Starting from the pillar of technological cooperation

With a series of meetings with businesses in the technology and semiconductor industries, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh 's trip to the US is part of concrete efforts to realize the new breakthrough in the recently upgraded relationship between the two countries.

Nvidia Chairman Jensen Huang introduces the AI-based A100 chip to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh - Photo: DUONG GIANG

In the Joint Statement upgrading Vietnam-US relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership , Vietnam and the US "decided to strengthen cooperation in science , technology and innovation in the digital field, considering this a new breakthrough in the relationship."

During his two-day visit to the United States, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh demonstrated Vietnam's proactive spirit in concretizing that breakthrough.

Prioritize businesses

More than a year ago, in May 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also visited the United States to attend the US-ASEAN Summit and participate in other activities. The then-Head of Government of Vietnam arrived first on the East Coast of the United States, a hub for the country's political elite.

This time, during his working trip from September 17 to 23, the Prime Minister chose to visit San Francisco on the West Coast, a city that is home to the best of America's science, technology , and innovation industries.

The joint statement by the two countries upgrading their relationship demonstrates the political will of both sides to move the relationship forward. And now, for that relationship to bear fruit, active participation from businesses in both countries, especially American businesses, is needed.

Emphasizing that "strength comes from the people and businesses," the Prime Minister expressed his hope that American businesses would continue to invest in Vietnam to achieve mutual success and benefit, in the spirit of "harmonious interests and shared risks."

That message was clearly stated by the Prime Minister at the Vietnam-US Business Forum on Innovation and Technology on the morning of September 18th (US time, or the morning of September 19th in Vietnam). The fact that the auditorium was completely full at this event shows the expectations of the business community as the Vietnam-US bilateral relationship has a new name.

Reiterating the US commitment to supporting a "strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous" Vietnam, the Prime Minister suggested that businesses focus on trade, services, science and technology, innovation, especially digital technology and energy transition, circular economy, and sharing economy.

"Although the war is long over, there are still people who don't understand Vietnam, who are hesitant and apprehensive. Therefore, I would like to ask the authorities at all levels in the US, and the US-ASEAN Business Council, to explain to them that the Vietnamese Government is ready to open its doors to all businesses to invest and conduct business legally, stably, and effectively," the Prime Minister conveyed.

At the conclusion of the forum, businesses from both countries exchanged four cooperation agreements in digital technology and biotechnology in the presence of the Prime Minister.

Data: NGUYEN HANH, Graphics: NGOC THANH

American businesses have high expectations for Vietnam.

After leaving the business forum, the Prime Minister visited Silicon Valley , home to many of the world's leading American technology corporations.

At Nvidia Corporation, currently the leading server supplier to Vietnam, the Prime Minister had a lengthy discussion with Mr. Jensen Huang (chairman and founder of the corporation) about the global trends in artificial intelligence (AI).

The Prime Minister also suggested that Mr. Huang provide input on Vietnam's national semiconductor strategy, open a manufacturing plant in Vietnam soon, and use Vietnam as a base in Southeast Asia.

At the meeting, the Nvidia chairman introduced the Prime Minister to the A100 AI-based chip, which the corporation believes will be its new "trump card." In fact, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has already begun research and development of a supercomputing system using Nvidia's A100 chip. Both sides expect to complete all internal procedures and sign a cooperation agreement in the semiconductor technology field by October.

After leaving Nvidia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the global chip design company Synopsys and Meta - the parent company of Facebook.

Synopsys leaders shared that the company's goal goes beyond simply designing chips; it also aims to build a global semiconductor ecosystem. With this vision, the company sees many opportunities in Vietnam. Evidence of this is that, shortly after opening its office, Synopsys already has 500 top Vietnamese engineers.

To achieve its goal of making Vietnam a key strategic hub, Synopsys has decided to support Vietnam. In the presence of the Prime Minister, the two sides exchanged a memorandum of understanding on developing talented human resources in integrated circuit (IC) design in Vietnam, supporting the establishment of a chip design incubation center, and a memorandum of understanding on supporting the development of Vietnam's semiconductor industry, aiming towards establishing a semiconductor research institute in Vietnam.

Meta's leaders have expressed their desire to expand investment in Vietnam, including continuing the production of devices for the "virtual universe" metaverse.

"Vietnam still has a long way to go to become an advanced chip manufacturing nation, but Vietnamese policymakers are skillfully leveraging its geopolitical independence, autonomy, and foreign investment to build the foundation for a technology-based economy."

"It's worth watching how Vietnam in general, and its semiconductor industry in particular, will develop in the increasingly multipolar world ahead," commented scholar Arrian Ebrahimi, who spent many years advocating for the semiconductor industry in the US, in an article about Vietnam's semiconductor industry in The Diplomat magazine.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrives in the US capital.

On the morning of September 19th (local time, evening of the same day in Vietnam), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, the second stop on their increasingly busy trip to the United States.

After a full day of work in San Francisco on September 18th, the Prime Minister boarded a plane and flew overnight from the West Coast to the East Coast. His second stop was Washington D.C.

Immediately upon arrival, the Prime Minister visited Georgetown University to speak with students. Following that, he had lunch and worked with semiconductor business executives organized by the Semiconductor Business Association of America.

In the afternoon, the Prime Minister will meet with leaders of the US administration and Congress before attending the ceremony celebrating the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the 78th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day.

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