Vietnam to ramp up its semiconductor workforce
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued directives in July for two ministries, focusing on developing the semiconductor sector’s workforce.
The Ministry of Information and Communications must finalise the Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy, whilst the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) must complete the Human Resources Development Plan for the Semiconductor Industry to 2030, with a vision to 2045.
The objective of these initiatives is to have 50,000 engineers trained by the end of the decade. Currently, Vietnam has nearly 5,600 semiconductor design engineers, according to the National Science and Technology Portal. To meet market demand, the country must have 10,000 semiconductor engineers each year. At present, domestic human resources only meet half of this target.
Discussing semiconductor workforce development in Vietnam with local media, Do Thi Thuy Huong, a board member of the Vietnam Electronic Industries Association, said, « Along with design engineers, the industry urgently needs experts who, despite having only college-level education, possess strong expertise in production organisation, an area where Vietnam still lacks. Training should also be closely linked with educational institutions and businesses. If training remains too academic, it will be difficult to ensure practical skills, especially given the rapid pace of technological change. »
Vietnamese universities and educational centres are rapidly stepping up their involvement in semiconductor workforce training. According to the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam has about 35 higher education institutions directly training or closely related to the semiconductor industry. Top institutions for training graduates and engineers in the semiconductor field include Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam National University in Hanoi, and Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, Phenikaa University has announced two new semiconductor-related programmes, namely ‘Semiconductor Circuit Design’ and ‘Semiconductor Chips and Packaging Technology’.
Last year, Hanoi University of Science and Technology introduced a Microchip Design specialisation within its Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering and Microelectronics & Nanotechnology Engineering programmes.
Moreover, Vietnam has strengthened partnerships with multinational technology corporations to align workforce training with global industry standards.
Synopsys signed a partnership with Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City to develop talent in integrated circuit design in March, while in June, Phenikaa University, in collaboration with Synopsys, launched a ‘Train the Trainers’ course on semiconductor circuit design for university lecturers, engineers, and students.
Intel has also pledged support to the Danang Semiconductor and AI Research and Training Centre, committing to organise training courses for instructors in AI.
In early July, during a meeting with PM Chinh in Seoul, South Korean president pledged to support Vietnam in training semiconductor and high-tech industry personnel.
According to the MPI’s plan, the goal of training 50,000 semiconductor industry personnel includes 15,000 semiconductor circuit design engineers, 35,000 engineers in other semiconductor fields, and at least 5,000 AI specialists.
The estimated budget to achieve these goals by 2030 is about VND26 trillion ($1.08 billion), with VND17 trillion ($708 million) from the state budget and VND9 trillion ($375 million) from social sources.
Vietnam’s favourable geography, affordable labour, and open policies have made it a magnet for major semiconductor companies from the United States, Germany, China, and South Korea.
Speaking at a conference on human resources in the semiconductor industry in April, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said, « Comprehensive cooperation with the major semiconductor nations, economies, and companies is necessary to leverage Vietnam’s human resource advantages and become a significant player in the semiconductor industry. »
By Mai Anh – Vietnam Investment Review – July 15, 2024