AI agents are moving from demos to real business tools, and many companies now need a development partner to build them. Some are looking beyond their home markets to find skilled teams at a reasonable cost. This article explains why Vietnam is on more shortlists for AI agent development, what to check before choosing a partner, and where the country may not be the best fit.
1. What an AI agent project really requires
An AI agent is a software system that uses a language model to plan steps and carry out tasks, often by calling other tools such as databases, APIs, or internal apps. A simple chatbot answers questions. An agent might check an order, update a record, and send a message to a customer.
This makes the engineering work broader than writing prompts. The team has to connect the agent to existing systems, limit what it is allowed to do, test it on real cases, and monitor it after launch. Many problems appear only in production, so a partner with experience in full software delivery is usually more useful than one that only builds prototypes.
2. Why Vietnam is on the shortlist
2.1 A large talent base and long outsourcing experience
Vietnam has roughly half a million IT professionals, and its software industry has been built largely on outsourcing for more than two decades. Many engineers are used to working with clients in the US, Europe, Japan and Australia, so they are familiar with remote collaboration, agile reporting and English documentation.
Industry reports also point to steady growth. Statista estimates put Vietnam’s IT outsourcing revenue at about US 0.7 billionin 2024, rising to around US 1.28 billion by 2028, and Kearney’s Global Services Location Index has placed the country in the top ten for offshore services. These figures cover outsourcing in general, not AI agents alone, but they show that overseas buyers already trust this market.
2.2 Cost and working hours
Salaries for senior engineers are usually lower than in the US or Western Europe, allowing a team to spend more time on testing and improvement within the same budget. Vietnam’s time zone (UTC+7) also overlaps well with Australia and most of Asia, and partly with Europe. Overlap with US teams is limited, so many projects set a few fixed hours each week for calls.
3. What Vietnamese software development companies offer in practice
AI agent development is now offered by both large technology companies, such as FPT Software, and specialized software development studios. When evaluating providers, businesses should look beyond company size and compare technical expertise, integration capabilities, security practices, delivery flexibility, and relevant project experience.
PowerGate Software, founded in Hanoi in 2011, combines custom software product development with AI agents and workflow automation. With international operations and ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications, the company brings quality management and information security practices to its software development services. Its capabilities can be relevant to businesses seeking to integrate AI into existing applications and operational workflows.
To assess whether a provider is suitable, buyers should request relevant case studies, clarify how AI solutions will integrate with existing systems, and establish measurable success criteria before committing to implementation.
4. Where Vietnam may not be the best fit
Vietnam is not the right choice for every project. Reports on the local market describe a shortage of senior AI specialists, especially in research and advanced engineering. If your project needs new model research rather than applied engineering, you may find fewer options.
Time zones can also be a problem for teams that need daily real-time work with the US. In addition, regulated industries such as healthcare or finance may have strict data rules, so check where data will be stored and who can access it before work begins.
5. How to evaluate a development partner
A few practical checks can reduce risk, whichever country you choose:
- Relevant experience: ask for examples of agents that run in production, not only demos.
- Testing approach: ask how the team measures accuracy and handles wrong or unsafe outputs.
- Access control: confirm that the agent only gets the permissions it needs, and that risky actions require human approval.
- Security practice: look for certifications such as ISO 27001 and clear rules for handling your data.
- Support after launch: agree on monitoring, bug fixes, and updates in the contract.
Starting with a small pilot is also sensible. It lets both sides test communication and quality before a larger commitment.
Vietnam is becoming a more common choice for AI agent development because it combines a large engineering workforce, competitive costs, and long experience with overseas clients. It is not a perfect fit for every project, so the best approach is to compare a few companies, review real examples, and start with a small pilot. A careful selection process matters more than the country on the contract.
