Vietnam and Singapore expand opportunities for semiconductor industry development
Amidst the growing demand for semiconductor chips, Vietnam and Singapore are strengthening cooperation in investment, research, human resource training, and the development of a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem.
On 21 July 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Trung Software Park (QTSC), in collaboration with the Vietnamese Trade Office in Singapore, organized the Vietnam-Singapore Semiconductor Industry Cooperation Forum 2026. The forum aimed to connect government agencies, businesses, associations, and universities to discuss policies and mechanisms to promote the development of the semiconductor industry in Vietnam.
The semiconductor industry is currently considered a driving force for many strategic technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, data centers, 5G/6G networks, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The report "Semiconductor Market in Vietnam 2026-2030" by Research and Markets forecasts that the Vietnamese semiconductor market will grow by an additional US$2.22 billion between 2025 and 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.1%.
Currently, Vietnam has attracted many leading global semiconductor corporations such as Marvell, Renesas, Infineon, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and Hana Micron to invest in integrated circuit design, packaging, and chip testing.
According to Mr. Cao Xuan Thang, Vietnam's Commercial Counselor in Singapore, Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for investors thanks to its stable political environment, young workforce, rapid technology adoption, and many policies prioritizing high-tech development.
In addition, Mr. Cao Xuan Thang stated that Vietnam has issued a Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, along with many programs to develop human resources, research, innovation, and attract international investment.
Economic relations between Vietnam and Singapore are also developing strongly. Singapore currently has more than 4,500 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of over US$84 billion. Bilateral trade turnover increased from approximately S$27 billion in 2021 to nearly S$40 billion in 2025; in the first five months of 2026 alone, it reached S$23.3 billion, an increase of more than 43% compared to the same period last year.
According to Mr. Cao Xuan Thang, many Singaporean businesses are looking for partners in Vietnam for long-term development in the fields of integrated circuit design, chip packaging and testing, research and development (R&D), human resource training, and regional supply chain development.
The Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore will continue to coordinate with QTSC, the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA), and other partners to strengthen business connections, promote investment, and expand cooperation.
From a local perspective, Mr. Ly Minh Tuan, Head of the Digital Economy - Digital Society Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, said that the city currently leads the country in attracting foreign investment in the semiconductor sector with 54 projects and a total registered capital of over US$5.1 billion. Ho Chi Minh City's semiconductor ecosystem already has the presence of many large technology corporations in the research, design, packaging, and testing of chips.
To meet the industry's development needs, Ho Chi Minh City aims to train at least 9,000 university-level or higher-level personnel for the semiconductor sector by 2030. In 2026 alone, the city plans to recruit 3,000 engineers, 300 master's degree holders, and 40 doctoral degree holders. Simultaneously, the city is researching the establishment of a $5 million Human Resource Development Fund for integrated circuit design, aimed at providing scholarships, supporting advanced training, and enhancing the skills of its engineering workforce.
Ho Chi Minh City will also implement various preferential policies to attract high-quality personnel, such as scholarships for semiconductor students, a five-year personal income tax exemption for experts and scientists working in the High-Tech Park and semiconductor startups, and a system of salaries and bonuses exceeding the standard rates for leading experts.
According to Mr. Tran Huu Dung, Director of QTSC, with the advantage of concentrating many universities, research institutes, and technology training facilities, QTSC is building an ecosystem for training, practice, and developing high-quality human resources, accompanying businesses from training and internships to recruitment to meet the growing needs of the semiconductor industry.
At the forum, QTSC and the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in promoting business connectivity, research and development, technology transfer, human resource training, and expanding international cooperation. Simultaneously, SSIA also signed agreements with relevant organizations to develop a high-quality team of engineers and experts, contributing to building a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem and enhancing Vietnam's and the region's competitiveness./.
Copyright belongs to the Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology (VJST-MOST)
