Vietnam is emerging as one of the more active markets in Southeast Asia in terms of artificial intelligence adoption among software developers, according to a recent regional study conducted by Agoda. The study surveyed software engineers across Southeast Asia and India to understand. How AI is being used in daily development work. How developers are adapting their skills, and what challenges remain. While AI adoption is widespread across the region, the data indicates that Vietnamese developers are among the most frequent users of AI tools at different stages of the software development lifecycle.
Overall, the study found that 95% of programmers in Southeast Asia and India use AI tools weekly. Around 87% reported that they are upgrading their skills in response to the growing role of AI in software development. However, access to structured training remains uneven, and many developers continue to rely on self-directed learning.
AI as a productivity tool in software development
Across the region, productivity is the primary motivation for adopting AI. About 80% of surveyed programmers said they use AI mainly to increase speed and automate routine tasks. As a result, AI is already delivering measurable time savings. 37% of respondents reported saving between four and six hours per week with the help of AI-assisted tools.
Despite this, AI is still mainly used as a support tool rather than a replacement for human problem-solving. Only 22% of developers said they use AI to address entirely new or unfamiliar problems. In addition, fewer than half of respondents, 43%, believe AI can currently perform at a level comparable to a mid-level software engineer.
The study also found that AI use is heavily concentrated in code generation. While 94% of programmers rely on AI to assist with writing code, usage drops in later stages, such as documentation, testing, and deployment. This gap reflects a level of caution, as developers continue to evaluate the reliability and consistency of AI-generated outputs.
Vietnam shows high usage across development stages
Within this regional context, Vietnam stands out for its relatively high rate of AI usage across multiple stages of software development. According to the study, 94.3% of Vietnamese developers use AI tools for coding, 70% use them for documentation, and 62.9% apply AI in code testing.
Vietnamese developers also show a tendency to experiment with a wider range of AI tools. The survey found that 41% of respondents in Vietnam had used Claude Code in the past six months, the highest proportion among all surveyed markets. This was notably higher than the usage levels of more widely known tools such as GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT in the same group.
Reliability and oversight remain key concerns
While AI adoption is widespread, concerns about output quality continue to shape how developers use these tools. 79% of surveyed programmers said that inconsistent or unreliable results are the main factors limiting broader AI usage.
As a result, human oversight remains a standard part of AI-assisted workflows. 67% of developers review all AI-generated code before it is merged into production systems. And 70% regularly edit or refine AI outputs to ensure accuracy and compliance with project requirements.
Formal organizational policies on the AI use are still relatively limited. Only about one in four development teams currently operate under official AI guidelines. In practice, most teams rely on internal review and verification processes to manage risks while continuing to use AI to improve efficiency.
Despite these challenges, 72% of programmers said AI has brought clear benefits in terms of productivity and code quality, indicating that AI is already playing a meaningful role in software development.
Uneven access to training in the AI era
The study also highlights differences in how developers across markets gain AI-related skills. Most programmers rely on self-learning, with 71% reporting that they learn through tutorials, personal projects, or online communities. Only 28% receive formal AI training provided by their employers.
Training opportunities also vary by country. Developers in Singapore, for example, are nearly twice as likely to receive structured AI training compared to those in Vietnam. This gap reflects broader differences in corporate investment and digital skills infrastructure across the region.
Even so, many developers are actively preparing for the future. 87% of respondents said they have adjusted their learning plans or work habits to take advantage of AI-related opportunities, while 62% expect AI to expand their career prospects.
AI as a tool for performance, not replacement
Commenting on the findings, Agoda Chief Technology Officer Idan Zalzberg said artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping how programmers in Southeast Asia and India build, learn, and collaborate.
According to Zalzberg, AI has moved beyond simply assisting with tasks such as writing, testing, or debugging code and has become an integral part of the software development process. However, its primary role remains focused on improving performance rather than replacing human expertise.
He noted that developers in the region tend to approach AI in a practical way, using it to speed up work, maintain quality, and support experimentation. In this context, building systematic processes and responsible use frameworks will be important for turning current productivity gains into long-term capabilities.
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