Hanoi, November 08, 2025 – The Europe Today: Việtnam is intensifying efforts to develop a competitive and innovative semiconductor industry, setting a clearer strategic direction and expanding global partnerships, as highlighted at the SEMIExpo Vietnam 2025 held in Hanoi from November 7–8.
Organised by the National Innovation Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment in collaboration with the global semiconductor association SEMI, the event explored opportunities across the semiconductor value chain — from assembly and testing to fabless design and system-in-package solutions.
At the conference, senior policymakers and business leaders emphasised that semiconductors are not only a high-value global industry but also a strategic pillar for economic competitiveness, digital transformation, and national security.
The Vietnamese government reiterated its commitment to positioning the country as an emerging and reliable link in the global semiconductor supply chain.
Long-Term Vision for Industry Development
Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng stated that the development of Việt Nam’s semiconductor industry “is not a short-term race but a long journey of vision, courage and aspiration.” He stressed that Việt Nam aims not only to participate in global supply chains but also to create value and drive innovation in the international semiconductor ecosystem.
Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyễn Đức Tâm highlighted that semiconductors form the foundation of the digital economy and modern technology. He noted that Việt Nam already hosts around 50 enterprises in integrated circuit (IC) design employing 7,000 engineers, along with 15 companies and over 10,000 technicians engaged in packaging, testing, and device production.
These developments reflect the government’s strategic focus on building a robust semiconductor ecosystem through policy reforms, talent development, infrastructure investment, and targeted incentives.
Strategic Framework and Technological Goals
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bùi Hoàng Phương introduced a development orientation model defined as C = SET + 1, where:
- C stands for semiconductor chips,
- S represents specialised chip applications,
- E signifies electronics manufacturing, and
- T denotes talent development.
The “+1” symbolises Việt Nam’s ambition to become a safe, new, and trusted global destination for semiconductor innovation.
Phương described semiconductors as a strategic technology shaping global progress and directly contributing to economic growth. He underlined Việt Nam’s priority to advance beyond assembly and testing toward chip design, advanced electronics, and system-level integration.
Việt Nam holds several structural advantages supporting its ambitions — a strategic geographic location near major semiconductor hubs, a rapidly growing electronics sector, and hardware exports exceeding US$130 billion in 2024.
Local corporations such as Viettel and FPT have invested in IC design and established research and development centres.
Challenges and Capacity Building
Despite progress, challenges remain. The domestic talent pool requires further strengthening, as few engineering graduates receive specialised training in semiconductor physics, chip architecture, and electronic materials. Research infrastructure and specialised training programmes are still developing.
Additionally, the local supply chain remains fragmented, and domestic demand for semiconductor components is yet to reach levels sufficient to sustain an independent market. As a result, Việt Nam continues to rely on strategic partnerships with international firms to build capacity and technology transfer.
Nguyễn Cương Hoàng, Head of the Viettel Semiconductor Technology Division, noted that Việt Nam’s semiconductor approach should be practical and results-oriented, initially focusing on specialised chips with immediate applications in telecommunications and consumer electronics.
Global Partnerships and Industry Integration
The SEMIExpo Vietnam 2025 exhibition marked a milestone in Việt Nam’s integration into the global semiconductor ecosystem. The event gathered over 5,000 participants and featured nearly 200 exhibitors, including world-leading semiconductor and equipment manufacturers such as Lam Research, Coherent, Qorvo, Amkor Technology, GlobalFoundries, Applied Materials, Micron Technology, Tokyo Electron, KLA Corporation, Siemens AG, and Dassault Systèmes.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng emphasized that developing a sustainable semiconductor industry requires strategic vision, persistence, and robust cooperation between the government, industry, academia, and international partners.
With clear policy direction, growing global engagement, and strong investment in human capital and infrastructure, Việt Nam is positioning itself to emerge as a reliable and innovative semiconductor hub in Asia in the years ahead.
