Vietnam - The choice of high-tech investors

Many technology corporations have made their mark on investment activities in Vietnam. Photo: provided by enterprise

Many development opportunities

In the context of common difficulties, attracting FDI has become a bright spot in the economic picture in 2023. Statistics from the Ministry of Planning and Investment show that, in the past year, FDI investment capital into our country reached a record high. with 36.6 billion USD, ranked 3rd in terms of registered capital in the period 2008 - 2023.

Foreign capital is predicted by experts to continue to flow heavily into Vietnam, especially in the field of semiconductor chips, high technology, and high-value-added products. Global research department - HSBC Bank commented that Vietnam belongs to the group of 3 countries (along with Singapore and Malaysia) that excel in ASEAN in attracting FDI into the technology sector. Despite the trade downturn, this trend brings hope for recovery for Vietnam as the economic cycle changes. Many technology corporations have made their mark on investment activities in Vietnam.

Also according to HSBC, half of Samsung's smartphone output globally comes from Vietnam. This has encouraged other technology "giants", especially Apple, to expand operations in Vietnam. Currently, Apple has a number of products manufactured in Vietnam, such as Macbooks, iPads, and Apple Watches, attracting thousands of local workers.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Department (Ministry of Planning and Investment) said that currently, many investors choose Vietnam to become an investment destination for high-tech industries, including the semiconductor industry. This is a very important starting point to contribute to realizing the Government's strategic goal, making the semiconductor industry one of the industries creating breakthroughs for growth.

As evidence, in the past year, semiconductor factories have been continuously established. Recently, the second largest semiconductor factory in the North of Amkor Group in Yen Phong 2 industrial park (Bac Ninh) went into operation. The monocrystalline silicon bar and semiconductor disk factory project of Runergy PV Technology Co., Ltd. (Thailand) has a total investment of 440 million USD in Hoang Mai I industrial park (Nghe An) and is expected to go into operation in June 2025.

The Dutch company BE Semiconductor Industries N.V (BESI) was awarded an investment certificate by the management board of Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Park on November 2, 2023. In the first phase, the project will be invested with a capital of more than 115 billion VND (equivalent to 4.9 million USD), with an operating term of 50 years. It is expected that the investor will install equipment, recruit workers in 2024 and operate in the first quarter of 2025.

At the end of October 2023, Vietnam's semiconductor network went into operation, gradually realizing the development orientation of the semiconductor industry, making Vietnam a trusted partner in the semiconductor ecosystem. region and the whole world. Thereby enhancing Vietnam's position in the global value chain and modernizing the economy.

Solve the problem of human resource shortage

But according to experts, in order to retain these large technology corporations, in addition to maintaining macroeconomic stability and appropriate preferential tax, fee and land policies, Vietnam needs to prepare synchronously for infrastructure. Technical floors of industrial parks, factories, electricity, water, social infrastructure, especially high quality domestic human resources.

Recently, in the last days of 2023, the Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park (SHTP) signed a cooperation agreement with Ansys Company (USA) on developing human resources in the semiconductor chip industry in Vietnam. Male. This cooperation has made a great contribution to improving the operational capacity of the Electronics and Semiconductor Circuit Training Center (ESC), contributing to the development of the semiconductor IC industry for Ho Chi Minh City and the growth of Vietnam. Vietnam economy.

According to Mr. Rafiq Somani, Vice President, Ansys Indian Ocean and South Asia, Ansys software line including RedHawk, Sherlock, HFSS, Power Artist offers unique capabilities to help electronics and semiconductor companies , researchers and students accelerate the design and innovation process for next-generation high-tech products. This software is used by many of the world's leading companies and universities to enhance the capabilities of high-tech products. Leading software in simulation and design and Ansys' global expertise in this field will help SHTP realize its goal of developing simulation skills and design capabilities for high-tech industries.

Mr. John Neuffer, President and CEO of the American Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), said that US semiconductor industry enterprises are operating strongly in the southern region of Vietnam. The supply chain of the semiconductor industry is not only concentrated domestically but must be established and linked with other countries, including Vietnam. Having a good mechanism to attract and encourage investment along with a good response in human resources are important conditions and factors for US businesses to consider and choose to invest in their supply chain.

Mr. John Neuffer said that on the map of the world semiconductor industry, Vietnam now has a position in testing, packaging as well as back-end design. In the coming time, Vietnam can promote the development of other stages in the semiconductor chip supply chain, in which focusing on investment in the design stage will have more advantages.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam has developed a human resources development project with the goal of forming a team of 50,000 engineers for the semiconductor industry by 2030. At the same time, it has built many incentive mechanisms. Attractive investment for companies and corporations in the semiconductor industry. Investment projects in the semiconductor industry in the high-tech sector are given the highest incentives within the framework of Vietnamese law.