A boom in AI, data centres and electric vehicles is lifting demand for chips. That is opening doors for Vietnam to grow its place in the semiconductor industry.
Opportunities From Global Supply Chains
FedEx’s report, From AI to EVs: How APAC Semiconductors Drive the Global Innovation Map, shows how central the Asia-Pacific region has become. It accounts for about 58% of global semiconductor industry revenue.
Vietnam is gaining from manufacturing shifts. Its strengths are its electronics industry, regional trade links and competitively priced workforce. The report says Vietnam’s semiconductor exports grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.8% between 2006 and 2025. Imports grew by 30% over the same period. In 2023, Vietnam exported US$32.4 billion in integrated circuits. That shows its growing role in regional and global chip trade.
Ee-Hui Tan, Managing Director of FedEx Vietnam and Cambodia, said Vietnam is becoming a more important part of APAC’s semiconductor ecosystem. More semiconductor and high-tech firms are expanding there.
By late 2025, Vietnam had around 170 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in semiconductors. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, their registered capital was close to US$11.6 billion. Samsung, Intel, MediaTek and other technology groups are present. They offer chances to access technology, manufacturing processes and international customer networks. The electronics components market is forecast to reach US$145 billion by the end of 2026.
Investment Alone Is Not Mastery
Rising investment and exports do not automatically mean domestic mastery of high-value stages. FDI spillovers depend on three things. These are local firms role in supply chains, their ability to absorb technology and their capacity to build technically advanced products and services.
Thomas Pang, acting CEO of Neuron Digital Group, spoke at the recent Vietnam Innovation Summit 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. He noted that Vietnam’s chip activity is still concentrated in design, packaging and testing. Upstream work, including materials, equipment and wafer fabrication, remains limited. Advanced downstream applications and system integration are still developing.
Choosing Priorities and Strengthening Foundations
Vietnam’s semiconductor industry development strategy runs to 2030, with a vision to 2050. It aims for the country to take part in every stage of the global value chain, from design and fabrication to packaging and testing. That needs clear priorities and sound use of resources.
Pang said Vietnam should build on its strengths and develop specialised capabilities. It should avoid spreading resources too thinly. Chip investments usually span five to ten years, so stable and predictable policies matter. So does smooth coordination between agencies. He suggested studying Singapore’s Economic Development Board model, which brings relevant agencies together to promote and support investment.
Digital infrastructure is another key need. Advanced manufacturing produces vast amounts of data on energy, equipment, environmental conditions and logistics. AI, digital twins and real-time data can support simulation, monitoring and production optimisation. They can raise efficiency and cut operating costs.
Pang said Vietnam has advantages in location, political stability, a young workforce and policymakers attention. What it needs now, he added, is ecosystem depth. That comes from a consistent strategy, coordinated governance and smart infrastructure.
Supply, Fabrication and Skills Gaps
Calvin Yong, Regional Director for Southeast Asia, India and Oceania at Yole Group, said Vietnam must address domestic supply shortages. It must also close gaps in fabrication capability and manufacturing management experience.
Most suppliers serving Vietnam’s chip industry are foreign-owned, and many inputs are imported. This shows the need to build domestic supply networks. They would help Vietnamese firms move deeper into the production chains of international corporations.
Building fabrication capability could link chip design to commercial production. But it needs large capital, advanced technology and experienced staff. Investment decisions should therefore reflect market demand and the country’s real capabilities.
Yong also pointed to shortages of professionals with experience in factory operations, production management and advanced packaging. Beyond engineering education, Vietnam needs experienced specialists and stronger international cooperation. Local workers also need chances to gain hands-on experience.
Moving Into Higher-Value Work
As global chip supply chains are restructured, experts said Vietnam’s opportunity goes beyond attracting projects. It also lies in building knowledge, technology and management expertise, so that it can move into higher-value activities.
