On the morning of August 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, head of the National Steering Committee for Semiconductor Industry Development, chaired the committee’s second meeting at the Government Headquarters.

Also attending were Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, the Standing Vice Chair of the Steering Committee, along with representatives from ministries, universities, and agencies across the country via live broadcast.

Opening the meeting, PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is reshaping global industries - especially semiconductors, AI, cloud computing, and IoT. These are fast-growing fields shaping national competitiveness, and Vietnam must not be left behind.

The global semiconductor industry has a long history, with a complex, multinational supply and production chain spanning multiple sectors. Every nation is striving for autonomy - especially in chip design and production - given semiconductors’ critical role in development and security. Vietnam, too, must take this path.

Domestically, Vietnam is implementing various programs and policies - such as Resolution 57-NQ/TW by the Politburo and others from the National Assembly and Government - focused on innovation, digital transformation, and semiconductor research, training, infrastructure, and institutional development.

At the previous committee meeting, strategic plans were approved, including the National Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030 with vision to 2050, and the Semiconductor Human Resources Development Program.

Vietnam has made progress under these strategies. However, PM Chinh acknowledged the country still faces major challenges and bottlenecks in semiconductor development.

He emphasized that to safeguard national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity - while improving citizens’ well-being - Vietnam must boost labor productivity and efficiently tap domestic resources, especially human capital.

All AI and digital initiatives depend heavily on semiconductors. To advance quickly, leapfrog and lead, Vietnam must succeed in chip design and production.

The Prime Minister called on delegates to frankly assess what has and hasn't been achieved, identify causes, draw lessons, and map out practical paths forward. “Though we’re starting late, can we finish ahead? How do we get there?” he asked.

Human resources, infrastructure, and financial investment are critical. He stressed the need for cohesive collaboration between the state, academia, and industry. “We cannot be fragmented or isolated. If you want to go far, go together.”

PM Chinh also proposed integrating semiconductor studies into education curricula, beginning in schools. He asked participants to make focused, actionable suggestions, with clear responsibilities, goals, and timelines.

“This is both a strategic and immediate mission. We must ‘think big, look far, act decisively,’” he said.

He urged the creation of a breakthrough in Vietnam’s semiconductor sector. What must people do? How should infrastructure be shaped? Where’s the market? What role do research centers play?

With GDP growth targeted at 8.3–8.5% this year, Vietnam’s semiconductor industry must become a driving force, building its own ecosystem.

Progress and potential

According to the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam has made significant strides in the semiconductor industry. The country is entering high-value segments such as chip design, testing, and packaging.

Vietnam now has over 50 chip design firms employing around 7,000 engineers. In packaging, testing, and equipment manufacturing, around 15 firms employ about 6,000 engineers - plus 10,000 additional technicians.

Vietnam has also begun manufacturing key components like semiconductor wafers, with Coherent producing wafers domestically. Major tech players like FPT have developed medical chips, Viettel has created 5G chips, and CT Group has broken ground on a chip packaging and testing facility.

Looking forward, Viettel is set to lead Vietnam’s first domestic chip manufacturing plant, and global players like Samsung are exploring advanced packaging investments in the country.

Vietnam’s rapid progress also stems from strong international partnerships. It has developed cooperative programs with the US, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, France, the Netherlands, UK, Austria, and global tech firms like Samsung, Apple, Google, Meta, Coherent, Foxconn, Microsoft, Marvell, Qorvo, SEMI, and the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

Vietnam is now seen as a promising semiconductor hub. It’s one of roughly 10 countries selected to host exhibitions in the SemiExpo global series - set for November 2025 in Vietnam, under the leadership of SEMI and the National Innovation Center (NIC).

Vietnam has also been selected by GITEX (UAE’s leading event organizer) to host a major international innovation expo in 2026. It has become a regular participant at SEMICON events in Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia, showcasing its “Make-in-Vietnam” ecosystem with government, academic, and industry representatives.

A symbolic milestone is the decision by global tech giants NVIDIA and Qualcomm to establish strategic R&D and production bases in Vietnam. Their investment confirms confidence in Vietnam’s tech future and strengthens its position on the global semiconductor map.

Vietnam is also working with the US to restart the ITSI Fund and enhance capacity across all semiconductor stages, particularly in design and manufacturing. Japan supports Vietnam through the ASEAN-Japan STI Project, aiming to train 250 PhDs in semiconductors by 2030. South Korea is backing the creation of a Semiconductor Research Fund, and Taiwan (China) is offering full scholarships in chip studies via the Intense Program and NIC.

European partners such as the Netherlands, France, Italy, the UK, and Austria are also engaged in bilateral forums and delegations to build connections and promote joint ventures.

PV