The Vietnamese semiconductor industry has achieved notable advancements in attracting investments and transferring technology. However, the sector is facing a host of challenges, specifically in the shortage of a skilled workforce.
According to a report, the Vietnamese workforce within the sector remains in the “red alert” category as employees who are hired still must undergo 6-12 months of advanced training to fulfil the job prerequisites.
Foreign sources account for 95% of the direct investment in semiconductor technology in Vietnam Currently, there are only about 50 semiconductor manufacturers operating nationwide, as per the Ho Chi Minh City Semiconductor Industry Association (HSIA).
At present, Vietnam has over 5,500 chip design engineers, with the majority situated in Ho Chi Minh City, making up more than 76% of the total. The semiconductor industry demands between 5,000 and 10,000 engineers annually, but the capability to fulfil this requirement is limited to approximately 20%.
Within the semiconductor production process, Vietnam places its primary focus on chip design, accounting for some 52%. The remaining phases, including production, packaging, and testing, account for the remaining 48%, and they are still in the early stages of development. Consequently, out of the 5,500 semiconductor professionals in Vietnam, the majority are predominantly concentrated on design, resulting in a substantial workforce shortage for the other stages.
Experts within the industry believe that to solve the issue, fostering strong collaboration among the government, educational institutions, and businesses is crucial. They have suggested that the government should introduce targeted policies and regulations to incentivise companies to invest in semiconductor research and development.
Furthermore, the government should establish policies that support universities in allocating resources toward the development of physical infrastructure, building a qualified workforce, and assembling expert teams dedicated to education and research in the field.
The Ministry of Education and Training was advised to promptly review and add curricula related to the semiconductor field, as well as connect foreign experts and international universities with domestic educational institutions to facilitate the training of a qualified workforce tailored to the needs of the industry.
The Ministry is also taking the lead in overseeing the advancement of two significant projects aimed at cultivating and nurturing high-quality human resources to cater to the needs of high-technology sectors. These projects put forth support and incentive policies for human resources development in STEM and high technology more broadly, encompassing areas such as electronics, semiconductors, and microchips. Additionally, they are focused on establishing research and training centres that concentrate on the fundamental technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).
Vietnam has all the necessary conditions and factors to develop this industry and the government has expressed its interest in promoting investment cooperation in this field.
Last month, it launched the Vietnam Semiconductor Innovation Network. The objective is to progressively align with the industry’s development direction, positioning Vietnam as a trusted participant in the regional and global semiconductor ecosystem. This strategic move aims to bolster the country’s standing in the global value chain and drive economic modernisation.
Vietnam’s National Innovation Centre (NIC) and three high-tech parks in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and central Da Nang City are equipped with infrastructure ready for semiconductor industry investors. They are expected to be important bridges to support the development of Vietnam’s semiconductor ecosystem.
