Deputy PM Chairs Meeting as Vietnam Hits $16B in Semiconductor Investment

Vietnam Strengthens Position in Global Chip Value Chain

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung chaired the inaugural 2026 meeting of the National Steering Committee on Semiconductor Industry Development in Hanoi on March 10. The session focused on Vietnam's emergence as a vital link in the global electronics supply chain and the rapid progress of the national semiconductor strategy. This meeting follows the approval of a comprehensive roadmap aimed at making Vietnam a premier destination for high-tech manufacturing by 2030. Foreign direct investment in the semiconductor sector has reached nearly $16 billion across 228 active projects, according to Bao Quoc Te. South Korean investors contribute the largest share at over 45 percent, followed by the Netherlands and Singapore. Ho Chi Minh City continues to lead the country as the primary hub for these projects, hosting 53 individual investments.

Targeting AI and Future Demand

A significant portion of this capital is being directed toward the burgeoning demand for Artificial Intelligence and memory chips. The committee noted that global semiconductor revenue is projected to hit $975 billion in 2026, largely driven by AI innovations. Vietnam intends to capture this growth through its specialized framework, which focuses on developing application-specific integrated circuits and advanced electronics foundations. Domestic technology giants are also making substantial strides alongside foreign investors. Viettel Group recently broke ground on a 27-hectare chip manufacturing plant in Hanoi, marking the country's first major step into domestic fabrication. This facility is designed to serve high-tech sectors including aerospace, telecommunications, and automotive manufacturing, reducing reliance on external production.

Addressing Infrastructure and Talent Gaps

Despite the influx of capital, Deputy PM Dung highlighted persistent challenges regarding high-quality human resources and infrastructure. The national strategy aims to train 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030 to address these bottlenecks. Currently, 166 universities across the country offer training in semiconductor-related disciplines to build a sustainable local workforce. To maintain momentum, the Ministry of Finance is finalizing tax incentives and financial policies to further attract global technology leaders. The government is also promoting domestic semiconductor production by supporting national manufacturing centers and chip production activities at firms like FPT and Viettel. These efforts are part of a coordinated push to deepen Vietnam's participation in the global semiconductor ecosystem.