Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – The investment boom in AI, data centres, and electric vehicles is fueling demand for chips, opening doors for Vietnam to expand its presence in the semiconductor industry.
Opportunities from global supply chains
FedEx’s report, “From AI to EVs: How APAC Semiconductors Drive the Global Innovation Map,” highlights how APAC has become the centre of the global semiconductor ecosystem, accounting for approximately 58% of global semiconductor industry revenue.
Vietnam is benefiting from manufacturing shifts thanks to its electronics industry, regional trade links and competitively priced workforce. According to the report, Vietnam’s semiconductor exports grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.8% between 2006 and 2025, while semiconductor imports grew by 30% over the same period. Vietnam exported 32.4 billion USD in integrated circuits in 2023, underscoring its growing participation in regional and global semiconductor trade.
“Vietnam is becoming an increasingly important part of APAC’s semiconductor ecosystem, as more semiconductor and high-tech companies expand their presence in the country,” said Ee-Hui Tan, Managing Director of FedEx Vietnam and Cambodia.
By late 2025, Vietnam had around 170 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in semiconductors, with registered capital nearing 11.6 billion USD, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology. The presence of Samsung, Intel, MediaTek, and other technology groups offers opportunities to access technologies, manufacturing processes, and international customer networks. Meanwhile, the electronics components market is forecast to reach 145 billion USD by the end of 2026.
However, rising investment and exports do not necessarily translate into domestic mastery of high-value stages of the semiconductor chain. FDI spillovers depend on local firms’ supply-chain participation, technology absorption and capacity to develop technically advanced products and services.
At the recent Vietnam Innovation Summit 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, Thomas Pang, acting CEO of Neuron Digital Group, noted that Vietnam’s semiconductor activities remained concentrated in design, packaging and testing. Upstream activities, including materials, equipment and wafer fabrication, remained limited, while advanced downstream applications and system integration are still developing.
Choosing priorities and strengthening foundations
Under Vietnam’s semiconductor industry development strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, the country aims to participate in all stages of the global value chain, from design and fabrication to packaging and testing. Achieving this goal requires clear priorities and effective resource allocation.
Pang said Vietnam should build on existing strengths and develop specialised capabilities rather than spread resources too thinly. Since semiconductor investments usually span five to ten-year time horizons, having stable, predictable policies and smooth coordination between agencies is crucial. He recommended looking into Singapore’s Economic Development Board model, which brings together relevant agencies to promote and support investments.
Digital infrastructure is another key requirement. Advanced manufacturing generates vast amounts of data on energy, equipment, environmental conditions and logistics. AI, digital twins and real-time data can support simulation, monitoring and production optimisation, improving efficiency and reducing operating costs.
Vietnam has advantages in geographical location, political stability, a young workforce and policymakers’ attention, Pang said. He went on to say that what the country needs now is ecosystem depth, built through a consistent strategy, coordinated governance and smart infrastructure.
Calvin Yong, Regional Director for Southeast Asia, India and Oceania at Yole Group, said Vietnam needed to address domestic supply shortages, fabrication capabilities and manufacturing management experience.
Most suppliers serving Vietnam’s semiconductor industry are foreign-owned, while many inputs are imported. This underscores the need to develop domestic supply networks to help Vietnamese companies gradually integrate more deeply into the production chains of international corporations.
Developing fabrication capabilities could bridge chip design and commercial production, but requires substantial capital, advanced technology and experienced personnel. Investment decisions should therefore reflect market demand and the country’s actual capabilities.
Yong also highlighted shortages of professionals experienced in factory operations, production management and advanced packaging. Beyond engineering education, Vietnam needs experienced specialists, stronger international cooperation and opportunities for local workers to gain hands-on experience.
As global semiconductor supply chains are restructured, experts said Vietnam’s opportunity lies not only in attracting projects but also in accumulating knowledge, technology and management expertise to move into higher-value activities./.
VNA