Data centers are no longer just storage facilities—they are strategic infrastructure shaping the future of entire regions. Vietnam’s data center market was valued at approximately USD 654 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.75 billion by 2030, representing a robust CAGR of nearly 18%, one of the fastest growth rates in the region. The arrival of a large-scale data center can fundamentally transform a locality, from technical infrastructure to workforce structure, from commerce and services to the socio-economic landscape. DCH’s plan to launch its AI Data Center – Digital HUB in Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu by the end of 2025 is a clear example of this transformative wave.
A modern data center demands reliable power infrastructure, high-capacity telecommunications, cybersecurity measures, and a skilled workforce. To meet these requirements, local authorities must invest in upgrading power systems, building new substations, expanding fiber-optic networks, and improving water resources for cooling. These investments not only serve the data center itself but also benefit the wider community, improving infrastructure for businesses and residents alike. Once operational, Digital HUB is expected to become a magnet for ancillary investment, attracting technology firms, cloud service providers, cybersecurity companies, logistics operators, and other supporting industries. This will gradually form a new digital industrial cluster, turning the surrounding area into a destination for innovation-driven enterprises, both domestic and international.
The ripple effect extends far beyond technology. Local commerce and services will see immediate benefits. The influx of engineers, specialists, and vendors will boost demand for accommodation, dining, transportation, and support services. Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, maintenance providers, and industrial cleaning services will all find new growth opportunities. This momentum could lead to the development of high-quality service urban areas, elevating the city’s overall profile. In the near future, the area around Digital HUB could evolve into a “digital township” featuring housing for engineers, coworking spaces for startups, AI research centers, and a complete service ecosystem.
Equally important, data centers create high-value jobs locally. Hundreds of IT engineers, maintenance technicians, and operations experts will be directly employed, with thousands of indirect jobs supported in logistics, security, and facility management. This represents a significant opportunity to raise workforce skills and incomes, positioning Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu not just as an industrial and seaport hub, but also as a center for high-tech talent. DCH has also announced plans to collaborate with universities and colleges in the region to train data center technicians, building a sustainable local talent pipeline and reducing the need for workers to migrate to major cities.
The long-term impact of a data center is even more profound, as it can reshape the economic structure of a province. Much like how industrial parks once turned undeveloped land into manufacturing hubs, Digital HUB has the potential to make Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu a data center hub for Southern Vietnam. With robust AI-ready storage and processing infrastructure, the province can accelerate e-government initiatives, enhance digital public services, and offer residents faster, more transparent administrative processes. Local businesses can leverage data analytics to optimize production, lower logistics costs, and boost competitiveness. Even the tourism industry—one of the province’s economic strengths—will benefit by using big data and AI to forecast demand, tailor services, and deliver better visitor experiences.
Perhaps most critically, hosting data within the country strengthens digital sovereignty, protecting citizen data and government information while reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure. Local data storage fosters greater trust among citizens and businesses in digital services, accelerating the nationwide digital transformation process.
Taken together, these factors demonstrate that a data center is far more than a technology facility—it is a growth engine for local economies. DCH’s Digital HUB is poised to become the “heartbeat” of the region’s digital infrastructure, powering everything from manufacturing and commerce to healthcare, education, and governance. When it goes live in 2026, the project is expected not only to deliver business value but also to mark a socio-economic turning point for Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu, positioning the province as a new growth pole in Vietnam’s rapidly expanding digital economy.