At the Forum on Promoting Innovation and Strategic Technology Development, Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Director for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, introduced the '3+1' formula to shape Vietnam’s strategy for developing high-tech industries.

Sherman noted that Vietnam has numerous advantages: a young workforce, a solid economic foundation, and a strategic position in Asia’s growth corridor. What it lacks is a structured strategy to turn this potential into tangible strength.

The "3+1" formula is based on three pillars: developing and attracting talent; building an innovation ecosystem; and strengthening supply chain linkages. The "+1" factor is a strategic focus on selected technology clusters, which act as the glue binding everything together.

Regarding the first pillar, talent is the foundation. “In the semiconductor sector and other high-tech industries, the foundation of success is built on people: highly skilled workers, leading researchers, and tech entrepreneurs,” Sherman emphasized.

She noted that nearly 65 percent of Vietnam’s top tech talent currently work abroad. Vietnam needs to both improve domestic training and create favorable conditions for overseas Vietnamese intellectuals to return.

The second pillar is the innovation ecosystem. Although Vietnam ranked 44th in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 and HCMC is a dynamic hub in Southeast Asia, higher-value activities such as product design, manufacturing, and commercialization of research results are still in their early stages. 

From 2010 to 2020, Vietnam filed fewerk than 100 patents with the world’s top five intellectual property offices and almost none were in the semiconductor sector, Sherman noted.

However, this represents untapped potential. Experts suggest that increasing investment in research and development (R&D), particularly in semiconductor design labs and infrastructure, will be the key.

Breakthroughs in high technology require labs, prototyping lines, pre-commercial production facilities and advanced training centers.

The World Bank calls for the development of national semiconductor design centers equipped with world-class infrastructure, enabling universities, researchers, and startups to share access to critical resources.

These centers help accelerate innovation and provide students and scientists with hands-on experience in turning designs into reality.

The third pillar focuses on strengthening linkages between domestic firms and foreign direct investment (FDI) corporations. 

Lessons from Singapore and Ireland show that with proper policy support from the government, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can become vital links in global value chains. For Vietnam, electronics, semiconductors, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals are seen as suitable starting points.

The "+1" factor refers to focusing on selected innovation clusters, similar to how China developed the Guangzhou-Shenzhen technology corridor, Korea has the Daedeok science town, and Singapore has Fusionopolis.

According to Sherman, the Hoa Lac National Innovation Center (NIC) has the potential to become an advanced manufacturing hub within the next 10 years, integrating training, R&D, and large-scale production.

Such clusters will act as "magnets" for talent and ideas, inspiring young Vietnamese to pursue careers in science and technology and attracting global talent back to the country.

A collaborative path forward

The World Bank emphasizes that for this model to succeed, it requires a national effort, with the government, businesses, higher education institutions, research institutes, and international partners all playing essential roles.

Specifically, the government sets the vision, creates supportive policies, and provides seed funding; higher education institutions collaborate with businesses to train the workforce and conduct R&D; and international partners bring expertise and global financing.

“Investing in people is the foundation. It drives science and technology while giving businesses confidence that they will have access to the right talent at all levels, from skilled technicians and engineers to visionary scientists and leaders,” Sherman said.

The World Bank pledges to continue supporting Vietnam on this journey. A new report on talent and innovation in the semiconductor industry, released at the forum, aims to provide practical recommendations to help Vietnam achieve its goal of becoming a regional high-tech hub.

“Vietnam’s development story has always been one of resilience, aspiration, and success. The next chapter, the high-tech future Vietnam is building, is within reach. That future will become reality when we turn vision into action, starting today,” Sherman said.

Thai Khang