Vietnam, US cooperate to launch semiconductor industry development program

In Hanoi, the Semiconductor Human Resource Development and Public Policy workshop was held jointly organized by Arizona State University (ASU) with the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the National Innovation Center (NIC), the US Department of State and the US Embassy in Vietnam, to identify Vietnam's strengths and challenges in the semiconductor sector and develop action plans to enhance its capabilities.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that this announcement ceremony is a practical and meaningful activity to celebrate the first anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development between Vietnam and the United States. This is also an important milestone in the roadmap for implementing the project "Developing human resources for the semiconductor industry to 2030, with a vision to 2050" that the Ministry of Planning and Investment has researched, developed and submitted to the Prime Minister.

"In addition to cooperation activities in training and human resource development, Vietnam and the United States have agreed to make innovation and high technology, especially the semiconductor industry, an important pillar in the bilateral cooperation relationship," Minister Nguyen Chi Dung stated.

The announcement ceremony not only marks the beginning of a new training program with international standards on packaging and testing of microchips for lecturers and students of universities in Vietnam, but also an important step in the journey of gradually mastering technology of Vietnamese people in the semiconductor industry - an important solution to promote the breakthrough in the value of Vietnamese people in the socio-economic development strategy.

Expressing his sincere thanks to the US Government and all partners who have contributed to the success of this initiative, Minister Nguyen Chi Dung called for the cooperation of businesses, research institutes, and universities of the US and Vietnam: "Let's seize this opportunity with great determination. Let's join hands to create a favorable environment for innovation, including the semiconductor industry, where bold ideas are nurtured and Vietnam's policies in developing the semiconductor industry are realized. The presence and full participation of the ecosystem's actors in today's program clearly shows that: "If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together".

At the event, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper also emphasized the importance of the program in connecting US and Vietnamese organizations, saying: "The United States is proud to invest in Vietnam's future through workforce development programs that create lasting partnerships. Together, we are building relationships between organizations that will shape the semiconductor industry for years to come."

Established under the US CHIPS Act of 2022, the ITSI Fund is designed to enhance semiconductor capacity and the resilience of the semiconductor supply chain worldwide.

Vietnam is one of eight strategic countries selected for this initiative, along with Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Indonesia, the Philippines, Kenya and India. The US Department of State has awarded Arizona State University $13.8 million to promote talent development and develop public policy recommendations in these countries.

“This partnership opens up tremendous opportunities for Vietnamese students and professionals to gain advanced skills in semiconductor technology. ASU is honored to support Vietnam’s journey towards becoming a key player in this transformative industry,” said Jeffrey Goss, principal investigator of the ITSI Program at ASU.

Some pictures at the event: