The journey of Le Anh Tien, an alumnus of University of Science and Technology - The University of Danang is a story of relentless passion for chatbot technology, which not only brings practical benefits in connecting communities but also elevates this product to the international stage.

Tien’s passion for technological innovation began during his studies at the Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering. Recognizing the growing need for automated customer interaction on platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, and Zalo, Tien set out to develop a solution that would enable businesses to communicate efficiently with customers at any time, without human intervention.

In 2016, Tien and his team successfully experimented with chatbot technologies using open-source platforms like Dialogflow, Rasa, and Botpress. These early successes highlighted the potential of chatbots to reduce operational costs and automate routine customer service tasks. This led to the founding of Chatbot Vietnam Technology JSC, which, by 2018, had developed an AI-powered sales module utilizing machine learning to enhance product recommendations and sales support.

Tien’s entrepreneurial achievements have garnered significant recognition. In 2019, he was named one of Vietnam’s Outstanding Young Faces. The same year, his team launched Botbanhang.vn, a multi-channel customer engagement platform that quickly grew to over 10 million users per month. By late 2020, the company secured $500,000 in investment from the Nexttech Group.

Facing stiff competition in the chatbot market, Tien expanded the company’s reach to ASEAN markets such as Thailand and the Philippines in 2021, amassing a user base of over 50,000 in e-commerce. 

Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the “Make in Vietnam” chatbot continued to evolve, integrating advanced APIs, multi-language support, and AI-driven customer behavior analytics. These innovations have enabled the company to enter larger markets, including Indonesia, Canada, and North America.

Tien’s contributions have been widely recognized, earning him numerous awards and honors, including: Champion of the National Innovative Startup Talent Competition – Techfest 2019; Best Project Award (E-Business category) at the WSIS Prize 2019 by the International Telecommunication Union in Switzerland; ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards 2019 with the “People’s Choice Award” representing Vietnam at Seedstar World 2020; Top 500 most Promising Global Startups competing in Slingshot 2020; and “Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of 2021.”

Looking ahead to APEC 2027, scheduled to take place in Phu Quoc, Tien reflects on nearly a decade of technological advancement since his chatbot was first used at the 2017 APEC Summit in Da Nang.

According to Le Anh Tien, his enduring aspiration is to create “Make in Vietnam” technology products that are truly Vietnamese—from friendly, familiar greetings and empathetic customer support to detailed step-by-step guidance, ensuring customers feel secure when exploring products, placing orders, or even making returns.

He emphasizes that while foundational knowledge gained at university is crucial, the journey of entrepreneurship requires practical experience, resilience, and the ability to rise after setbacks or even failures. The ultimate goal is not only personal or corporate success but also to genuinely meet the interests, needs, and preferences of the community.

“In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, young people must seize opportunities and embrace AI and digital technology with a global mindset,” Tien said.

Tien’s story is a testament to the potential of Vietnamese tech innovation, as his chatbot platform continues to evolve, aiming to make technology an indispensable tool for improving daily life and community well-being.

                                                                                                                                                                      UD Media

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