"Breakthroughs within breakthroughs" are driving the semiconductor and AI industries forward.

On March 14th, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the policy forum "Vietnam Proactively Developing the Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Industry in the New Era," organized by the National Innovation Center (NIC) under the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with Aitomatic (USA).

The forum attracted over 1,000 delegates, including leaders and senior technology experts from NVIDIA, Meta, IBM, Google, Intel, TSMC, MediaTek, Tokyo Electron, Panasonic, Marvell, and many businesses from Silicon Valley in the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, India, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, to discuss development directions, opportunities, and challenges of the global semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries, and propose development directions for these technology fields in Vietnam.

Establishing a strong position on the global technology map.

At the Forum, leading global experts offered important suggestions and recommendations to help Vietnam gradually assert its position on the global technology map, especially in strategic areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation.

Experts shared at the forum about the significant potential that Vietnam currently possesses in the semiconductor and AI industries.

Christopher Nguyen, CEO and founder of Aitomatic, shared his insights on "The compatibility of Vietnam's semiconductor and artificial intelligence industry development trends with global trends." He analyzed key factors enabling Vietnam to leverage advanced technology, thereby increasing its competitiveness internationally, and affirmed that technological self-reliance is key to the strong development of Vietnam's digital economy .

Mr. Michael Kagan, Chief Technology Officer of NVIDIA, and Mr. Suresh Venkatarayalu, Chief Technology Officer of Honeywell, shared their insights on Vietnam's potential to become a hub for AI and semiconductor R&D, as well as the importance of expanding international cooperation to maximize technological advantages. These insights reflect global trends and serve as a call to action for Vietnamese businesses towards digital transformation and innovation.

Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman ofFPT Group, affirmed the readiness of Vietnamese businesses in technology transfer and building an innovation ecosystem.

Speaking at the forum, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Tam stated that the event affirms Vietnam's efforts to gradually participate in the innovation ecosystem and global value chain of the semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries – two fields considered the "heart" of modern technology and the foundation for the digital economy. Through this Forum, Vietnam aims for a new position on the international stage, opening up opportunities for strategic cooperation, creating a solid foundation for digital transformation, grasping and mastering technology, and achieving the goal of rapid and sustainable development in the coming period.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tam suggested that all partners and stakeholders in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence ecosystem, from leading global technology corporations to research institutes, universities, investment funds, and domestic and international business communities, should cooperate more closely to move forward together and make Vietnam an important link in the global semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain.

The Ministry of Finance will synthesize the opinions of delegates and experts throughout the event. From there, it will coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to report and propose to the Government and government leaders key tasks and solutions to promote these two strategic technology sectors in the coming period, creating significant contributions to help Vietnam achieve double-digit growth during this crucial development phase.

Safe and sustainable

Speaking at the forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the global and regional situation is evolving rapidly, unpredictably, and difficult to forecast. However, the trend of peace, cooperation, and development remains the dominant trend, with opportunities and advantages intertwined with difficulties and challenges. In this context, Vietnam needs a people-to-people, global, and comprehensive approach; emphasizing international solidarity, working together in cooperation and sharing to make the world a better place, and for the people of each country to live in peace, cooperation, and development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a speech at the forum.

"The spirit of solidarity requires a new mindset: 1 plus 1 must be greater than 2, 2 plus 2 must be greater than 4, 3 plus 3 must be greater than 6, thereby doubling and tripling the strength of each of us; if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. Some things must be done quickly, some must be done far, but whether you go fast or far, you must do it safely and sustainably," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Regarding the approach to developing the artificial intelligence and semiconductor sectors, the Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam needs to identify institutions as the "bottleneck of bottlenecks," but also the "breakthrough of breakthroughs"; it must build a transparent institutional framework; resolutely cut at least 30% of administrative procedures, reduce compliance costs for citizens and businesses; strengthen decentralization and delegation of power, coupled with resource allocation, improve implementation capacity, strengthen inspection and supervision; promote self-reliance, self-improvement, and proactiveness, creating a space for innovation for each entity.

Furthermore, Vietnam needs to develop strategic infrastructure to support AI development, semiconductor research and production, including investing in transportation infrastructure to reduce input costs and logistics costs, and increase the competitiveness of goods; developing information technology, telecommunications, digital, and energy infrastructure, ensuring electricity supply is maintained under all circumstances, and guaranteeing coverage of cell phone and electricity infrastructure in remote areas.

Developing an ecosystem for AI, semiconductors, startups, and innovation that suits the country's conditions, circumstances, talents, and strengths of the Vietnamese people; promoting the nationwide startup movement, enabling people of all ages to start businesses that match their abilities and contribute to the country's overall development; establishing research and development (R&D) centers; and developing international and regional financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

The Prime Minister expressed Vietnam's desire for investors and businesses to contribute by advising and guiding thinking, methodologies, approaches, and developing visions and goals that are appropriate to the domestic and global situation, feasible, and effective; helping Vietnam build investment funds, including venture capital funds, and develop financial centers; building mechanisms to promote public-private partnerships to mobilize resources from the people and society; and transferring technology to Vietnam through R&D centers...

The Vietnamese government is committed to helping established foreign investors and businesses develop faster and more efficiently during their investment process in Vietnam. This includes ensuring businesses achieve higher, legitimate profits and improving production and business efficiency. The government will build incentive mechanisms to unleash all productive forces, effectively exploit the potential of the country's natural resources and rich cultural heritage, and mobilize all social resources to contribute to production and business.

Creating a positive development ecosystem; ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of investors through institutional, policy, and incentive solutions that align with the spirit of harmonious benefits and shared risks. Continuously innovating the investment and business environment through policies such as visas, work permits, and researching the development of a national single-window investment portal in accordance with the directives of General Secretary To Lam…

The Prime Minister emphasized that the presence of foreign investors and large corporations at the Forum is an encouragement and support for Vietnam, but it would be even better if we could create concrete investment programs, projects, and plans; working together, sharing the benefits, winning together, and enjoying the joy and happiness of keeping our promises, fulfilling our commitments, and achieving concrete results that bring common benefits to development and contribute to making this world a better place.

Within the framework of the forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung participated in the announcement and launch ceremony of the following initiatives: the Semiconductor Human Resource Development Initiative; the Semiconductor Startup Incubation and Development Initiative; and the Initiative to Support Vietnamese Businesses in Participating in the Global Artificial Intelligence Alliance.