The gap in Vietnam's semiconductor industry is beginning to be filled.

Viettel begins construction on Vietnam's first semiconductor chip manufacturing plant.

The manufacturing process, the most crucial step in transforming blueprints on paper into actual chips, used to be a major gap in Vietnam's semiconductor industry. Now, that concern is on its way to an end as Viettel begins construction of Vietnam's first semiconductor chip manufacturing plant.

Completing the final "piece of the puzzle" and affirming technological self-reliance.

In the global semiconductor value chain, semiconductor chip manufacturing is a crucial step in the industry due to its technological complexity and significant investment. To date, Vietnam has participated in five out of six stages: product definition, system design, detailed design, packaging and testing, and integration and testing. However, the manufacturing stage, the most critical step in transforming blueprints into actual chips, remains incomplete.

Accordingly, the commencement of construction of the factory in Hoa Lac on an area of ​​27 hectares is a step towards completing and closing the entire production process domestically. In fact, the semiconductor chip manufacturing plant not only has economic significance but also plays a crucial role in the development of the national cybersecurity sector.

Viettel's semiconductor factory aims to begin operations in 2027.

Lieutenant General Le Minh Thai, Director of the Military Technical Academy, stated: "Chip technology is not something that is transferred to us from anywhere. We have to research and produce it ourselves. Therefore, the groundbreaking ceremony for the first semiconductor chip manufacturing plant is a very important step and a foundation for us to be able to master the production of specialized chips in a proactive, modern, and dual-use manner."

Furthermore, achieving self-sufficiency in chip supply helps Vietnam withstand the unpredictable fluctuations of the global supply chain. Dr. Nguyen Dong Giang, a semiconductor technology research and development expert at HSIC Lab, UIUC, recalled a valuable lesson: “When the global chip supply market declined, many technology companies took nearly two years to acquire products. Therefore, the establishment of this factory will help Vietnam become more self-sufficient in its supply.”

The driving force behind the digital age and the convergence point of "Vietnamese intelligence"

Manufacturing semiconductor chips demands extremely high precision and discipline. From a silicon wafer of near-perfect purity, the chip is formed through 1000 consecutive technological steps, spanning three months. Even a small deviation at any stage can affect the entire production line, requiring a very high level of organizational, managerial, and technological expertise.

Semiconductor chip manufacturing is one of the most demanding processes in the world.

Viettel's project is expected to become a "magnet" attracting Vietnamese talent from around the world. Dr. Le Van Minh, Technology Integration Specialist at Viettel Semi, Viettel Group, former Associate Professor at the New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, Tohoku University, Japan, with over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor industry in Japan, shared: “This is the driving force and focal point to attract multidisciplinary Vietnamese experts and engineers from around the globe to return, providing a large enough environment for them to contribute and work together to solve major national-level problems.”

Finally, the "State-Enterprise" collaboration will create more impetus for the development of Vietnam's semiconductor industry. For example, Viettel is collaborating with the Hanoi University of Technology in training elite talent, placing students in internships in real-world production environments. Vietnam aims to train 50,000 chip design engineers by 2030. Alongside this, technology companies like FPT are ready to supply manpower, handle packaging, testing, and bring Viettel's products to the global market.

The Hoa Lac factory will not only remain at its current scale but is also planned for expansion, accessing more advanced semiconductor technologies in the 2028-2030 period. This will be a national infrastructure serving a range of industries such as aerospace, the Internet of Things (IoT), and automotive manufacturing. The groundbreaking ceremony for the first chip factory is not only a technological milestone but also a symbol of the nation's self-reliance and strength.

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/khoang-trong-cua-nganh-ban-dan-viet-nam-bat-dau-duoc-lap-day-ar999495.html