Vietnam to Prioritize Chip Design, Talent Development Amidst AI, Digital Transformation Push

Vietnam's semiconductor ecosystem now comprises around 60 chip design companies, some 7,000 chip design engineers and 166 universities offering semiconductor-related training programmes. Initial registrations from 12 organisations indicate demand for the prototyping of approximately 30,000 chips. The plant, developed by Viettel Group in line with the mission assigned by the Ministry of Defence and based on the government’s resolution, is located on a 27-hectare site within the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park and is expected to serve national industries such as aerospace, telecommunications, Internet of Things (IoT), automotive manufacturing, medical equipment, and automation. Israeli businesses and experts introduced a wide range of technologies and solutions for sustainable agricultural development, including smart irrigation systems, greenhouse technologies, crop varieties, microbial technologies, post-harvest solutions, aquaculture technologies, and digital transformation in agriculture. Speaking at the event, VSEC Chairman Truong Duc Luong said this was the second time BSides has been held in Hanoi, continuing to attract strong interest from the cybersecurity community. BSides Hanoi 2026 was designed as a platform connecting Vietnam’s cybersecurity community with international networks, encouraging knowledge sharing and contributing to the sustainable development of the cybersecurity ecosystem. Nguyen Cao Thang, Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology, said the city is accelerating its development strategy based on science, technology and innovation in line with the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW. The WB report identifies Vietnam as one of the few economies outside the European Union (EU) to have adopted a comprehensive AI regulatory framework as early as 2025. Vietnam applies a risk-tiered approach similar to that of the EU AI Act, imposing different obligations depending on whether an AI system poses “unacceptable,” “high,” “low” or “minimal” risks. The approach is viewed as a strategic step towards ensuring safe and transparent AI governance. As digital transformation becomes a key growth driver, the construction sector has come under increasing pressure to modernise its management model to keep pace with the rapid expansion of transport infrastructure, urbanisation and the real estate market. NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong said alongside foreign investment and the green economy, science – technology, innovation, the digital economy and digital transformation are the new drivers that can can pack a serious second-half punch. A recent meeting of the Central Steering Committee on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, chaired by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, marked a new phase in implementing Resolution 57 following the committee’s restructuring. According to Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham Hoang Son, the province will pursue a people-centred smart city model driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to improve public services, urban management and competitiveness. Under the agreement, the two sides will share expertise on trade promotion and digital tools, coordinate programmes supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and jointly organise promotional and communication activities. Dr Nguyen Van Minh, Founding Head, Hardware-Efficient AI & AI-Native Wireless, at Huawei’s Research Centre in France, suggested that Vietnam shift its focus from strategic planning to implementation. Vietnam has so far deployed more than 40,000 5G base transceiver stations (BTSs), providing coverage for about 92% of the population, making it one of the world's fastest countries in this regard. By comparison, many advanced economies typically take two to three years to extend 5G coverage to more than 80% of their populations. July marked an important milestone in the country's digital transformation journey, with a series of new policies, strategies and technical standards introduced to support the Law on Digital Transformation and speed up implementation nationwide. Chairman of the Hung Yen provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen said the proposed high-tech park will cover about 496.1 hectares in Hoan Long and Viet Yen communes. The location is expected to attract high-quality talent and innovation resources from Hanoi while strengthening production and logistics links across the Northern Key Economic Region, including Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Phu Tho and Ninh Binh. Vietnam's ultimate goal should not simply be to establish a presence in the semiconductor industry, but to gradually master high-value, knowledge-intensive segments of the value chain and become a key link in the global semiconductor supply chain. This would provide a launch pad for strengthening the country's competitiveness in artificial intelligence, electronics and the digital economy. Registering residence, applying for an electronic visa (e-Visa), obtaining an electronic identity account or completing administrative procedures online can now all be done conveniently in the digital environment. For many foreigners, these changes have made it easier to enter, live and work in Vietnam while also reflecting the initial results of implementing the Politburo's Resolution No. 57. Welcoming the SEMI Southeast Asia delegation, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung commended the association and its members for supporting Vietnamese ministries and agencies in advancing cooperation in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, which he described as key drivers of the country's next phase of economic growth. Vietnam is represented by students from Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Viet-Hung Industrial University and Swinburne Vietnam. They were selected from more than 800 applicants worldwide. Since July 2025, immigration authorities have processed 84,831 applications, with Republic of Korean, Chinese and Japanese nationals accounting for the largest numbers of registered users. The Vietnam Global Innovation Connect (VGIC) 2026 serves as a platform for dialogue among policymakers, enterprises, startups, investors and the global Vietnamese expert community to transform knowledge, technology and resources into practical initiatives and projects that contribute to the country's development. Held under the theme "Quantum Connectivity – Mastering Technology – Breakthrough Development", Quantum Year 2026 centres on four pillars: science, technology, education and training, and innovation ecosystem development. Dr. Ho Duc Thang, a full-time member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Cultural and Educational, said productivity is the key to sustaining double-digit economic growth, and AI has greater potential to improve productivity than any previous technology. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.