Bac Ninh: An Emerging hub for the semiconductor industry

Bac Ninh: Northern Vietnam’s leading electronics, semiconductor and AI hub

The semiconductor industry is widely regarded as the backbone of the digital economy—a strategic sector that underpins national competitiveness in the digital era. Recognizing this global trend, Bac Ninh has proactively embraced high technology as the core driver of its economic growth.

As Vietnam’s sixth-largest economy, the province recorded a GRDP growth rate of 10.56% in the first six months of 2026. Its investment performance has been equally impressive. To date, Bac Ninh has attracted more than 3,640 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with total registered capital exceeding US$50.8 billion from 42 countries and territories.

Global corporations such as Samsung, Canon, Foxconn, Goertek, and Luxshare-ICT have established a strong industrial foundation, helping the province achieve an industrial production value of approximately VND 1.6 quadrillion. Bac Ninh has firmly established itself as one of Vietnam’s most advanced manufacturing and high-tech industrial centers.

A defining milestone in Bac Ninh’s integration into the global semiconductor value chain came with the arrival of Amkor Technology. The company’s inauguration of its US$1.6 billion OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility at Yen Phong II-C Industrial Park marked a new chapter in the province’s industrial development and significantly elevated its position in the global semiconductor ecosystem.

Other major semiconductor investors, including Hana Micron Vina (with an investment exceeding US$600 million), Micro Commercial Components (US$90 million), Si Flex (US$299 million), and Victory Giant Technology (which is investing more than US$800 million in a high-precision printed circuit board manufacturing project) are collectively shaping a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem in Bac Ninh. Meanwhile, Foxconn and Goertek, both key suppliers to Apple in Vietnam, continue to expand their investments and manufacturing capacity, demonstrating that Bac Ninh’s electronics industry has reached a scale capable of driving robust growth across the semiconductor sector.

The “Two Less, Three More, Four Ready, One No” investment philosophy

Bac Ninh’s growing appeal is no coincidence. To become a preferred destination for multinational corporations, the provincial government has consistently implemented a rigorous yet compelling investment attraction strategy.

The province's "Two Less" principle emphasizes less land use and less reliance on low-skilled labor. Complementing this are the "Three More" criteria: higher FDI investment value, higher technological content, and higher economic efficiency.

Bac Ninh also commits to the "Four Ready" approach: ready industrial sites, ready high-quality human resources, ready incentive policies, and ready government support to resolve business challenges. Finally, the "One No" principle reflects the province’s firm commitment to environmental sustainability, no environmental pollution.

Guided by the philosophy of "placing existing businesses at the center of development," the provincial government regularly engages in dialogue with enterprises, accelerates digital transformation, and promotes transparent planning. Industrial infrastructure continues to expand, with 39 industrial parks covering more than 11,600 hectares. The province is also investing in an integrated transport network connected to the Hanoi–Bac Giang–Lang Son Expressway, Ring Road No. 4, and the future Gia Binh International Airport.

Addressing the talent challenge: From skills shortage to pioneering policies

Despite its tremendous opportunities, Vietnam’s semiconductor industry, and Bac Ninh in particular, faces its greatest challenge: the shortage of highly qualified talent.

The province is currently home to around 50 semiconductor and semiconductor-related projects. By 2030, Bac Ninh estimates that its semiconductor and AI industries will require approximately 40,000 skilled workers to sustain an annual production value growth rate of 30%. However, only around 12–15% of technical employees in FDI enterprises currently possess university or college degrees directly relevant to semiconductor-related fields. As a result, many multinational corporations still rely on foreign experts to operate advanced production lines.

To address this challenge, Bac Ninh became the first locality in Vietnam to issue a dedicated Provincial People's Council Resolution (Resolution No. 05/2024/NQ-HĐND), introducing policies to support talent development, recruitment, and retention for the semiconductor industry and the digital economy.

Under the Resolution, the province offers financial incentives to lecturers who commit to working for at least ten years at public educational institutions. Specifically, male professors receive VND 200 million and female professors VND 220 million; male associate professors receive VND 140 million and female associate professors VND 160 million; male PhD holders receive VND 100 million and female PhD holders VND 120 million; while male master's degree holders specializing in semiconductors receive VND 80 million and female counterparts receive VND 100 million.

To attract leading experts from outside the province, Bac Ninh also provides housing support of up to VND 1 billion for professors, associate professors, and PhD holders relocating to work in the province. In addition, the government covers 100% of tuition fees and learning materials for public-school lecturers participating in short-term domestic and overseas training or conversion programs in semiconductor-related disciplines.

"Joining the global semiconductor race presents unprecedented opportunities for socio-economic growth. Bac Ninh considers investment in workforce development and talent training a strategic priority and the decisive factor in maximizing opportunities for technology cooperation and transfer."

The province possesses considerable advantages for developing a world-class semiconductor workforce. Several major universities are planning or constructing campuses in Bac Ninh, including the Foreign Trade University (Campus 2), Hanoi University of Pharmacy (Campus 2), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Campus 2), the University of Medicine, the University of Natural Resources and Environment, the University of Law, the Aviation Academy, and the University of Culture. These institutions are expected to strengthen industry-oriented education in close collaboration with businesses.

Furthermore, the province's 2021–2030 development strategy clearly identifies the semiconductor and electronics industries as strategic pillars, supported by preferential investment policies, modern infrastructure, and substantial capital investment.

Vision 2050: Building a comprehensive semiconductor and AI ecosystem

Bac Ninh's ambition extends well beyond semiconductor assembly and testing. The province aims to move up the global semiconductor value chain by establishing a Semiconductor and AI Innovation Research Center in close collaboration with FPT Corporation and the National Innovation Center (NIC).

Under its long-term development plan, Bac Ninh will simultaneously develop high-tech parks, innovation centers, research and development (R&D) facilities, AI centers, Big Data and IoT hubs, as well as modern logistics centers and inland container depots (ICDs) connected to Gia Binh International Airport. These investments will enable the province not only to attract advanced manufacturing projects but also to become a center for research, innovation, and mastery of core technologies across the global value chain.

As Bac Ninh works toward becoming a centrally governed city, it is reshaping its development model around smart, green, and modern industrial zones, with priority given to electronics, semiconductors, digital industries, and high technology.

The province also plans to establish specialized industrial clusters. Yen Phong–Que Vo–Viet Yen will focus on electronics manufacturing and logistics; Gia Binh will develop high-tech industries integrated with logistics and aviation services; Lang Giang–Luc Nam will specialize in green manufacturing and supporting industries; while Hiep Hoa–Tan Yen–Yen The will promote clean industries alongside high-tech agriculture.

With its forward-looking strategy, strong commitment to supporting businesses, and groundbreaking policies for attracting and nurturing talent, Bac Ninh possesses both the vision and the capacity to realize its ambition of becoming a leading high-tech, semiconductor, and artificial intelligence hub in Southeast Asia