Brian Jeffrey
Attracting semiconductor experts to Vietnam involves more than just competitive salaries; it necessitates a conducive living environment and a robust development framework.
During the conference titled “Developing Human Resources for the Semiconductor Industry” on April 24, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underscored that training the workforce is one of the five critical components for the growth of Vietnam’s semiconductor industry. The other four elements include infrastructure enhancement, regulatory reforms, resource mobilization, and fostering a supportive ecosystem.
Nonetheless, Vietnam faces substantial obstacles in workforce training that call for collaboration among “the three houses” — the government, educational institutions, and the private sector. The Ministry of Finance and the Vietnam Innovation Center (NIC) are working to connect local and global stakeholders to implement the National Semiconductor Workforce Development Program, aiming for completion by 2030, with future visions extending to 2050. This initiative aspires to educate at least 50,000 university-level experts, train 1,300 specialized instructors, and set up over 20 national laboratories dedicated to training and research by 2030.
While many instructors possess academic qualifications, they often lack practical exposure, lab resources, and active projects. Semiconductor training should be closely aligned with industry needs. In various countries, professors are encouraged to participate in corporate projects to incorporate real-world experience into their teachings.
NIC is advocating for short-term training (3 to 6 months) for educators in collaboration with global semiconductor firms like Nvidia and Qualcomm. These opportunities keep instructors updated and may even allow them to work within multinational corporations.
For students, collaborative educational programs with international institutions—such as 2+2 or 3+1 formats—present cost-effective alternatives. These arrangements enable students to spend a portion of their studies in Vietnam and the remainder abroad, gaining access to advanced facilities, practical training, and international faculty. This exposure significantly increases their employability, especially in regions like Taiwan (China), which, despite its strong semiconductor education framework, faces workforce shortages.
NIC is actively creating connections between Vietnamese higher education institutions and markets like the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to fulfill talent development requirements.
Recently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved a list of 11 strategic technology categories and 32 key product groups.
In addition to education, NIC is urging companies like Cadence and Synopsys to provide chip design tools to educational institutions, as individual requests often encounter obstacles.
This approach is being implemented at the Da Nang Semiconductor and AI Center (DSAC). Director Le Hoang Phuc discussed initiatives that link universities with businesses to cultivate future lecturers, offer student scholarships, and provide real-world work experiences.
After cultivating talent, a significant issue remains: retention. Do Tien Thinh pointed out that professionals consider factors beyond salary or housing; a thriving ecosystem featuring good living conditions and robust public services is vital. He remarked that some international specialists are hesitant to relocate to Hanoi due to air quality concerns.
“Developed countries emphasize creating supportive environments to attract and keep talent,” he stated.
Le Hoang Phuc echoed this sentiment, drawing from his experiences in the development of Da Nang’s semiconductor sector. He stressed that, in addition to tax incentives and infrastructure readiness, lifestyle considerations play a crucial role.
“Da Nang is recognized as Vietnam’s most livable city, providing an excellent work-life balance, which is a significant attraction for talent,” Phuc noted.
