KT Corp Partners with Viettel for AI Deal in Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam - KT Corp announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Vietnam's state-owned Viettel Group to collaborate on artificial intelligence services, with the business cooperation valued at KRW 130 billion.

The agreement was signed at Viettel's headquarters in Hanoi, with KT Chief Executive Kim Young-seop and Viettel Chairman and Chief Executive Tao Duc Thang in attendance, KT stated on Tuesday.

Kim met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung and Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy before the signing to discuss Vietnam's AI development, according to the statement.

Viettel operates telecommunications services in 11 countries across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, serving a total of 138 million customers.

The group recorded revenue of $7.34 billion in 2024 and has been shifting focus toward AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity technologies.

The partnership covers six areas, including AI consulting, business development, consumer and small business solutions, data center and cloud infrastructure, development centers, and joint market activities, KT said.

KT will provide consulting services for Viettel's AI transformation and jointly develop implementation strategies.

The South Korean company will utilize its AI technologies to develop national AI models, Vietnam-specific AI agents, and anti-fraud solutions for Viettel.

The companies plan to build AI data centers and GPU facilities in Vietnam. They will establish a development center in Hanoi and expand KT's AI education platform, AICE, throughout Vietnam.

"Viettel Group and KT have begun a strategic partnership through close cooperation," Tao said. "Based on KT's advanced technology and Viettel's deep understanding of local markets, we will provide modern solutions to Vietnam and international markets where Viettel operates."

Kim said the partnership would support Viettel's AI transformation through consulting and training while promoting innovation in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

"KT will accelerate the growth of AI transformation business in domestic and global markets as an AI innovation partner," he said.

The companies stated that they expect the agreement to advance Korea-Vietnam technology cooperation and plan to pursue joint ventures to promote AI transformation throughout Southeast Asia.