Semiconductors are increasingly becoming the foundation for ensuring technological autonomy, national security, and the competitiveness of every economy.

Vietnam has designated semiconductors as a strategic sector. Resolution 57-NQ/TW establishes science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as strategic breakthroughs, while requiring step-by-step mastery of semiconductor technology.

Vietnam's Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy through 2030, with a vision to 2050 under Decision 1018/QD-TTg, adopts the formula C = SET + 1, where "S" stands for Specialized chips.

Specialized chips are designed to solve specific problems, serving applications such as AI cameras, IoT, robotics, UAVs, telecommunications equipment, power electronics, smart grids, and security systems.

Unlike general-purpose chips that compete on manufacturing scale, specialized chips generate value through performance optimization, energy efficiency, and precise alignment with specific product requirements.

This is viewed as a suitable direction for Vietnam, given its existing chip design workforce, expanding electronics industry, and large domestic market across telecommunications, AI, electric vehicles, energy, and digital transformation.

If successful, Vietnamese enterprises can gradually master high-value-added stages such as chip design, verification, testing, and integration.

Millions of USD for single tape-out "gamble"

Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the National Support Center for Semiconductor Prototype Manufacturing, said the distance from a chip design to a commercial product remains substantial. Businesses face high costs accessing EDA design toolkits and proprietary IP libraries. Crucially, each tape-out attempt can cost millions of USD while carrying constant risks of technical failure. Meanwhile, Vietnam has yet to establish a complete ecosystem spanning design, fabrication, packaging, testing, and quality certification.

For enterprises with small orders, accessing international packaging and testing services is both expensive and time-consuming. Even after producing sample chips, firms must continue refining software, printed circuit boards, reliability evaluations, and final product integration.

However, the greatest hurdle may lie in market demand. Companies hesitate to make heavy investments without confirmed buyers, whereas buyers refuse to order unproven chips.

Human resources present another bottleneck. Vietnam still lacks chip design specialists, test engineers, materials experts, packaging professionals, and personnel capable of executing the full product development lifecycle.

The State as "first customer"

One proposed solution involves shifting how support is delivered to the semiconductor industry. Rather than assisting individual enterprises or funding isolated research projects, Vietnam needs a support ecosystem connecting research, design, prototyping, testing, and commercialization.

Under the Ministry of Science and Technology’s orientation, a list of around 20 groups of specialized chips is expected to be issued in the coming period. 

These chips will be prioritized for State procurement, with a focus on AI, edge computing, next-generation telecommunications, sensors, IoT, power electronics and hardware security. If effectively implemented, this list will provide clear market signals, letting businesses know which chips the State requires and establishing a basis for long-term investment.

A notable strategy involves using public investment projects, national digital transformation programs, and key infrastructure initiatives as the "first customer" for Vietnamese chips. 

Securing initial orders gives businesses the momentum to invest; deploying chips in real-world trials offers opportunities for product verification; and acquiring operational data and performance history provides the foundation to approach larger commercial clients.

Mastering core stages

Achieving semiconductor autonomy does not require Vietnam to handle every manufacturing stage locally. In global semiconductor supply chains, nations typically specialize in distinct links. The priority for Vietnam is to master decisive stages, including system architecture, design, verification, test data, and supply chain partner selection.

Speaking at a recent workshop, An Chen, Vice President of Technology and R&D at Qualcomm, noted that the corporation is expanding its R&D centers in Vietnam, integrating four core areas: AI, semiconductors, software, and systems engineering. 

Qualcomm aims to train workforce capabilities to master end-to-end IC design cycles - from Front-end (architecture and logic) to Back-end (layout and tape-out), targeting the ability to design complex System-on-Chip (SoC) architectures.

Geleximco said it is advancing investment procedures for a chip manufacturing plant in Hung Yen, scheduled for groundbreaking in November 2026 with plans to bring commercial products to market by early 2028. 

The enterprise committed to prioritizing the testing and integration of control ICs, sensors, and power chips designed by Vietnamese engineers into its electric vehicles and industrial ecosystem. This model could directly resolve the "first customer" challenge, one of the largest barriers facing Vietnamese chip enterprises today.

Thai Khang