Stronghold of research and development centers

With an open policy, prioritizing the development of artificial intelligence (AI), and the application and development of science and technology, Vietnam is creating "gravity", attracting large corporations in the world to set up Research and Development (R&D) centers.

Destination of many large corporations

At the end of September 2025, Marvell Technology Inc. (USA) opened 3 new offices in Vietnam, including 2 offices in Ho Chi Minh City (including a modern R&D laboratory). Marvell Technology Inc. clearly shows its orientation to make the R&D Center in Vietnam the third largest center in the world, after the US and India... "Vietnamese engineers are participating in the most advanced and complex technology projects in the semiconductor industry", said Mr. Le Quang Dam, General Director of Marvell Vietnam.

Inside the research lab of Marvell Technology Inc. in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: HOANG HUNG

In early August 2025, SAP Group (Germany) inaugurated the R&D Center in Ho Chi Minh City - SAP's second center in Southeast Asia (after Singapore), with an announced investment of up to 150 million euros. This center will cooperate with other R&D centers of SAP Group around the world to take advantage of the global network and share knowledge in the process of developing technology solutions.

- Mr. NGUYEN HONG VIET, General Director of SAP Vietnam: "The rapid speed of digital transformation, along with a young, technology-savvy workforce, has made Vietnam an important pillar in the global vision of SAP in particular and of many global corporations in general."

- Mr. LE XUAN DINH, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology: “Qualcomm choosing Vietnam as the destination to set up its AI R&D Center demonstrates its belief in the potential and capacity of Vietnam’s IT human resources. Once operational, this will be a talent incubation center, contributing to the training and development of international engineers, experts, and contributing to promoting sustainable socio -economic development of Vietnam and the region.”

Previously, in June 2025, Qualcomm Corporation (USA) launched the AI ​​R&D Center in Vietnam, with the third largest scale of this corporation globally. The establishment of the AI ​​R&D Center in Vietnam shows Qualcomm Corporation's appreciation for the potential for human resource development and AI technology ecosystem in Vietnam, while opening up opportunities for cooperation, technology transfer and improving domestic research capacity. The Center focuses on developing generative AI and agent AI solutions, applied in many fields such as smartphones, personal computers, extended reality (XR), automobiles and the Internet of Things (IoT).

One of the most popular R&D centers today is Samsung's in Hanoi , with a total investment of about 220 million USD, operating from December 2022. This center marks an important shift in Samsung's investment, as Vietnam is not only a global production base but also becomes a strategic link in the group's global research and development network.

Ho Chi Minh City has launched a plan to train 9,000 semiconductor engineers in the 2026-2030 period, contributing to the country's goal of building a team of 50,000 high-quality engineers by 2030. The city always accompanies businesses, especially global technology corporations, in developing high-quality human resources. In that journey, R&D centers play a very important role, as a bridge between knowledge, technology and innovation.

Opportunity to improve the quality of technology human resources

Since September 2024, SAP Labs Vietnam has recruited more than 200 employees and plans to increase to 500 employees by 2027. In addition to searching for senior personnel, SAP Labs Vietnam is also working closely with leading universities in Ho Chi Minh City to nurture technology talent and open up career paths in advanced fields such as data analytics, AI and software engineering. “We aim for a bigger goal, building an ecosystem for talent, thereby connecting the most creative and tech-savvy technology experts in Vietnam,” said Mr. Manik Saha, General Director of SAP Labs Singapore and Vietnam.

Samsung's R&D center in Hanoi affirms Samsung Group's strategic investment in Vietnam. Photo: KIM THANH

Similarly, Qualcomm Incorporated's AI R&D Center aims to create long-term socio-economic benefits by creating high-value technical jobs, collaborating with Vietnamese universities and promoting local human resources.

The emergence of R&D centers helps Vietnamese engineers mature quickly, have the ability to master technology, and take on complex and decisive design projects. For example, at Marvell Vietnam (office located in Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, Ho Chi Minh City), when it was established in 2013, there were only 5 engineers and staff, focusing on design verification projects; then gradually participating in the entire integrated circuit (IC) design process: from architecture, digital design, digital and analog mixed-signal design, signal circuit diagrams, simulation, test design, physical design, software and firmware development... To date, Marvell Vietnam is considered Marvell's third largest R&D Center globally with more than 500 engineers, only after the US and India.

Vietnamese enterprises proactively join the game

Viettel and FPT are two corporations that invest heavily in Research and Development (R&D) centers.

In August 2025, Viettel started construction of the Viettel R&D Center in Hanoi. The project has an investment of 10,000 billion VND, on an area of ​​13 hectares in Hoa Lac High-Tech Park (Hanoi). The project consists of 6 smart buildings, expected to be completed in 2030, is a key R&D center, closing the entire process of research - design - testing - production of high-tech products. This center is expected to attract 2,500 high-quality personnel.

Previously, in March 2025, FPT Corporation opened the R&D Center for high technology and semiconductor chips at Software Park No. 2, Da Nang City. The Center is determined to become a "Tech hub", the "birthplace" of high-tech products bearing the "Made by FPT - Make in Vietnam" mark; the goal is to gather 500 technology experts here by 2025 and continuously expand in the future. The Center will also become a destination to connect startups in the region, share experiences and spread the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation to the business community.

“In the past 5 years, FPT has promoted its strategy of developing new technology products such as semiconductor chips, artificial intelligence, etc. We are proud to have created an ecosystem of more than 200 Made by FPT products and services, widely serving global customers. The launch of the High-Tech R&D Center and Semiconductor Chips in Da Nang continues to affirm that this is a strategic investment direction,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa, General Director of FPT.

KIM THANH

SHTP attracts investors with pioneering technology

According to Mr. Nguyen Ky Phung, Head of the Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park (SHTP), in the period of 2025-2030, the unit has identified priority development of key technology fields: microelectronics, semiconductors, data centers and artificial intelligence (Data Center & AI Factory), robots and autonomous devices (Autonomous), biotechnology serving human health care.

In order to ensure high-tech development, SHTP is determined to attract projects as R&D Centers, promote technology transfer activities, build an innovative and creative ecosystem, and support the development of start-up businesses. The current challenge is to ensure the attraction of foreign investors with pioneering technology while developing domestic technology enterprises.

BINH LAM

BA TAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cu-dia-cua-cac-trung-tam-nghien-cuu-va-phat-trien-post823165.html