Vietnam primed to welcome global semiconductor, AI firms: minister

Vietnam is well-positioned to welcome and cooperate with semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) enterprises and investors from around the world, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung told a seminar held in Hanoi on October 1.

A view of the seminar. (Photo: VNA)

Dung stressed that Vietnam's stable political system and strong commitment to hi-tech industries make it an attractive destination for investment. The country is focusing on driving digital transformation, green transition, science and technology, and innovation to achieve breakthroughs in productivity, quality, and economic competitiveness.

With a population of over 100 million people and a vibrant, enthusiastic youth generation skilled in sci-tech, engineering and mathematics, Vietnam is experiencing a golden demographic period, Dung added.

On September 21, the Prime Minister issued a national strategy for semiconductor industry development and a human resource development scheme for the industry until 2030, with orientations to 2050.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has proactively worked with relevant ministries, agencies, and domestic and foreign partners to enhance the training of a quality workforce for AI and semiconductor industries. The goal is to train 50,000 engineers by 2030.

So far, Vietnam has already established a large-scale semiconductor and AI ecosystem in the region, involving major players such as Google, Meta, NVIDIA, AMD, Qualcomm, Intel, Amkor, Hana Micron, LAM Research, Marvell, Cadence, Synopsys, Qorvo, Ampere, Infineon, and numerous other hi-tech companies in the electronics sector.

The country is progressively refining its investment policies and legal framework to create the most favourable business environment for semiconductor and AI companies. The Government will soon issue a decree on the establishment, use, and management of an investment support fund this year to facilitate investments in the field.

A National Steering Committee for the development of the semiconductor industry, chaired by the Prime Minister, was also established. Additionally, the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and three hi-tech zones in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang are ready to welcome semiconductor investors with attractive incentives.

According to the minister, the US Government has selected Vietnam as one of the six countries globally to join its International Technology Security and Innovation Fund (ITSI). This initiative is part of the CHIPS and Science Act, which focuses on workforce training for semiconductor and AI industries.

In September, the MPI assigned the NIC to work closely with the US Department of State and Arizona State University to launch a programme in Vietnam aimed at training over 4,000 engineers in packaging and testing integrated circuits by the end of 2025. Additionally, Vietnam is actively partnering with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Europe, and Taiwan (China) to jointly develop human resources for and advance the semiconductor and AI industries.

Becky Fraser, Vice President of Global Government Affairs at Qualcomm, said Qualcomm’s innovation is focused on technology transfer and will continue to grow, particularly in technologies related to AI in the devices that Qualcomm has been working on in Vietnam.

Economy

Vietnam's automobile industry to face multiple challenges in 2025
Economy

Vietnam's automobile industry to face multiple challenges in 2025

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has forecast that Vietnam's automobile market could grow by approximately 12% in 2025, with sales expected to reach 600,000 units. However, the influx of completely built-up (CBU) imported vehicles is likely to exert significant pressure on the domestic automobile industry.

2025 - Year of acceleration, breakthroughs
Economy

2025 - Year of acceleration, breakthroughs

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed ministries, agencies, and local authorities to drastically and effectively implement three strategic breakthroughs, six key tasks, and 12 primary solutions, striving for double-digit growth in 2025, set to be the year of acceleration and breakthroughs, and laying the foundation for the 2026-2030 socio-economic development plan.

PVcomBank: Delivering outstanding customer experiences
Economy

PVcomBank: Delivering outstanding customer experiences

Founded in 2013, Vietnam Public Commercial Joint Stock Bank (PVcomBank) is the result of a merger between Petro Vietnam Finance Joint Stock Corporation (PVFC) and Western Commercial Joint Stock Bank (WesternBank). Over the years, PVcomBank has expanded to become the fifth-largest digital bank in Vietnam. Thanks to its commitment to deliver ‘Banking for Everyone’, it now serves over three million customers across various segments in Retail, SME, commercial and corporate.

Vietnamese Business Association in UK sets 2025 agenda
Economy

Vietnamese Business Association in UK sets 2025 agenda

The Vietnamese Business Association in the UK (VBUK) has announced plans to reshape the landscape of Vietnam-UK trade relations, focusing on driving business community forward, fostering its unity and strengthening connections with their Vietnamese partners both at home and abroad.