Opportunities to participate in the global integrated circuit supply chain.

SGGP 25/05/2023 05:58

Global integrated circuit design corporations are shifting their operations, increasing investment, and seeking potential human resources in Vietnam. Taking advantage of this shift, localities and domestic businesses are implementing solutions to attract and develop integrated circuit design talent, seeking avenues for deeper participation in the global integrated circuit supply chain.

The destination for the microchip industry.

Marvell Technology, Inc. (USA), a company specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of semiconductor chips with over 7,000 employees and more than 10,000 patents, has announced the establishment of a Semiconductor Design Center in Ho Chi Minh City. Regarding this move, Dr. Nguyen Loi, Senior Vice President of Marvell Global, stated that Marvell chose Vietnam for its semiconductor design center due to its dynamic environment, stable socio -political conditions, and abundant talent resources. The center is envisioned to become a leading center for Marvell, developing the most advanced technologies to support Marvell's new strategy.

Marvell has been present in Ho Chi Minh City since 2013 with a team of over 10 engineers researching and participating in microchip development projects. Marvell Vietnam has continuously grown, especially in recent years, experiencing strong personnel growth with 300 employees in its two offices in Ho Chi Minh City, 97% of whom are hardware and software engineers. “US companies like Marvell are always at the forefront of growth and development in this important industry in Vietnam, with products used as core components in a wide range of goods, from phones and cars to digital infrastructure that forms the foundation of the modern economy ,” said Susan Burns, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Opportunities to participate in the global integrated circuit supply chain (image 1)

A chip designed by Viettel Group was introduced at the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park during an event related to the microchip industry.

Previously, on May 10th, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung chaired a seminar on "Strengthening Investment Cooperation between the Inter-University Microelectronics Centre of Belgium (IMEC) and Vietnam." IMEC is a research and development (R&D) and innovation center in semiconductor chip technology with over 5,500 researchers and experts from more than 90 countries. With IMEC being not only a key laboratory in Europe but also globally, the largest chip suppliers such as Intel, Qualcomm, and MediaTek collaborate with IMEC to gain new technological directions and solutions. Strengthening cooperation with IMEC will support the training of microchip design personnel in Vietnam.

According to Professor Dang Luong Mo, Ho Chi Minh City is attracting microchip businesses. The Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park (SHTP) currently houses the International Electronics Training Center (IETC) and the Microchip Design Center, built in collaboration with foreign microchip corporations, and recently commenced operations. Ho Chi Minh City also has approximately 50 microchip design companies, mostly foreign-owned, participating in the global microchip production and supply chain.

Find the right direction for development.

The microchip industry in Ho Chi Minh City was most active during the period 2013-2020, achieving significant results in training and research on chip design. Successful commercializations of Vietnamese-made chips include the SG-8V1 chip, DE-8V1 kit, container locks, vehicle tracking devices, and electronic meters. Looking ahead to 2030, Ho Chi Minh City aims to promote the development of the microchip industry through human resource training; developing the electronic microchip market; effectively operating and exploiting the achievements of designers; and continuing to attract investment projects from foreign microchip corporations.

Marvell's establishment of a Microchip Design Center in Vietnam, along with a series of other activities related to the microchip industry recently, shows that the microchip industry is receiving significant attention for development. "With recent changes and increased interest from all levels, the microchip industry is making a comeback. In particular, the Vietnamese and Japanese governments have signed agreements to develop this industry, so if we are determined to implement it, we will bring this up with the Japanese government, and I think they will be willing to support it," said Professor Dang Luong Mo.

At the seminar "Strengthening Investment Cooperation between IMEC and Vietnam," Mr. Nguyen Thien Nghia, Deputy Director in charge of the Information Technology and Communications Industry Department (Ministry of Information and Communications), assessed that IMEC's visit to Vietnam and its work with the Ministry of Information and Communications marked a step in cooperation, giving Vietnam the opportunity to improve its technological level in the field of microchip research and production. According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Thi, Head of the SHTP Management Board, Vietnam has been assessed by the American Semiconductor Association as having potential in design and packaging. These are areas that Vietnam needs to focus on.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung shared that Vietnam aspires to become part of the global supply chain, not only in terms of programming and packaging, but also in many other aspects such as design, development, and integrating integrated circuits into hardware products, especially in today's Internet of Things world.

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