Vietnam is focusing on cultivating a highly skilled workforce to position itself as a leader in the global semiconductor industry. According to Intel Vietnam’s Country Manager, Phung Viet Thang, the sector demands exceptional talent, and investing in high-quality human resources could enable Vietnam to lead or become part of the leadership group in the global semiconductor landscape.

Ambitious goals for 2030 and beyond

Under the "Human Resource Development Program for the Semiconductor Industry to 2030, Vision to 2050," Vietnam aims to have at least 50,000 university-level professionals across all stages of the semiconductor value chain by 2030.

Nguyen Khac Lich, Director of the Information Technology and Communications Industry Authority (Ministry of Information and Communications), emphasized that human capital is pivotal to the strategy. Speaking at the seminar “Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy: A New Driver for Vietnam and Hanoi” on December 3, Lich stated, “People are the key of the key.”

Currently, Vietnam has approximately 6,000 semiconductor engineers. Lich noted that this number can grow through reskilling and upskilling workers from related fields, leveraging the country's strengths in STEM, mathematics, and natural sciences.

Localized initiatives in talent development

Le Hoang Phuc, Director of Da Nang’s Semiconductor Research and Training Center (DSAC), highlighted the city's proactive efforts. Through a strategic partnership with Synopsys, a leading semiconductor corporation, Da Nang has engaged with major investors such as Nvidia and Marvell.

A key policy, Resolution 136, passed by the National Assembly on June 26, includes a pilot program waiving personal income taxes for five years for engineers and managers working directly in semiconductor and AI fields. “This is a significant incentive to attract talent and experts to Da Nang,” said Phuc.

Additionally, Da Nang has established a training alliance between DSAC and top universities nationwide. This collaboration is tailored to meet specific workforce demands from businesses, ensuring trained personnel transition seamlessly into the industry.

National and international collaboration

Vo Xuan Hoai, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center (NIC), outlined three key priorities:

Short-term training to transition engineers from related fields into semiconductors.
International partnerships with the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to train instructors.
Nationally shared and standardized laboratory systems at universities with established strengths in semiconductors.

Chu Duc Trinh, Rector of the University of Engineering and Technology at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, emphasized a systematic and long-term approach to education.

"We must train individuals who can immediately contribute to the labor market and remain motivated and skilled throughout their careers," he said, cautioning against burnout or early career stagnation.

Trinh also stressed the need for advanced education, advocating for the development of master’s and doctoral programs to produce experts capable of driving innovation decades ahead of the market.

Industry perspective and strategic focus

Intel’s Phung Viet Thang suggested segmenting human resources into general and elite categories. While undergraduate education is foundational, fostering excellence through advanced degrees and specialized training is crucial. Thang advocated for focusing on high-priority industries and long-term talent investment, envisioning a 20- to 30-year timeline.

“With such an investment in human capital, we can lead or join the leadership ranks in the global semiconductor industry. That is the ultimate goal of national development,” Thang concluded.

Du Lam