SK is pushing an "AI full-stack provider" strategy in Vietnam, combining its capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, power and energy solutions.
SK Innovation and SK Telecom announced Monday that they signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Nghe An provincial government and Vietnam's National Innovation Center (NIC) on Sunday at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum held in Hanoi, aimed at building an AI ecosystem.
SK Innovation and SK Telecom will jointly explore AI data center construction and related infrastructure projects with the Nghe An provincial government. Nghe An, a key hub in north-central Vietnam, is actively developing manufacturing, energy and advanced industries based on its port and logistics infrastructure.
SK Innovation will broadly explore cooperation opportunities, including power supply for data centers and the construction of dedicated generation sources, in connection with the Quynh Lap liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant project, for which it was recently selected as an operator. Based on this, SK Telecom plans to review plans for developing, building and operating AI data centers, and seek ways to secure global demand.
The Nghe An provincial government agreed to discuss support measures, including licensing, administrative procedures, coordination with relevant ministries and provision of incentives, to help implement the partnership plan.
At the forum, the Nghe An provincial government presented the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) for the Quynh Lap power project to the SK Innovation consortium, reaffirming its commitment to the project. SK Innovation CEO Chu Hyeong-wook said, "We will complete the construction of local power infrastructure without setbacks, drawing on SK's capabilities accumulated through operating large-scale power generation and various energy solutions businesses."
SK Telecom and SK Innovation will also jointly pursue comprehensive cooperation with NIC to build Vietnam's AI ecosystem. The two sides agreed to cooperate in areas including AI data center construction, energy infrastructure development, and the establishment of policy and institutional frameworks to foster the AI industry.
SK Telecom will provide technical cooperation and support in attracting investment to develop Vietnam's AI ecosystem, including AI data centers, while SK Innovation will supply energy solutions needed for AI data centers and related industries. NIC will provide institutional support — including coordination with government ministries, regulatory improvements and policy formulation — and identify and connect local partners to ensure smooth execution of the project.
At the recent Korea-Vietnam summit, the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in future growth areas such as AI, semiconductors and energy. SK's cooperation represents a concrete private-sector example of this bilateral cooperation drive.
Through this partnership, SK will support Vietnam's future growth strategy as a key partner in the country's national AI strategy. Based on AI data center construction and stable power supply, the cooperation is also expected to lay the foundation for the first overseas expansion of a "Korean-style AI full-stack" model, linking AI model development and validation with the expansion of industry-specific AI services.
SK Group Chairman and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won said at a business roundtable held ahead of the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, "AI will play a key role in Vietnam's sustainable growth," adding, "We will make tangible contributions to the development of Vietnam's AI industry based on our portfolio capabilities spanning the entire AI ecosystem, from energy and semiconductors to AI models and application services."
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Vietnamese Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan. Attending from SK were Chairman Chey, CEO Chu and SK Telecom CEO Jung Jae-heon, while the Vietnamese side included Nghe An Party Secretary Nguyen Khac Than, Nghe An People's Committee Chairman Vo Trong Hai and NIC Director Vu Quoc Huy.