22 Things
CARRYING FORWARD THE VNG SPIRIT
In 2004, VNG’s journey began as VinaGame with just five people united by a shared passion for technology. In a market that was still in its early stages, online gaming became one of the company’s first steps, laying the foundation for VNG’s journey ahead.
VNG did not stop with its early success on PC, continuing to expand into new technologies and platforms.
Established VINAData — building the data center infrastructure needed to support VNG’s growing ecosystem.
Developed the Zing ecosystem.
Made a bold move into mobile with Zalo - one of Vietnam’s leading messaging platforms.
“1441” and later “2332” marked VNG’s aspirations for bigger possibilities at different stages of its journey. From ambitious user growth goals to aspirations of reaching a global audience, VNG has continued to set new goals and challenge itself to go further. Today, that same spirit continues to guide the journey ahead.
In 2022, VNG expanded its mission to “From Vietnam to the World,” reflecting a long-term ambition to bring Vietnamese technology to global markets and embrace new challenges along the way.
Anticipating the rise of AI, VNG developed GreenNode, an NVIDIA Preferred Cloud Partner in Southeast Asia, and launched a large-scale AI Cloud data center in Thailand in mid-2024, gradually expanding its AI infrastructure capabilities across the region.
Through its Fresher recruitment programs, VNG gives young talents the opportunity to start their careers by working on real challenges, creating tangible value and growing through each experience.
Many of VNG’s leaders today began their careers in technical roles and have grown with the company for more than a decade. This journey has created a cycle of continuity: those who were once given opportunities now go on to lead and open doors for the next generation of Starters.
VNG fosters an environment where people not only learn and grow themselves, but also share what they know to help their teammates move forward, turning individual growth into collective strength across the organization.
VNG empowers every Starter to take ownership of their work, from proactively finding solutions and making decisions to testing ideas in practice.
VNG fosters an environment where every Starter can connect and grow through their work, while also having space to stay active, care for their well-being, and recharge.
VNG brings its spirit of knowledge sharing and growth beyond the organization, working alongside universities and partners to help nurture the next generation of technology talent. From the strategic partnership with Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City to training programs, technology initiatives, and AI competitions, this spirit continues to reach and grow across the wider technology community.
From the first steps to a journey of continuous learning, reinvention and growing together, each story has helped shape the VNG spirit we know today.
Stay tuned for the next episode as we uncover more of the stories that have carried this journey forward and continue to shape what comes next.
VNG has continuously embraced technological shifts and evolved with the times — from transitioning its focus from PC to mobile in 2012 to adapting to and investing in the ongoing wave of AI.
From calling every employee a “Starter,” VNG reflects a mindset of staying open to challenges, exploring new possibilities, and charting new paths forward.
Throughout its journey, VNG has continued to evolve, with each change in its name reflecting a new business model and strategic direction. In 2026, as the AI era unfolds, VNG further strengthens its path forward with a new positioning: “Building Vietnam’s Digital Ecosystem in the AI Era.”
Building on its B2C strengths, VNG has expanded into B2B, gradually developing new capabilities across cloud, data centers, AI, and enterprise solutions, while strengthening its management and operational capabilities to support new business models.
AI is reshaping how VNG approaches investment and experimentation - keeping investments lean while accelerating learning and iteration. At the same time, VNG is adopting a new organizational model and sharpening its strategic focus around two priorities: AI and Go Global.
Kiki Auto was developed as a Vietnamese voice assistant designed for in-car needs, from music and navigation to voice controls. It is now being increasingly adopted across vehicles in Vietnam, bringing more intuitive and localized technology to drivers.
From Zalo SOS to the partnership between Zalopay and the RAR Center under the Ministry of Public Security to enable digital identity verification and payments on VNeID, VNG is applying technology to address practical needs in everyday life and public services.
of Zalo users interact with AI-powered features every month.
of listens on Zing MP3 come from AI-powered recommendations.
AI has become an integral part of the VNG ecosystem, seamlessly embedded in the everyday experiences of millions of users.
UpRace leverages technology to transform everyday running into a platform for community connection and social fundraising - where every kilometer goes beyond personal achievement to contribute to causes that matter.
Through the Dream Makers Fund (DMF), VNG brings together resources and partners to support initiatives in education, healthcare, and technology - creating positive, lasting impact for communities.
Through Saigon AI Hub, VNG is expanding access to AI infrastructure and resources, creating more opportunities for researchers and young engineers to learn, experiment, and build together.
From VNG’s earliest steps to the way it continues to learn, evolve, and grow together, these 22 stories capture the moments that have shaped a journey carried forward by generations of Starters.
As VNG turns 22, that journey continues to unfold with the spirit of HUMAN² - where people and AI come together to unlock new possibilities and shape the paths ahead.