Fulbright University Vietnam announces the release of a research report:"Strengthening high-tech workforce development to increase Vietnam’s competitiveness in the semiconductor industry".

This report is a direct outcome of a U.S. Department of State-funded initiative to strengthen Vietnam as a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain, advancing American strategic interests in securing reliable, trusted partners for high-tech manufacturing.

The report was informed by a series of activities engaging semiconductor enterprises and academics from around the globe. In June 2024, the FUV research team visited Taipei and Hsinchu, Taiwan (China), engaging with key universities and industry leaders to gain insights on curriculum development and workforce needs. In the United States, the FUV met with senior engineers and visited U.S. educational institutions to understand industry needs and educational strategies. FUV-organized workshops with key stakeholders in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in March and April 2024 further identified workforce development gaps and recommendations for STEM education.

The best practices emphasized in the study reflect the United States' commitment to reinforcing secure, diversified, and resilient supply chains. It also aligns with Vietnam’s interests in furthering workforce development in high-tech sectors, particularly in the semiconductor industry, as part of its broader economic and social development goals.

The Semiconductor Workshop with the participation of representatives from government ministries, businesses, and educational institutions in Hanoi in April 2024.

Main insights from the report

The report highlights the pivotal role Vietnam can play in supporting American and global semiconductor supply chains, provided that strategic investments continue in workforce training and industry collaboration. Key findings include:

• Vietnam’s Competitive Advantage: Proximity to key semiconductor hubs such as Japan and South Korea and strong relations with the United States makes Vietnam a prime candidate for integration into secure supply chains.
• Workforce Gaps and Solutions: Only 10 percent of Vietnam’s current hardware engineers meet semiconductor industry skill requirements. To address this, U.S.-Vietnam partnerships could play a key role in expanding training programs that align with industry needs, ensuring a pipeline of skilled talent that supports manufacturing.
• University-Industry Collaboration: The report underscores the necessity of direct cooperation between universities and businesses to bridge skill gaps, reducing reliance on foreign on-the-job training and accelerating Vietnam’s workforce readiness for global enterprises, including American firms.

The project team and semiconductor experts from the United States during their field trip to the U.S. in June 2024.

Key recommendations

Based on the research findings, the report provides recommendations for three key stakeholders: the government, educational institutions, and the private sector.

1. Develop specialized training programs: Universities should design and implement industry-aligned curricula, particularly in Assembly, Testing, and Packaging (ATP) and Integrated Circuit (IC) design, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
2. Establish semiconductor training centers: Government and industry should collaborate to invest in modern training centers, providing students with access to cutting-edge technology and hands-on experience.
3. Attract industry experts and improve incentives: Recruiting top experts for teaching and improving retention policies for skilled professionals are essential for ensuring long-term workforce development.
4. Enhance university-industry collaboration: Strengthening ties between universities and businesses is crucial to bridging skill gaps, reducing training time for new hires, and boosting industry competitiveness. Government-backed pilot projects can provide practical learning opportunities for students while fostering innovation.

By fully implementing these strategic initiatives, Vietnam can close its workforce gap and establish itself as a competitive player in the global semiconductor industry and a crucial link in the global semiconductor value chain.

This report underscores Fulbright University Vietnam’s commitment to pioneering research and education that contribute to Vietnam’s economic and social progress. The full findings and recommendations will be widely shared with policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to inform strategic decision-making for Vietnam’s semiconductor sector. U.S. funding in partnership with FUV also supported 10 Vietnamese faculty members from five educational institutions to travel to Taiwan (China) to acquire specialized knowledge on assembly, testing, and packaging and gain practical experience with advanced equipment.

A group of faculty members from Vietnamese educational and training institutions participated in a training course on Assembly, Testing, and Packaging (ATP) in Taiwan (China) in December 2024.

Dr. Le Quan, Senior Lecturer in Human-Centered Engineering at Fulbright University Vietnam, emphasized the significance of this report: “Vietnam is at a pivotal moment in the global semiconductor landscape. With strategic geographic positioning and a high-potential workforce, we hold significant opportunities in this industry. National policies and continuous investments in capacity building and deeper integration into global supply chains will be key to positioning Vietnam as a major player in the semiconductor sector”.

About Fulbright University Vietnam

Founded in 2016 on the promise of Vietnamese - American partnership, Fulbright University Vietnam is Vietnam’s first independent, not-for-profit, liberal arts university. Globally integrated but deeply embedded in Vietnamese society, Fulbright is dedicated to providing world-class undergraduate and graduate education. By adapting the latest advancements in institutional design, teaching, learning, technology and other fields, Fulbright endeavors to establish itself as an innovative, globally relevant Vietnamese institution. Fulbright is committed to serving Vietnamese society through rigorous research and civic engagement.