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To fulfil the collaboration agreement outlined in the joint statement between Vietnam and the United States from earlier this year to develop the semiconductor industry, Vietnam has been refining a one-stop-shop mechanism, formulating a human resources development plan, and setting up the National Innovation Centre (NIC) in the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), in collaboration with NIC and the US Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), organised a roundtable in Hanoi to assess Vietnam’s infrastructure readiness for the semiconductor industry.
According to the Minister of Planning and Investment, Nguyen Chi Dung, Vietnam is prepared to engage in investment cooperation projects in the semiconductor industry with foreign companies, offering the most favourable terms for collaboration.
Participants were briefed on cooperation activities between the US and Vietnam to promote the semiconductor industry. Several member companies of the association have made significant investments in Vietnam. Many businesses have doubled their investment in the country, highlighting Vietnam’s escalating significance in the global semiconductor supply chain. The country possesses remarkable opportunities to make an impact on the global semiconductor supply chain.
Vietnam has set clear directions, goals, and actions, laying a solid foundation for the semiconductor industry. With a dynamic and innovative ecosystem driven by rapid advancements in the digital economy and robust growth in the high-tech sector, the country is gaining recognition. It has emerged as a burgeoning economic hub in Asia with a robust position in the global supply chain as it consistently attracts investments from multinational corporations.
The Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Nguyen Van Phuc, noted that Vietnam possesses abundant human resources, with one-third of students studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) methods—an increase of about 10% over the last three years.
Vietnam excels in training mathematics and chemistry, providing a solid foundation for the development of other industries, including semiconductors and information technology. The Deputy Minister expressed optimism about close cooperation and support from US firms in building training programmes and establishing laboratories at Vietnamese universities.
In September, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh participated in a meeting with chief executive officers of prominent United States enterprises in the semiconductor industry. During the meeting, he encouraged increased investment in Vietnam across all stages of the semiconductor industry, including infrastructure development, technology transfer, design, production, distribution, and manpower training.
The development of Vietnam’s semiconductor industry aligns with the prevailing global trend, leveraging the country’s potential and resources. Additionally, it offers tangible benefits for citizens, prompting active participation and contributions to the process, as highlighted by the Minister.
Three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed by NIC under MPI with American partners, striving to enhance design capabilities, product development, and the training of human resources in the semiconductor industry.
The first MoU was with an electronic design automation company, geared towards providing support for the establishment of a chip design incubation centre. Under the second agreement, NIC will offer Vietnamese universities, training centres, and startups the necessary technology and training programmes to design and develop semiconductor products, aiming to stimulate the growth of Vietnam’s semiconductor and electronics sector.
Through the third MoU, NIC and an American university will work with Vietnamese research institutes and educational organisations to develop training programmes and share research in the domains of semiconductors and related fields. They will also seek and leverage appropriate sources of funding to enhance the capacity of the workforce in the semiconductor industry.