At the end of 2024, Vietnam officially announced its goal of training 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030—a declaration of a bold ambition: Vietnam does not want to remain only an outsource destination; it aims to master the global semiconductor value chain.
Within just one year since the government introduced this target, Vietnam’s university system has made significant progress. Leading institutions such as Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (VNU-HCM), and the University of Engineering and Technology (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) have quickly released plans for semiconductor training and development.
At the launch ceremony of the Semiconductor Alliance in Hanoi, Phạm Bảo Sơn, Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, emphasized that semiconductor development is not only a strategic goal but also a crucial opportunity for Vietnam to master core technologies, enhance national competitiveness, and strengthen its position in the global value chain
Vietnam’s Opportunity to Supply Semiconductor Talent to the World
At the seminar “Strengthening Cooperation to Promote Training and Research in the Semiconductor Field” on November 27, many experts noted that talent shortages are a major bottleneck in the global semiconductor industry—but they also create opportunities for Vietnam to move deeper into the supply chain.
Vũ Kim Chi, Market Development Director at the Mitsubishi Research Institute, said Japan will lack 200,000 semiconductor professionals by 2035. Demand is rising sharply as Japan targets 15% of global semiconductor market share within the next decade to regain its once-leading position.
She noted that Japan needs a wide range of roles—from front-end and back-end manufacturing engineers to fab operators and R&D engineers. Engineers must understand semiconductor manufacturing processes, possess hands-on experience, and be able to communicate in Japanese. Skills in data analytics, AI, and robotics are also highly valued.
From the industry side, Wan Azmi Bin Wan Hussin, COO of CT Semiconductor (a member of CT Group), said the talent shortage is a shared challenge across Asia and Europe. Asia alone lacks around 450,000 highly skilled semiconductor professionals, and Vietnam is no exception.
He explained that the semiconductor industry is expanding faster than the supply of university-trained engineers. In addition, there is still a gap between academic training and industry requirements.
Fresh graduates, he said, cannot meet practical needs immediately and require at least six months to become familiar with the machinery. During construction of its factory in Vietnam, CT Semiconductor had to rely on Korean experts due to the shortage of local talent.
The COO also shared that globally, two countries are pushing hardest in semiconductors today: Vietnam and India—and both are expected to present challenges to established semiconductor powerhouses such as South Korea, Japan, China, the U.S., and Malaysia.
Finding the “Solution” to the Semiconductor Talent Challenge
According to COO Wan Azmi, alongside major domestic and international investment—such as CT Semiconductor, FPT, Viettel, Intel, HANA Micron, and Amkor—Vietnam holds strong ambitions to become a major semiconductor hub.
“But investment alone is not enough. Even with large capital inflows, we still need high-quality human resources to operate the semiconductor industry. Only when both elements move together can the semiconductor sector succeed.”
He added that Vietnam currently has about 15,000 semiconductor professionals, but the country’s 2030 target requires 50,000. In packaging alone, there are only 8,000 workers today, while the demand is around 35,000, meaning a shortage of 27,000 engineers within five years.
“That’s why we are collaborating with universities to train and supply the talent that the industry needs,” the COO said.
Mitsubishi Research Institute’s Vũ Kim Chi emphasized:
“This is the time for Vietnam to think about training not only for domestic demand but also for supplying talent abroad.”
She proposed a tripartite training model involving universities, enterprises, and staffing/training agencies to bridge the gap between education and industry needs.
Kenneth Tse, General Manager of Intel Products Vietnam, said that solving the talent issue requires close coordination between the government, universities, and businesses. Hands-on experience on production lines is the best way to learn, he said, and proposed building mutually beneficial cooperation mechanisms to accelerate industry development.
Experts agree that despite Vietnam’s strong potential, the biggest challenge is speed. Demand for talent is growing faster than training capacity, while companies need engineers who can work immediately on the production line. Expanding international cooperation, exposing students early to manufacturing environments, and standardizing training programs are seen as urgent steps.
Vice President Phạm Bảo Sơn said Vietnam National University, Hanoi has already invested in research infrastructure, developed specialized training programs, and initiated key national projects with the goal of delivering concrete products for businesses and society.
The university is building a national center for IC design, manufacturing, and testing, along with shared laboratories in Hòa Lạc. VNU aims to train 10,000 semiconductor professionals by 2030, supporting the national strategy for semiconductor development.
Source: Vietnam Plus
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