On September 18, Synopsys signed signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in a bid to bolster the semiconductor workforce.

Accordingly, one MoU with the Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC), under Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), is aimed at advancing the IC design workforce there. With Synopsys’ support, the NIC plans to build up infrastructure for a new semiconductor design incubation centre at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park in Hanoi.

The aim behind the collaboration with NIC is to cultivate an advanced IC design workforce and facilitate the startup design community in Vietnam.

Synopsys will provide its University Software Programme, which includes curriculum, educational resources, and a “train the trainers” programme to the NIC to establish the design incubation centre.

The company also plans to connect Vietnamese engineers trained at the NIC IC design centre with job opportunities, support NIC’s participation in the global semiconductor supply chain, and work with NIC in the development and implementation of workforce development projects in Vietnam.

Synopsys also signed a second MoU with the Authority of Information and Communication Technologies Industry (AICTI) of Vietnam, under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC). As part of this effort, Synopsys is supporting the AICTI’s establishment of a Vietnam semiconductor research institute.

The US company plans to consult and provide insights as the AICTI drafts its strategic plan to set up an initial research and development (R&D) lab and a high-end emulation centre to cultivate advanced IC design startups and facilitate R&D production capability in Vietnam.

“This is a time of unprecedented opportunity for Synopsys as semiconductor R&D continues unabated to harness AI and to capture the many opportunities in a world of 'Smart Everything',” said Joachim Kunkel, GM of the Solutions Group at Synopsys. “Not only is Synopsys a catalyst for chip innovation, we are also committed to ensuring a strong, global semiconductor ecosystem. This includes our commitment to the growth and development of our critical industry in Vietnam.”

Synopsys is set to shift its investment and engineer training to Vietnam as multinationals continue to leave China. The company, one of the biggest chip design software makers in the world, will train electrical engineers in Vietnam and donate software licenses for a chip design center in the country, Nikkei Asia reported.

Synopsys opened its first office in the country in 2016. Today, Synopsys has four offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. Of the 500 employees there, approximately 400 are in R&D.

The joint activities should not only accelerate the availability of critical talent, but also broaden effort between the governments to renew the strength and dynamism of the US-Vietnam relationship.

Synopsys is just one of the US companies that plans to increase investment in Vietnam's semiconductor industry. Amkor Technology's $1.6 billion semiconductor plant in the northern province of Bac Ninh is scheduled for trial production by late October. Meanwhile, Marvell is in the process of expanding its physical footprint in the country – with a new facility to be operational by the end of 2024.

In addition, Intel has set up its largest assembly and test factory in Ho Chi Minh City with 2,800 employees and an investment of $1.5 billion.