Aspiration to develop the microchip industry.

SGGP 07/09/2023 07:41

On September 6th, the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park Management Board (SHTP) launched the Electronics and Semiconductor Center (ESC). Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai… and many other leaders from ministries and agencies attended the event.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai, along with other delegates, pressed the button to inaugurate the Center for Electronics and Semiconductor Microchip Training. Photo: CAO THANG

Merger to meet investor requirements

The Semiconductor and Integrated Circuit Training Center was formed from two centers: the SHTP Chip Design Center (SCDC) and the International Electronics Training Center (IETC). In August 2022, the SHTP Management Board collaborated with Synopsys to establish SCDC. Synopsys provided Synopsys software for three years, worth tens of millions of USD, to promote human resource training in the electronics field. In March 2023, the SHTP Management Board, together with Sun Electronics Group Joint Stock Company, established the IETC Center, providing training programs in managing and operating electronics manufacturing plants according to international standards.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Thi, Head of the SHTP Management Board, the establishment of the SCDC and IETC models was a crucial preparatory step in promoting investment in strategically important industries such as electronics and semiconductor microchips. In the coming years, SHTP aims to contribute to making Vietnam a semiconductor microchip design center for the region and the world . “With the goal of forming a training unit of sufficient scale to meet the requirements of large investors and create conditions to attract larger-scale international cooperation programs in the future, the SHTP Management Board has merged the two SCDC and IETC models into a larger ESC Center. This merger is entirely consistent with objective reality because the electronics and semiconductor microchip industries have an organic relationship with each other, requiring a synchronized development strategy,” Mr. Nguyen Anh Thi added.

Commitment to promoting the microchip industry.

Experts believe that the move by South Korean integrated circuit design companies following Samsung into Vietnam, such as SNST & Finger Vina at SHTP and CoAsia in Hanoi , and more recently the integrated circuit packaging and testing plant projects by Amkor in Bac Ninh and Samsung in Thai Nguyen, shows that the scale of Vietnam's electronics industry is large enough to drive the development of the semiconductor industry, initially in the design and packaging stages.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai, and other leaders view products from the Center for Electronics and Semiconductor Microchip Training. Photo: CAO THANG

In its development orientation for the electronics and semiconductor industries, SHTP focuses on attracting investment and positioning the role of ESC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) within the overall development orientation of these foundational industries. The goal for the development of Vietnam's electronics and semiconductor industries in the coming period is to develop a strong domestic enterprise system; and to attract targeted and selective foreign direct investment (FDI) to support the development of domestic enterprises.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai said that Ho Chi Minh City was assigned by the Government to manage and invest in the development of the Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP). Over the past 20 years, the city has made efforts and coordinated with central agencies and partners to develop in the right direction, completing the assigned tasks in the first phase. “Recently, the National Assembly issued Resolution 98/2023/QH15 allowing Ho Chi Minh City to pilot a number of specific mechanisms and policies, including mechanisms for technology development, innovation, and investor incentives… We will continue to research policies to further develop science and technology infrastructure, and create new zones to develop high-tech industries in general, including microchips and semiconductors. Ho Chi Minh City will also continue to pilot policies to support training, research, and development,” Chairman Phan Van Mai emphasized.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha expressed his delight with the meaningful models that demonstrate the progress Ho Chi Minh City is making in implementing Resolution 98, and emphasized that there will be no strong electronics industry without building a microchip and semiconductor industry. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stated: “The development process still faces many challenges and fierce competition. Therefore, to develop the microchip and semiconductor industry, the most important thing is to train high-quality human resources and choose the most scientific and effective solutions. This means promoting basic scientific research and understanding core technologies. To achieve this, the Government will amend and supplement laws on science and technology, education and training… Vietnamese people are very good at mathematics, physics, and chemistry, capable of handling everything from initial design to manufacturing, product modeling, and packaging… thereby fostering innovation and mastering technology. The Government is committed to investing resources in the development of science and technology, investing in the future.”

U.S. companies like Synopsys recognize Vietnam's immense potential and its ability to attract foreign investment, world-class brands, and cutting-edge technology. This makes me optimistic about what the United States and Vietnam can achieve in the coming year. With President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam, we look forward to enhancing diplomatic relations and fostering inclusive growth, private sector development, and shared prosperity for both nations.

Ms. Susan Burns, U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khat-vong-phat-trien-nganh-vi-mach-post704578.html