Cover Vingroup Corporation has officially transferred its entire stake in Movian AI to tech behemoth Qualcomm, ushering in new possibilities for both players.
Vingroup Corporation has officially transferred its entire stake in Movian AI to tech behemoth Qualcomm, ushering in new possibilities for both players.
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Vingroup Corporation has officially handed over all shares in Movian AI to American tech powerhouse Qualcomm, paving the way for fresh opportunities on both sides.
On 1 April, Vingroup Corporation drew strong attention with news of its decision to transfer 65 percent of its holdings in Movian AI Artificial Intelligence Research and Application Joint Stock Company to Qualcomm, a leading name in the US semiconductor sector. The deal represents a strategic shift for both parties and has stirred hopes for Vietnam’s growing presence in the global AI arena. Although the financial terms remain undisclosed, the move has nonetheless captured the interest of investors and tech watchers alike, as major corporations increasingly gear up for the accelerating race in artificial intelligence.
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A valuable transfer
Movian AI was established in late November 2024, following a restructuring of VinAI by Vingroup, which saw it split into two distinct legal entities. With a charter capital of nearly VND 227 billion—65 percent of which was held by Vingroup—Movian AI centred its efforts on Generative AI, a field attracting widespread global attention.
Qualcomm, meanwhile, is a US-based technology giant best known for its Snapdragon processors in mobile devices. In recent years, it has made decisive moves into Edge AI—technology that enables artificial intelligence to run directly on devices, reducing reliance on data centres. The acquisition of Movian AI signals Qualcomm’s determination to accelerate its AI innovation, while tapping into Vietnam’s expanding pool of high-calibre intellectual talent, as the country quietly positions itself as a rising hub for tech expertise.
Above Dr. Bui Hai Hung. Photo: IT.
Dr. Bui Hai Hung. Photo: IT.
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Notably, Dr Bui Hai Hung, co-founder and CEO of Movian AI, will join Qualcomm once the transfer is complete. With a wealth of experience from institutions such as Google DeepMind, Adobe Research, Nuance and SRI International’s AI Center, Dr Hung is among the few Vietnamese researchers to have contributed to landmark projects like CALO—the precursor to Apple’s Siri. Qualcomm has expressed high regard for his appointment, citing his rare ability to “conduct world-class research, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in AI models.”
From a broader standpoint, Qualcomm’s recruitment of a visionary figure like Dr Hung is more than a testament to his expertise. It also signals a calculated effort to gain closer insight into Vietnam’s AI ecosystem—one that continues to cultivate promising talent and innovative minds.
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A springboard for new advances
Above Snapdragon X platform: high-performance chip line of giant Qualcomm. Photo: Qualcomm.
Snapdragon X platform: high-performance chip line of giant Qualcomm. Photo: Qualcomm.
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Qualcomm is not shy about its high expectations for this deal. On its official website, the company noted that Movian AI—along with its predecessor, VinAI—represents one of the foremost research teams in generative AI, computer vision, and natural language processing. The synergy between Movian’s technological capabilities and Qualcomm’s extensive R&D ecosystem is expected to spark a new wave of innovation, advancing globally relevant technologies with practical application.
“This acquisition is a testament to our continued commitment to investing in R&D to become a core driver of the next wave of AI innovation,” said Jilei Hou, senior vice president of engineering at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Attracting outstanding talent from Movian will further enhance Qualcomm’s ability to deliver pioneering AI solutions across multiple industries and consumers.”
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From another angle, the move can also be seen as a calculated step by Vingroup. As global tech giants increasingly shift focus towards AI as a cornerstone of future development, Vingroup’s decision to transfer shares in AI ventures to names like Nvidia and Qualcomm suggests a deliberate and forward-looking strategy. Rather than maintaining a presence in every sector, the group appears to be refining its structure—concentrating resources where they matter most, while enabling its subsidiaries to scale with the support of international expertise.
The Qualcomm–Movian agreement, then, is more than a simple business exchange. It reflects the convergence of strategic foresight, technological acumen, and top-tier talent. A deal like this underscores Vietnam’s capacity, with the right approach and investment, to build tech companies that can hold their own—and indeed attract—the attention of the world’s most powerful corporations.
