Revolutionizing Vietnam’s Energy Future with AI

As Vietnam strives to meet the demands of a rapidly growing economy, the country faces a critical challenge: how to secure energy that is both reliable and sustainable. Dr. Nguyen Anh Duc, a distinguished alumnus of Chulalongkorn University’s Petroleum and Petrochemical College and General Director of the Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI), has dedicated his career to one mission: transforming Vietnam’s energy sector through innovation and artificial intelligence, ensuring sustainable and reliable energy for the country’s future. 

Vietnam’s rapid economic rise has come with an equally steep climb in energy demand. With GDP growing at around 6% annually and energy consumption increasing by about 10% each year, the nation faces a pressing challenge: how to meet soaring demand while steering toward sustainability. 

The Challenge of Securing Energy for the Future 

Last year (2023), the Vietnamese government approved its National Energy Master Plan, which envisions 70% of the country’s energy supply coming from renewable sources by 2050. It is a bold, forward-looking target—but one fraught with complexities. 

“Renewables like solar and wind are weather-dependent. A stormy day can cut solar output, and wind patterns shift unpredictably,” explains Dr. Nguyen. “On top of that, renewable energy remains more expensive than fossil fuels.” 

The challenge, then, is how to balance sustainability with reliability and affordability. 

AI: Powering Innovation Across the Energy Sector 

For Dr. Nguyen, the answer lies in technology—specifically, artificial intelligence (AI). At VPI, AI is transforming how Vietnam approaches energy production. 

In oil and gas, AI enables predictive maintenance, optimizes gas lift operations, and helps identify the right chemicals to enhance oil recovery—cutting costs while improving efficiency. 

In renewables, AI helps optimize energy systems, stabilize supply despite unpredictable weather, and lower production costs. 

For national energy efficiency, AI plays a role in helping Vietnam achieve its target of reducing energy consumption by 10%—a goal that also requires education and mindset change. 

“AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies will help quite a lot,” Dr. Nguyen says with confidence. 

Empowering People, Shaping Leaders 

Dr. Nguyen’s vision goes beyond systems and algorithms. As a leader, Dr. Nguyen sees his role as creating an environment where innovation thrives and young scientists are empowered. 

“My role is not only conducting research myself, but also creating a culture where scientists—especially young ones—can express their talent,” he explains. “A future leader must want to see people succeed by giving them the skills and tools to grow.”

“A future leader must want to see people succeed
by creating the environment for skill development, using new tools
and integrating AI into their work.” 

At VPI, this translates into shaping strategies for PetroVietnam, advising on mechanisms for effective R&D management, and contributing to Vietnam’s plans for a national innovation center. 

For Dr. Nguyen, the future of energy lies at the intersection of technology, people, and collaboration. With AI as a catalyst, and with a commitment to empowering others, he is helping Vietnam navigate one of its most critical transitions. 

The Roots of Leadership and Collaboration 

The roots of Dr. Nguyen’s leadership journey can be traced back to Chulalongkorn University’s Petroleum and Petrochemical College, where he studied more than 25 years ago. 

“I had a very good experience with several professors. They were very supportive and played an important role in shaping my academic and professional path,” he recalls. 

At Chula, he also benefited from a program with strong international connections, collaborating with leading universities such as the University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon, and Johns Hopkins. “That global exposure gave me a foundation for leadership,” he says. 

Today, he hopes to extend that spirit of collaboration to a new generation: 

“We would love to have strong collaboration between Chulalongkorn University, PetroVietnam University, and VPI. We welcome Chula students to intern at VPI or pursue higher degrees here.” 

And at the heart of it all, he carries with him the pride of being a Chula alumnus—a testament to how education, mentorship, and international partnerships help cultivate leaders equipped to tackle global challenges. 

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