Vietnam, Japan step up cooperation in semiconductors
Vietnam and Japan will join hands to develop a semiconductor industry in Vietnam, as stipulated at a cooperation agreement signed between ICDREC and Japan’s Nagano science and technology fund.
Integrated Circuit research and design at the ICDREC (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - Vietnam and Japan will join hands to develop a semiconductor industry in Vietnam, as stipulated at a cooper൲ation agreement signed between the Integrated Circuit Design Research & Education Centre (ICDREC) under Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, and Japan’s Nagano science and tecꦗhnology fund on January 19.
Accordingly, they will cooperate to design and manufacture integrated circuits while providing human resources training in the semiconductor sector, and exchanging scientific research and information in the field.
The cooperation agreement is billed as a milestone to spread Ho Chi Minh City’s integrated circuit (IC) Industrial Development Programme to the world, and serves as a golden opportunity to enlarge Vietnam’s collaboration in the field with foreign countries, particularly Japan - the world’s leading semiconductor producer.
According to Le Thai Hy, deputy head of the steering committee for the programme, international cooperation has a crucial role to play to further semiconductor development in Vietnam. He said that Vietnam is falling behind other countries in the sector and is facing a line-up of difficulties.
The ICDREC has received much attention from Japanese partners since attending SEMICON Japan 2015 - an international exhibition for the microelectronics manufacturing industry held in Tokyo.
During the December 14-16 exhibition, representatives from the ICDREC showcased a number of chips they have been developing, including SG8V1, HF RFID, ADC 24 and UHF RFID, and some other chip-based products.
The Vietnamese team attended SEMICON Japan to learn firsthand about the country’s policies and demand for microelectronic products, as part of Ho Chi Minh City’s project to design support mechanisms and policies for the development of its IC industry.-VNA
Vietnam consumes more than 20 billion integrated circuits (IC) worth a combined 2 billion USD a year but most of them are imported, The Saigon Times Daily reported.
The Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park and the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International inked a deal on September 21 on joint activities to stimulate the development of the semiconductor industry.
Vietnamese semiconductor companies will have an opportunity to introduce their businesses to global producers during a business mission that finishes on September 23.
Made-in-Vietnam integrated circuits (ICs) were introduced at SEMICON Japan, an international exhibition for the microelectronics manufacturing supply chain recently held in Tokyo.
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Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
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Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
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The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
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According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
Integrated Circuit research and design at the ICDREC (Photo: VNA) 
