The delegation included representatives of US technology firms which invest and business in Vietnam, namely Intel, Qualcomm, Infineon and Sypnosys.

At the meeting, Hung said Vietnamese like to study mathematics and subjects related to science and technology. The passion for STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects is a part of Vietnamese people’s DNA. The qualities of Vietnamese people are suitable to the semiconductor industry development.

According to the Authority of ICT Industry, Vietnam has about 6,000 workers in chip designing and 85 percent are working for foreign companies.

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has been assigned by the Prime Minister to build a national strategy on semiconductor industry development. Vietnam aims to generate more jobs and increase technology mastery in the field of microchip development.

Neuffer said SIA appreciates the efforts by MIC in drafting the national strategy on semiconductor industry development.

“When I read at the draft, I saw that it was a very clear and unambiguous strategy. We are impressed by Vietnam's enthusiasm and commitment in pursuing the semiconductor industry,” Neuffer said.

He said that the world’s semiconductor industry has been developing rapidly and the process is associated with the shifting of the centers in the semiconductor industry value chain. The country needs to grasp the opportunity to join the world’s semiconductor industry.

Neuffer also mentioned the lack of workforce for the global semiconductor industry. SIA has estimated that if human resources cannot be developed, the US may face a serious shortage of workers for the industry. 

Meanwhile, Vietnam has many university students majoring in ICT, which could be a source for the global semiconductor industry.

In the field of semiconductor, research and development account for a large proportion of total investment value.

Neuffer believes that the government of Vietnam needs to support universities and encourage them to make bigger investment in research and development, thus providing more talented people for the national economy.

“The Vietnamese Prime Minister and businesses all are excited about developing the semiconductor industry. This, plus the Vietnamese 'gene' for passion for STEM subjects, is likely to become a foundation for the Vietnam-US relationship,” Hung said.

Van Anh