With over $100 billion in capital inflow from the Blockchain market into Vietnam in 2023 and 75% of businesses facing a shortage of senior AI talent, the younger workforce stands before a tremendous opportunity to seize this highly promising career trend.
On November 30, 2024, the Academy of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence Innovation (ABAII), in collaboration with the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA), organized the 17th event in the ABAII Unitour series, alongside the University of Economics and Finance in Ho Chi Minh City (UEF), under the theme “Reshaping the Job Market with Blockchain and AI.” The event attracted over 400 students, lecturers, experts, and businesses from the technology, finance, and education sectors, creating an open discussion forum about Blockchain and AI’s potential in reshaping the labor market.
In his opening speech at the seminar, Dr. Nhan Cẩm Trí, Vice-Rector of the University of Economics and Finance Ho Chi Minh City (UEF) emphasized the importance of equipping students with advanced technological knowledge and skills, such as Blockchain and AI, in the context of the global digital transformation. Particularly, alongside formal and extracurricular programs at the university, Dr. Trí highlighted the importance of self-learning, encouraging students to take the initiative in studying and researching these technologies to master them.
Mr. Trần Huyền Dinh, Chairman of the Fintech Application Committee of the Vietnam Blockchain Association, shared his perspective that Blockchain and AI are not merely trend technologies but have become essential factors for the younger generation to develop and adapt to the digital economy. Mastering Blockchain and AI will provide significant advantages for the young workforce, especially as the labor market is facing a shortage of high-quality talent in these fields.
To realize new career opportunities for UEF students, at the beginning of the program, the ABAII Academy and its strategic partners—AlphaTrue Joint Stock Company, K300 Ventures Blockchain Startup Fund, HoldStation Co., Ltd., and Haminh Initiatives Co., Ltd.—signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UEF. This collaboration marks a strong partnership to enhance training and provide in-depth programs on Blockchain and AI, while simultaneously creating numerous practical career opportunities for students.
At the event, Mr. Lê Anh Quốc, Chief Operating Officer of AlphaTrue JSC, shared impressive figures on the development of the cryptocurrency market in Vietnam. Specifically, according to a report by Chainalysis, Vietnam currently ranks 5th globally in terms of cryptocurrency adoption, with over $105 billion in blockchain market investments flowing into the country in 2023-2024. More than 85% of freelancers in Vietnam own cryptocurrency, with 34% already accepting payments in this form. This is a clear indication of the significant shift towards the application of modern financial technologies in Vietnam.
In particular, with the government’s increasing attention to the blockchain industry following the announcement of the National Blockchain Strategy by the Prime Minister on October 22, 2024, this market is expected to grow rapidly and explode like never before.
For the AI industry, Mr. Đào Trung Thành, Vice Director of the ABAII Institute, pointed out that the shortage of AI talent is a pressing issue in many sectors, particularly in banking. According to the latest report from Statista, 75% of companies prioritizing the hiring of AI specialists are facing difficulties due to a lack of skilled workforce. Among them, 32% of financial institutions view the shortage of AI talent as a major barrier to achieving their strategic goals.
These figures highlight the enormous demand for high-quality talent in the Blockchain and AI sectors, signaling a vast range of career opportunities for students. To seize these opportunities, students and young people must take initiative in their studies, enhancing their skills and competencies to stay ahead of emerging career trends.
Especially, since Blockchain and AI have not yet been included in the official curricula of secondary and university schools, it is crucial for students to engage in self-study and explore information through online learning platforms. Notably, MasterTeck, the first open online course platform (MOOC) developed under the National Blockchain Strategy, offers more than 300 in-depth courses on Blockchain and AI, targeting high-demand professions such as AI engineers, Blockchain developers, and other tech-related fields.
Developed by the ABAII Institute in collaboration with global partners like CompTIA, EC-Council, and PECB, MasterTeck not only provides technology-related courses but also offers training programs in Risk Management, Cybersecurity, Ethical Hacking, and more, equipping learners with essential knowledge and skills for the digital labor market.
As part of the ABAII Unitour, representatives from UEF and industry experts also engaged in an open discussion, answering many challenging questions and addressing the real concerns of the students. The event featured Master Dương Thị Viên An (Head of the Financial Technology Department at UEF), Mr. Hiếu Đỗ (Business Director at HoldStation), Ms. Lê Vũ Hương Quỳnh (Vietnam Development Director at Tether), and MSc. Phạm Mạnh Cường (CEO of Wischain, Lecturer at the University of Danang – University of Science and Technology).
According to Ms. Lê Vũ Hương Quỳnh, the integration of Blockchain, AI, and other financial technologies will bring about a comprehensive transformation in the global financial industry, driving unprecedented growth. Therefore, Ms. Quỳnh encouraged students, especially those from UEF’s Financial Technology program, who are seeking career opportunities in this field, to seize the opportunity and build a solid career in the digital era.
ABAII Unitour is an initiative by the Academy of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence Innovation (ABAII), a member of the Vietnam Blockchain Association, aimed at bringing Blockchain and AI knowledge to students nationwide. As of November 2024, ABAII Unitour has successfully organized 17 events at prestigious universities across the country, including the Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, the University of Economics and Business Administration, the University of Law in Ho Chi Minh City, and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, among others. By 2025, the program is expected to host 30 events, reaching at least 100,000 students and creating new career opportunities for the country’s young workforce in the digital age.