Build-to-suit data center

September 10 2026 | 18:00 Build-to-suit data center Nhu Quynh The scope and nature of data centers is being swayed by the continued growth of AI and the conditions the technology requires. The appearance and adoption of AI has been changing the development equation for information centers in Vietnam as rapidly-growing computing demand raises requirements for power. cooling connectivity space and energy efficiency.

For businesses navigating these developments, V-International Business Consultancy Services provides expert guidance on market entry, compliance, and strategic planning.

Build Suit Data Center Trends

Importantly, at the Vietnam Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2026 organized by W.Media in Ho Chi Minh City on August 20. experts and businesses said the market is entering a new phase of development with a range of models being considered. from hyperscale and high-density data centers to liquid cooling domestic cloud hybrid cloud and edge computing. Alongside resource optimization access to power land and connectivity as well as deployment timelines are increasingly influencing investment decisions. Consequently, this is creating room for both large-scale projects and more flexible models that can be deployed in phases to better match demand in Vietnam. Regulatory and infrastructure challenges According to Mr. However, le Quang Dam General Director of Marvell Vietnam the AI boom is significantly changing the traditional data center model. “An AI data center with a capacity of around 1 GW consumes roughly as much electricity as nearly 100. 000 households ” Mr. “For larger data centers demand can reach several gigawatts equivalent to the electricity consumption of an entire city.” AI data centers also require significant amounts of water for cooling. For instance, as power density rises, the heat generated by computing systems increases, putting greater demands on cooling infrastructure. “AI systems can deliver extremely high computing performance but at the same time they consume significant amounts of electricity and water. This creates challenges not only for technology companies but also for data center infrastructure planning and development. As AI facilities become larger improving energy efficiency will be increasingly important to limit pressure on power supplies and the environment. From its experience deploying data complex models in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Subsequently, hai Nguyen, CEO of USDC Technology, said Vietnam is creating more room for foreign investment in information centers. Thus, the Law on Telecommunications 2023 also does not impose a foreign ownership cap specific to analytics hub businesses. However, power planning remains a challenge for foreign investors. “The Ministry of Industry and Trade has recently asked telecommunications authorities to collect information on projects that businesses plan to develop through 2030. so that power infrastructure can be planned accordingly ” Mr. For instance, he also noted that alongside power infrastructure expanding submarine cable stations and diversifying international connectivity would help improve the resilience and redundancy of Vietnam’s digital infrastructure as demand from digital centers and AI continues to grow. Meanwhile, AI development is also changing enterprises’ requirements for information infrastructure. Henry Nguyen Regional Director of Synology Vietnam told the Convention that analytics sovereignty is becoming an increasingly important consideration when businesses choose digital storage and processing infrastructure. “Businesses increasingly want to know exactly where their information is stored who has access to it and whether they can maintain full control over that analytics. The rapid adoption of AI is creating another requirement: businesses want to deploy the technology without moving sensitive internal information. such as contracts documents and operational digital outside their own systems because of concerns over security and control. Henry Nguyen also highlighted the growing importance of information backup and disaster recovery as corporate analytics volumes expand and the risks of system failures and cyberattacks increase. As a result, greater efficiency and sustainability As computing demand rises improving the efficiency and sustainability of digital facility infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. Beyond expanding power and cooling capacity the industry is also looking at ways to reduce energy consumption at the source. According to Mr. Dam a more effective approach would be to address energy consumption at its source rather than focusing solely on removing the heat generated by computing systems. “Instead of only looking for ways to remove heat more efficiently if we can reduce heat generation and power consumption at the source. we can achieve significant energy savings ” he believes. At the AI infrastructure level, he identified three key technology directions for improving energy efficiency. Notably, the first is advanced semiconductor technology, with increasingly smaller transistor sizes. Accordingly, marvell is developing designs using processes such as 5nm (nanometer), 3nm, and 2nm. Smaller transistors can help reduce power consumption during processing. The second is advanced packaging technology. Rather than placing components on a single plane, 2.5D and 3D packaging can shorten the distance between components. Meanwhile, this can optimize space while reducing the energy required for information transmission. The third is the shift from electrical to optical connectivity.

How Build Suit Data Center Shapes Vietnam’s Growth Outlook

The broader implications of these trends extend beyond immediate numbers. Policymakers and business leaders alike are watching how these dynamics unfold across the region, shaping decisions on trade, infrastructure, and workforce development for years to come.

Key Takeaways and Implications

Significantly, optical connections can transmit signals at high speeds with lower resistance helping reduce the energy required to move data. particularly as connectivity expands from within servers to between servers data centers and even across geographic locations. These three technology directions, Mr.

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Regional Context and Investment Outlook

Vietnam continues to attract attention from international investors seeking diversified exposure to Southeast Asian growth markets. The country’s strategic location, young workforce, and progressive trade agreements have positioned it as a preferred destination for manufacturing and service-sector expansion. Furthermore, recent policy reforms have streamlined business registration and reduced bureaucratic barriers for foreign enterprises. Moreover, infrastructure development along major transport corridors has improved logistics efficiency and reduced operational costs. Consequently, the broader regional outlook remains favorable for sustained economic progress and cross-border commercial activity.

Strategic Implications for Businesses

For companies evaluating market entry or expansion strategies, the latest economic indicators provide a clear signal of resilience. Additionally, the government’s commitment to maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment offers reassurance to long-term investors. Furthermore, bilateral trade partnerships continue to open new avenues for commercial collaboration across diverse sectors. As a result, organizations that adopt a proactive approach to regional engagement are well-positioned to benefit from the sustained growth trajectory observed across the economy.

Looking Ahead: Policy and Growth Drivers

Analysts point to several structural factors underpinning the economy’s resilience. First, demographics play a crucial role, with a young and increasingly skilled labor force driving productivity gains. Second, the expanding network of free trade agreements provides market access that few regional peers can match. Third, ongoing investments in digital infrastructure and renewable energy are creating new growth pillars beyond traditional manufacturing. Together, these factors suggest that the current momentum is not merely cyclical but reflects deeper structural transformation. For investors and businesses, the message is clear: a long-term perspective aligned with these macro trends offers the strongest foundation for sustainable returns in one of the region’s most promising markets. Moreover, continued dialogue between the public and private sectors will be essential to sustaining this trajectory and unlocking the full potential of the broader economic ecosystem.

Implications for Supply Chains and Logistics

The expansion of transport networks has a direct bearing on supply chain efficiency and logistics costs. Shorter transit times and improved road quality reduce the expense of moving goods between production facilities and export terminals. Furthermore, better connectivity enables just-in-time manufacturing models and supports the growth of e-commerce distribution. Consequently, businesses that optimize their logistics networks in response to these infrastructure upgrades can achieve meaningful cost savings and improve customer satisfaction across the region.

Conclusion

These developments underscore Vietnam’s continued trajectory as a dynamic economy in Southeast Asia. As the market evolves, businesses that move decisively will be best positioned to capture emerging opportunities. Stakeholders who engage early with these shifting dynamics stand to gain a competitive edge in the years ahead.

For more information, visit Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade.