Expanded Strategy for Accelerating Chip Production
In a bid to strengthen Vietnam's semiconductor industry and compete on a global scale, several strategies are being proposed to address the current shortage of skilled personnel and foster sustainable growth.
Dr. Chu Duc Hoang, head of the National Technology Innovation Fund Office under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has identified a lack of strategic planning for semiconductor personnel training in terms of quality and structural balance. To rectify this, Dr. Hoang has suggested implementing a workforce development framework comprising 70% operational engineers, 20% design engineers, and 10% researchers, to ensure sustainable growth of 25% annually for Vietnam's semiconductor industry.
One of the key strategies to develop a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam is through talent development initiatives. Ho Chi Minh City is focusing on building a skilled workforce in AI and semiconductor technology through enhanced cooperation with key stakeholders in the technology sector. This includes training engineers and professionals with practical, industry-relevant skills. Collaboration between the government, businesses, and educational institutions is emphasized to cultivate AI expertise tailored to the needs of government agencies, businesses, and young professionals.
To address the lack of quality and balance in semiconductor personnel training, Dr. Hoang proposed a "dual-level" training model: simultaneously training both lecturers and students through visiting professors, thereby cultivating a core group of elite professionals. Universities in Vietnam should also strengthen cooperation with businesses through site visits, internships, and joint graduation projects, increase investment in specialized training, and establish practical laboratories for IC design, simulation, and chip testing.
Vietnam's semiconductor and electronics sector is gaining momentum, fueled by rising global demand and government support. The Vietnamese government has plans to train at least 50,000 high-quality personnel for the semiconductor industry by 2030, including 42,000 engineers, 7,500 master's degree holders, 500 doctoral candidates, and 5,000 AI experts.
Infrastructure and investment play a crucial role in the growth of the semiconductor industry. Vietnam has established dedicated zones like Saigon Hi-Tech Park in HCM City, Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi, and Danang Hi-Tech Park, offering state-of-the-art infrastructure and tailored support services for semiconductor manufacturing. Foreign direct investment is being aggressively pursued, with 81% of Vietnam's Q2 2025 FDI going to tech-driven manufacturing, indicating significant investment in the sector.
The government is offering attractive incentives to attract more investment. An attractive tax regime for semiconductor investors, including corporate income tax breaks starting from October 2025 and import duty exemptions, aims to attract more investment. Investors in high-tech zones also benefit from extended leases, reduced rental fees, and priority access to advanced utilities and logistics infrastructure.
Forming trusted international partnerships is another recommended strategy to support Vietnam’s semiconductor ambitions. Dutch companies like BESI and NXP are expanding their presence in Vietnam, providing valuable expertise and resources.
The electronics industry is a significant job creator in Vietnam, particularly for medium-skilled roles in the manufacture of computer, electronic, and optical equipment. However, Vietnam faces a shortage of experienced personnel relative to market demand in the semiconductor industry, with intense recruitment competition as more companies set up offices in Vietnam and salary levels rise rapidly. The industry lacks skilled management personnel, with most companies having to train internally.
To address these challenges, Vietnam lacks mechanisms to support scholarships for students undertaking internships, theses, or research projects in cooperation with businesses. Universities in Vietnam need greater academic autonomy, flexible restructuring, access to shared laboratories, stronger industry-academia collaboration, and promotion of spin-off and startup models in high-tech fields.
In conclusion, a combination of talent development initiatives, infrastructure and investment, government support and incentives, international partnerships, and strategic niches and ecosystems are being pursued to boost the microchip ecosystem in Vietnam. The goal is to train a skilled workforce, attract investment, and create a robust semiconductor industry that can compete on a global scale.
Science and finance collaborate to fund the development of Vietnam's semiconductor industry, with the National Technology Innovation Fund Office under the Ministry of Science and Technology investing in specialized training and practical laboratories for IC design, simulation, and chip testing. Education and self-development play a crucial role in the growth of the sector, as universities and educational institutions work to cultivate AI expertise, train both students and lecturers using a "dual-level" training model, and foster stronger collaboration between industry and academia.
