Intel moves assembly and packaging from Costa Rica to Vietnam

Intel plans to move its assembly, packaging and testing operations from its factory in Costa Rica to Vietnam, according to Kenneth Tse, General Director of Intel Products Vietnam (IPV), at a meeting with Ho Chi Minh City leaders on October 24 at the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park (SHTP). The move is part of a global strategic shift to optimize production, improve efficiency and competitiveness.

Main events

IPV said the group is implementing production adjustments and hopes that Ho Chi Minh City will support the procedures for machinery operation licenses, as well as ensure air transport security for the process of importing production lines to SHTP. At the same time, Intel began to announce the recruitment of additional personnel in Vietnam until the end of 2025, mainly production technicians, to prepare resources for expansion. The number of additional recruitments and the time of operation of the new production line have not been announced.

Intel factory in Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park. Photo: IPV

Current capacity of Vietnam factory

The IPV plant is Intel's largest assembly and test facility, accounting for more than 50% of production.
Create more than 6,000 jobs.
Apply new technology, including 18A chip product line.
After 20 years of operation, more than 4 billion products have been exported.
Contribute more than 100 billion USD to Vietnam's export turnover by the second quarter of 2025.

Causes and context

According to Mr. Kenneth Tse, Intel is in the process of transforming its global strategy, adjusting to optimize production operations. Moving operations from Costa Rica to Vietnam is in line with the direction of improving efficiency and competitiveness. At the local level, the enterprise requested Ho Chi Minh City to support in licensing for machinery and equipment and aviation security to ensure the progress of importing production lines.

Timeline and related activities

October 16: At the Ho Chi Minh City - US 2025 Fall Forum in San Francisco, Intel signed a memorandum of understanding to sponsor equipment for semiconductor training with SHTP.
Early October: Intel announced to recruit more staff in Vietnam until the end of 2025.
October 24: IPV leaders worked with Ho Chi Minh City leaders at SHTP, presenting plans to move operations from Costa Rica to Vietnam.

Short and medium term prospects

In the short term, procedural steps such as operating licenses, air transport security requirements and equipment import progress will determine the speed of deployment. Recruitment until the end of 2025 shows that the capacity expansion plan is being prepared synchronously in terms of personnel. In the medium term, when the new line is operational, the Vietnam facility is in a position to handle more complex products, in line with the 18A technology orientation that Intel is applying.

Local impact and commitment

At the working session on October 24, Ho Chi Minh City leaders expressed their hope that IPV would become a center of excellence in packaging and testing – a place to complete complex, high-value Intel products – and committed to accompanying and creating favorable conditions for businesses to operate, thereby contributing to the goal of sustainable development, digital economy – high technology and enhancing the position of Vietnam.

Points to Watch

Progress of importing production lines and completing operating procedures at SHTP.
Roadmap for operating new production lines and actual recruitment scale by the end of 2025.
The level of participation of Vietnamese factories in high-tech product lines, including 18A.

Conclude

The plan to move operations from Costa Rica to Vietnam, along with expanded recruitment and training support agreements, strengthens the role of Intel’s Ho Chi Minh City factory in the group’s assembly-test chain. The specific impact on output and the timing of the new line’s operation has not been announced by Intel.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/intel-chuyen-lap-rap-dong-goi-tu-costa-rica-sang-viet-nam-397631.html