TLDR: Ho Chi Minh City is aggressively pursuing a strategy to become a leading regional hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductor development, backed by significant investments in talent training, research and development (R&D), and infrastructure. This bold initiative aims to transform Vietnam’s high-tech landscape, attracting global tech giants and fostering a robust domestic ecosystem, with concrete targets set for 2030 and a vision extending to 2045.
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has launched an ambitious strategic push to establish itself as a powerhouse in Artificial Intelligence and semiconductor development, positioning itself as a pivotal high-tech hub in Southeast Asia. This comprehensive blueprint, unveiled on October 9, 2025, signifies Vietnam’s intent to move beyond traditional manufacturing and into high-value innovation, with substantial government backing and critical international partnerships.
The city’s strategy is multifaceted, focusing intensely on cultivating a highly skilled engineering workforce and fostering a robust research and development ecosystem. Key targets for 2030 include training at least 9,000 university-level engineers specifically for the semiconductor industry, contributing significantly to Vietnam’s national goal of 50,000 semiconductor professionals by the same year. Additionally, HCMC aims to establish at least one international-standard R&D center and promote a thriving ecosystem for core digital technologies, including AI, cloud computing, Big Data, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Investment underscores this commitment, with HCMC allocating VND125 billion (approximately US$4.9 million) towards a new Digital and Green Transformation Research Center at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP). SHTP is already a significant tech cluster, housing 37 electronics and microchip projects with a combined investment exceeding $7.7 billion. Major global tech corporations such as Intel, Samsung, Marvell, and Siemens EDA have established a presence in the city, further solidifying its appeal. HCMC People’s Committee Vice Chairwoman Tran Thi Dieu Thuy noted, ‘The city is already a key destination for major tech corporations like Intel, Samsung, Marvell, and Siemens EDA.’
Parallel to its semiconductor drive, HCMC is making a concerted effort to become an AI powerhouse. The city has rolled out AI training programs for its civil servants to enhance public sector efficiency and advance its smart city initiatives. This complements the rapid adoption of AI by Vietnamese tech leaders such as FPT, VNG, and MOMO in the private sector. Experts highlight the symbiotic relationship between AI and semiconductors, with AI playing a crucial role in automating semiconductor manufacturing and semiconductors being indispensable for AI development.
The economic potential is substantial. Vietnam’s electronics exports surpassed $134.5 billion in 2024, accounting for over a third of the national export turnover. The first five months of 2025 saw continued strong growth, with total electronics export turnover reaching over $60.8 billion, a 39 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. HSIA Chairman Nguyen Van Hieu stated, ‘If Vietnamese semiconductor firms can succeed in designing even common chips for the electronics sector, a massive domestic market is ready and waiting.’
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Further reinforcing these efforts, the Alliance for Research and Training in Semiconductors and Microelectronics (ARTSeMi) was officially launched in HCMC on August 21, 2025, bringing together 15 founding members from universities, research institutes, enterprises, and organizations. This alliance focuses on technical information sharing, joint research, training programs, and international cooperation. The city also hosted the Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductor Conference (AISC) 2025 in March, gathering global leaders to discuss breakthroughs and reinforce Vietnam’s position in the global AI and semiconductor value chain. This strategic foray into AI and semiconductor development represents a pivotal moment, signaling a significant shift in global technological power and underscoring the growing recognition of emerging economies in fostering world-class technological ecosystems.
