the agreement be finalized, Vietnam would become the 11th country to adopt the K9 howitzer, underscoring the platform’s growing reputation as a versatile and reliable defense asset.

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TikTok disconnected U.S. user access late Saturday, just hours before a nationwide ban on the app took effect.

The move follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations to non-Chinese buyers in the name of national security.

Shutdown Notice to Users

A message displayed to TikTok users attempting to access the app stated:

“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”

The message added that President-elect Donald Trump plans to work toward a solution to reinstate the app after his inauguration on Monday.

“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated he will work with us on a solution. Please stay tuned!”

Legal Stalemate and Trump’s Possible Intervention

Outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration has deferred the issue to Trump. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, expressed gratitude to Trump, saying he appreciates the President-elect’s “commitment to work with us to find a solution.” Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Speaking to NBC News, Trump hinted at a potential 90-day reprieve:

“The 90-day extension is something we’ll most likely activate because it’s appropriate.” He indicated he may announce his decision on Monday.

The law permits a delay if significant progress toward a sale is shown. However, ByteDance has firmly rejected the idea of selling the app. In the meantime, Apple and Google are required to remove TikTok from their app stores, and Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s servers, is legally obligated to enforce the ban.

Industry and User Reactions

The ban leaves TikTok’s U.S.-based rivals, including Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, in a position to benefit. Meanwhile, thousands of TikTok users have migrated to Xiaohongshu (“Little Red Book”), a Chinese platform similar to Instagram. Dubbed “Red Note” by U.S. users, the app became the most downloaded on Apple’s U.S. App Store this week.

Offers and Alternative Solutions

Despite the ban, efforts to find a workaround continue. On Saturday, Perplexity AI, a promising U.S. start-up backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, proposed a merger with TikTok’s U.S. subsidiary. The deal, reportedly worth at least $50 billion, could allow ByteDance to retain partial ownership.

Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations, supported by Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary. However, legal experts warn that even a Trump executive order lifting the ban could face challenges.

“Congress wrote this law to be virtually president-proof,” cautioned Adam Kovacevich, CEO of the industry trade group Chamber of Progress.

Future Uncertainty

With TikTok’s future in the U.S. uncertain, questions remain about the broader implications for global tech companies and cross-border data security. While Trump’s presidency may bring temporary relief, experts warn that lasting resolution will require complex negotiations and legal clarity.

For now, millions of American users await Trump’s next move, hoping for a solution that allows TikTok to return to their screens.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, head of the Steering Committee for Nuclear Power Plant Construction, presided over its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, announcing Vietnam’s goal to have a fully operational nuclear power plant by 2030.

The establishment of the steering committee followed the issuance of Decision No. 72 by the prime minister on January 10. Its primary responsibility is to oversee the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project in the south-central region, monitor progress, address challenges, and recommend solutions to ensure successful implementation.

The committee’s scope includes revising legal frameworks for nuclear energy, prioritizing safety, security, and efficiency, while formulating a national nuclear energy development program. It is also tasked with fostering international collaboration, including partnerships with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

During the meeting, PM Chinh emphasized the urgency of starting construction and called for a measured, step-by-step approach to ensure progress without undue caution or haste. He reiterated the government’s clear policy on nuclear energy development as a pivotal solution for meeting Vietnam’s growing clean energy needs.

“Nuclear power is a vital component in achieving sustainable energy security,” PM Chinh stated. “To support double-digit GDP growth, electricity growth must reach 15-18 percent annually.” He further highlighted the importance of nuclear technology for peaceful applications, including power generation and nuclear medicine, in Vietnam’s development.

The prime minister outlined a five-year roadmap for completing the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant, aligning its operational debut with the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 2030. Annual plans are to be meticulously developed to meet this target.

PM Chinh directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to finalize essential plans by February 28. He also called for Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the project’s investor, to consolidate its pool of 400 nuclear specialists, identify training needs, and establish a dedicated organization to manage the project and future initiatives.

The prime minister urged the development of a comprehensive institutional framework, including policies on taxation, credit, land use, and talent recruitment. Concurrently, Ninh Thuan authorities were instructed to enhance infrastructure, such as transportation, utilities, and cultural facilities, and attract public-private partnerships to develop Thanh Son Airport for civilian use.

Collaboration with the IAEA will focus on technical and regulatory support, while the provincial government was tasked with land clearance and resettlement policies for affected residents.

The National Assembly recently approved the resumption of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project after an eight-year hiatus, deeming it critical for energy security and Vietnam’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. A resolution passed on November 30, 2024, mandates the government to allocate resources and review legal frameworks, including the Atomic Energy Law, to facilitate the project’s progress.

Initially approved in 2009, the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project planned for two plants, Ninh Thuan 1 and 2, with a combined capacity of over 4,000 MW and an estimated investment of VND200 trillion (US$7.9 billion). The project, however, was suspended in 2016 due to safety, cost, and technology concerns.

EVN, in collaboration with Russian and Japanese partners, had spearheaded the initial phase. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed that EVN remain the investor and appoint consultants to update the project’s pre-feasibility study while developing special mechanisms to ensure success.

The Ninh Thuan project marks a significant step in Vietnam’s efforts to secure energy independence, drive economic growth, and contribute to global sustainability goals.

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Tại triển lãm công nghệ thường niên CES 2025 tổ chức tại Las Vegas, Tập đoàn HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) đã ra mắt danh mục sản phẩm mới, với nhiều cải tiến đột phá nhằm thay đổi mạnh mẽ Xu hướng Làm việc và Giải trí trong Tương lai. Những giải pháp tích hợp trí tuệ nhân tạo (AI) mới mang đến hiệu suất, năng suất và khả năng cá nhân hóa vượt trội cho các chuyên gia, game thủ và nhà sáng tạo nội dung.

Trải nghiệm được hỗ trợ bởi AI giúp nâng cao năng suất và định hình Xu hướng Làm việc trong Tương lai

Trong bối cảnh việc làm ngày càng phát triển, kỳ vọng về công nghệ cũng ngày càng tăng cao. Chính vì vậy, HP đã thiết kế tỉ mỉ dòng máy tính thương mại thế hệ tiếp theo, tích hợp trí tuệ nhân tạo nhằm cung cấp những công cụ phù hợp với trải nghiệm làm việc riêng biệt của các chuyên gia. 

• Những nhà lãnh đạo hiện đại sẽ ấn tượng mạnh mẽ với dòng máy tính HP EliteBook Ultra G1i mới– Laptop AI doanh nghiệp toàn diện, giúp họ khai phá tiềm năng tối đa trong công việc.
• Mở khóa năng lực quản lý đồng thời các tác vụ đòi hỏi hiệu năng cao với HP ZBook Ultra G1a 14 – máy trạm di động 14 inch và HP Z2 Mini G1a – máy trạm mini mạnh mẽ nhất thế giới.
• Hỗ trợ Freelancer và nhà sáng tạo tăng cường năng suất, sự sáng tạo và khả năng đa nhiệm với máy tính HP OmniStudio X và HP OmniDesk, được tích hợp công nghệ AI và trang bị bộ vi xử lý Intel® Core Ultra.

HP EliteBook Ultra G1i

Công nghệ OMEN AI của HP nâng tầm trải nghiệm chơi game với khả năng tối ưu hóa hiệu suất chỉ với một cú nhấp chuột.

Khi nói đến công nghệ chơi game mạnh mẽ và khả năng cá nhân hóa, game thủ luôn đặt ra tiêu chuẩn cao nhất. Ba phần tư số game thủ luôn trang bị các thiết bị mới để sở hữu hiệu suất và tính năng vượt trội, và hơn một nửa trong số đó mong muốn thể hiện cá tính riêng thông qua các tùy chỉnh cá nhân hóa. Chiếc Laptop OMEN Max 16, kết hợp sức mạnh của công nghệ OMEN AI, mang đến trải nghiệm chơi game liền mạch nhờ khả năng tự động và liên tục tối ưu hiệu suất cùng khả năng tản nhiệt vượt trội.

• OMEN AI giới thiệu công cụ tối ưu hóa hiệu suất đầu tiên trên thế giới được tích hợp AI và sử dụng chỉ với một cú nhấp chuột.
• OMEN MAX 16, laptop gaming mạnh mẽ nhất của HP. 
• OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor, màn hình gaming đầu tiên của HP tích hợp Google TV.
• Dòng chuột máy tính HyperX Pulsefire Saga với thiết kế dạng mô-đun sáng tạo và các tùy chọn tùy chỉnh linh hoạt.

OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor

Định hình Xu hướng Giải trí trong Tương lai

“Hiện nay, game thủ không chỉ là những người chơi; họ còn là những nhà sáng tạo và lãnh đạo tương lai. Nhận ra tiềm năng lớn trong cộng đồng game thủ, tôi cam kết sẽ nâng đỡ hành trình của các bạn cả trong và ngoài quá trình chơi game. Qua thông báo mới nhất của HP về chủ đề thay đổi Xu hướng Làm việc và Giải trí trong Tương lai, chúng tôi đã chia sẻ những cập nhật thú vị trên nhiều phương diện, đặc biệt là đột phá trong lĩnh vực game. Tôi vô cùng hào hứng khi có thể giới thiệu thêm nhiều công cụ được thiết kế để nâng cao trải nghiệm chơi game của người dùng. Đây không chỉ là những sáng kiến mới, mà còn là nỗ lực của chúng tôi trong quá trình định hình Xu hướng Giải trí trong Tương lai”, bà Josephine Tan, Phó Chủ Tịch Cấp Cao & Giám Đốc Hệ thống cá nhân dành cho Game thủ chia sẻ.

• HP ra mắt OMEN 16 Laptop và OMEN 16L Desktop, cùng với các màn hình OMEN mới có tần số quét lên tới 280Hz giúp nâng cao trải nghiệm chơi game. 
• Trải nghiệm sức mạnh và hiệu suất của laptop, máy tính để bàn cùng màn hình và chuột HyperX chất lượng cao.

OMEN MAX 16 Gaming Laptop

OMEN MAX 16 Gaming Laptop

Khai Phá Tiềm Năng Vô Hạn Với Dòng Máy Tính Để Bàn AI Thế Hệ Tiếp Theo Của HP

Bên cạnh danh mục sản phẩm mới nhất cho những cải tiến dành cho công việc và giải trí, HP trang bị cho freelancer và nhà sáng tạo những công cụ mới để tăng cường hiệu suất với dòng máy tính để bàn tích hợp AI.

• Máy tính để bàn HP OmniStudio X All-in-One thế hệ mới tích hợp AI, với bộ vi xử lý Intel® Core Ultra mới nhất, được thiết kế dành cho những freelancer mong muốn không gian làm việc tập trung, giúp tối ưu hóa năng suất và khả năng sáng tạo.
• Dòng máy tính để bàn HP OmniDesk Slim và HP OmniDesk mới nhất mang lại hiệu suất thông minh và hiệu quả với thiết kế sang trọng, tối giản và bền vững.

*Các sản phẩm dự kiến sẽ ra mắt trong năm 2025.

Related

A Deal Concealing Deceit

The story begins in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses are shutting down, and uncertainty grips the globe. Amid this turmoil, Adam Young approached Michael O’Hare, founder of TCPA Litigator List, with an interest in acquiring his company. The promise of synergy seemed like a beacon of hope for O’Hare, whose startup was beginning to gain traction despite the challenging economic climate.

However, this interest was far from genuine. Just days before negotiations, Young created an account on O’Hare’s website under the guise of a different company, gaining access to the TCPA Litigator List’s proprietary database. Shortly after offering a paltry bid of $70k, which O’Hare rejected, Ringba launched its own competing service, TCPA Shield, allegedly built using O’Hare’s trade secrets. Despite a court-ordered comparison revealing a 95% plus overlap between the databases, a discovery sanction allowed Ringba to evade a formal judgment.

This calculated strategy exposed Young and his partner Harrison Gevirtz’s pattern: targeting smaller companies, extracting their intellectual property under the pretense of partnerships, and leveraging it to launch competing products. For O’Hare, what started as a hopeful business negotiation became a devastating breach of trust and a grueling legal battle.

Allegations of Wire Fraud

In a separate development, federal court documents unveil even graver allegations. The FBI is investigating Ringba for its alleged role in enabling wire fraud schemes. According to United States v. Hitchcock, Ringba’s platform was used to facilitate fraudulent tech support scams. Fraudsters exploited Ringba’s services to route calls from victims – misled by false virus alerts – to fraudulent call centers. The platform allegedly helped conceal these operations by frequently rotating phone numbers and misrepresenting compliance efforts.

The indictment details how Ringba’s systems were instrumental in perpetuating fraud, like shielding bad actors from detection, thus enabling the exploitation of countless victims. And these revelations logically raise serious concerns about the company’s ethical standards and its role in supporting illegal activities under the guise of legitimate business.

Litigation as Shield and Sword

Adding to the controversy is Ringba’s apparent strategy of weaponizing litigation to deter criminal investigations. In Ringba LLC vs. Sean Hitchcock, the company’s lawsuit against a cooperating FBI witness has been described as an attempt to gather information about and undermine the federal probe. Similarly, Ringba’s legal actions against its ex-CTO, another FBI witness, reveal a disturbing trend of using civil cases to retaliate against whistleblowers.

Such tactics reflect a broader pattern in Ringba’s operations. Instead of addressing the allegations, the company appears focused on suppressing dissent and deflecting accountability. For industry observers, this behavior underlines the urgent need for greater scrutiny of Ringba’s business practices.

Wider Impact

The consequences of these claims reach beyond Ringba’s immediate stakeholders. As a popular call-tracking provider, the company’s software is an essential component of the performance marketing ecosystem. The possibility for fraudsters to abuse this technology emphasizes the risks associated with centralized platforms that prioritize profit over ethics.

The discoveries have generated debate about tech corporations’ accountability for preventing the exploitation of their services. Ringba’s situation is a harsh reminder of the harm that may emerge from unrestrained power and a lack of transparency in the tech industry.

A Call for Accountability

Ringba’s growth and subsequent fall expose a distressing story of deception, fraud, and trust abuse. From the alleged theft of the TCPA Litigator List’s database to enabling large-scale wire fraud, the company’s actions have caused widespread harm in the sector. Ringba’s future is now in jeopardy, with the FBI investigating it and other lawsuits pending.

As the investigation continues, one thing becomes clear: the need for ethical norms and regulatory supervision in technology has never been more pressing. Ringba’s narrative serves as a sobering reminder that, once broken, trust cannot be easily rebuilt.

Vietnam’s internet connectivity to global networks remains unstable as two key undersea cable systems, the Asia Pacific Gateway (APG) and the Intra Asia (IA), are still experiencing malfunctions.

According to the Vietnam News Agency, while the Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1) submarine cable has been fully repaired, the APG and IA cables continue to face technical issues.

The APG cable is suffering from faults on two branches: S1.9, connecting Vietnam to Malaysia, and S8, linking to Thailand. Repairs on the S8 branch are scheduled between January 6 and 10, but no timeline has been provided for the S1.9 branch.

Meanwhile, the IA cable encountered a problem on December 26 on its S1 branch, which connects Vietnam to Singapore. This disruption has severed links between Vietnam and key hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore. International partners have not yet provided a repair timeline for the IA cable.

These disruptions have significantly reduced Vietnam’s international internet bandwidth, causing widespread inconvenience for businesses and individuals.

To address these recurring challenges, Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has outlined an ambitious strategy for international cable development. By 2030, the country plans to add at least 10 new undersea cables, increasing the total to 15. Additionally, under the national digital infrastructure strategy approved in October 2024, Vietnam aims to launch at least two new submarine cables by 2025 and eight more by 2030.

These initiatives are designed to strengthen Vietnam’s telecommunications infrastructure, ensure consistent connectivity, and boost international bandwidth capacity.

Related

Tech giant Google has officially announced plans to establish a local office in Vietnam, marking a significant step in its commitment to supporting the nation’s digital transformation and providing enhanced services to advertisers.

According to a statement from Google, the transition will take effect on April 1, 2025, when the contractual rights and responsibilities of advertising partners in Vietnam will shift from Google Asia Pacific to Google Vietnam Co., Ltd. The newly established company will be headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City and will assume direct management of operations in the country.

Key Changes for Advertising Partners

Starting March 1, 2025, Google Vietnam will take over as the official partner for customers using Google’s advertising products in Vietnam, replacing Google Singapore. This move also includes a significant shift in billing practices:

• Invoicing and payment activities will now be conducted within Vietnam.
• Payments for services will be processed in Vietnamese dong (VND) and will include a 10% value-added tax (VAT) in compliance with local regulations.

Opportunities in Vietnam’s Job Market

Google has already begun hiring for its Vietnam operations. The company’s career page showcases a range of job openings based in Ho Chi Minh City, signaling its efforts to build a strong local team. (For more information, visit Google Careers in Vietnam).

Strategic Importance

This move reflects Google’s recognition of Vietnam’s dynamic digital economy, one of the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. By establishing a local presence, Google aims to support Vietnamese businesses more effectively, foster innovation, and strengthen its role in the country’s digital ecosystem.

Stay tuned as Vietnam Insider continues to follow this groundbreaking development in Vietnam’s tech landscape.

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During the 2024 Hanoi Food and Culture Festival, held from November 28 to December 1, visitors were introduced to a groundbreaking experience with “Pho So Ha Thanh,” where a smart robot assisted in cooking and serving Vietnam’s iconic pho. This intelligent robot not only participated in the cooking process but also delivered bowls of pho directly to diners, sparking curiosity and excitement among both locals and tourists eager to try a traditional dish prepared by cutting-edge technology.

Earlier in September 2024, at the HorecFex Vietnam technology and innovation forum for the hospitality sector, a $15,000 tourism robot imported from Hong Kong was showcased at the Ariyana International Convention Center in Da Nang. This robot, equipped to interact with and guide visitors, highlighted the growing role of AI in enhancing guest experiences.

In October 2024, a waiter robot debuted at Premier Pearl Hotel in Vung Tau, drawing attention for its ability to serve food, clear tables, and offer refreshments to guests in the lobby.

AI Applications Beyond Robotics

Robots are only one aspect of AI’s application in Vietnam’s tourism industry. In recent years, businesses and local authorities have increasingly embraced digital transformation and AI to stay ahead of trends and enhance service delivery.

Among the most popular AI tools is the chatbot, which interacts with customers across platforms like Messenger, Zalo, WhatsApp, and official websites. These bots provide instant support, answering frequently asked questions about flights, accommodations, services, and prices. Leveraging AI, chatbots analyze customer behavior to offer personalized recommendations for destinations, tours, and travel itineraries, while also communicating in multiple languages to cater to international visitors.

AI is also pivotal in processing and analyzing customer data. Advanced algorithms filter and identify travel preferences and habits, enabling businesses to anticipate trends and adapt strategies to meet customer needs. This technology helps optimize pricing strategies, ensuring competitive rates that attract customers while maximizing profits.

Moreover, AI supports tourism enterprises in managing distribution channels. Platforms like Traveloka and Agoda utilize AI to dynamically adjust prices, streamline inventory management, and enhance revenue strategies. Automated systems monitor global distribution networks, update prices, and refine distribution plans to maximize profitability.

A Promising Future

AI’s applications extend beyond pricing and logistics. The technology is also being used to create and optimize content, such as images, videos, and service descriptions, to attract target audiences. This capability improves marketing efforts and enhances customer engagement across various platforms.

Looking ahead, AI is expected to play an increasingly vital role in Vietnam’s tourism industry. From personalizing travel experiences and minimizing security risks to optimizing passenger distribution and crafting detailed itineraries, AI holds immense potential to transform the sector.

AI also empowers businesses to refine promotional materials, websites, and marketing content, enabling them to effectively reach diverse customer demographics both domestically and internationally.

As AI becomes more prevalent in Vietnam’s tourism sector, it opens up exciting opportunities for innovation and growth. This technological advancement promises to drive Vietnam’s tourism industry toward a more sustainable, efficient, and customer-centric future.

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