Hanoi Urges US Firms to Deepen High-Tech and Semiconductor Investment

Vietnam is welcoming US companies to expand their operations, with a particular focus on high-technology sectors and industries with high added value, a senior government official said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung delivered the message during a meeting on June 26 with Jeff Place, Chief Supply Chain Officer of the US-based Coherent Corp., who was on a working visit to the country.

The Vietnam News Agency quoted the Deputy Prime Minister as stating that Vietnam prioritizes foreign direct investment (FDI) projects featuring high technological content, research and development (R&D), and strong linkages with domestic firms. He added that the country seeks projects that facilitate deep integration into global value chains and support human resource training.

Regarding the semiconductor industry, Mr. Dung said Vietnam is promoting an ecosystem for deeper participation in design, packaging, testing, and the production of materials and equipment. This initiative runs parallel to a focus on training high-quality human resources and attracting strategic investors.

He further explained that Vietnam aims to establish industrial ecosystems for semiconductors and electronics in localities with advantages in infrastructure, logistics, and supply chain connectivity. The strategy includes developing supporting industries to increase localization rates within the high-tech value chain.

Vietnam also encourages the development of data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, Mr. Dung noted. He stipulated that such projects must use modern, energy-efficient technologies and ensure cybersecurity while aligning with local technical planning.

Speaking for Coherent Corp., Mr. Place expressed the group's desire to continue its partnership with Vietnam, citing plans for investment expansion, high-quality human resource training, and contributing to the semiconductor ecosystem.

Mr. Place highlighted that Coherent is a leader in managing the entire supply chain, from raw materials to finished systems. He said the group aims to work with Vietnam to develop a mutually beneficial ecosystem for sustainable growth.

In addition to manufacturing, Coherent is emphasizing R&D and is currently collaborating with Vietnamese universities on both personnel training and researching new technologies to advance the semiconductor industry's overall capacity.