According to data from the American Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), sales in the global semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) sector currently amount to approximately USD 600 billion and are forecast to increase to USD 1,000 billion by 2030. Vietnamese exports present promising prospects for the advancement of the semiconductor ICs industry. With a sizeable population and a governmental focus on digital transformation, Viet Nam is well-positioned for growth in the semiconductor ICs market. The demand for engineers is substantial, and career opportunities in the semiconductor ICs field are anticipated to flourish in the near future.

On the morning of 22 September 2023, the Ho Chi Minh City Semiconductor Industry Association (HSIA) coordinated with the VNUHCM-University of Science to successfully organise a conference on “Current Footings and Remedies in Human Resource Training and Research and Implementation in the Semiconductor ICs in Viet Nam with a Vision to 2045.” The focus was on evaluating the status of research, training, and workforce requirements for semiconductor ICs in Viet Nam, as well as exploring short-term training initiatives for the industry.

Notable guests included:

• Assoc. Prof. Nguyễn Văn Hiếu — Deputy Director of the VNUHCM-Department of Science and Technology;
• M.Sc. Nguyễn Anh Tuấn — Chairman of HSIA;
• Assoc. Prof. Đoàn Lê Hoàng Tân — Deputy Director of the Inomar Centre;
• Mr. Trịnh Xuân Thắng — Deputy Director of Saigon High-Tech Park, Research Laboratories;
• Mr. Lý Minh Tuân — Head of the IT Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications;
• Mr. Trần Long — Head of the Southern Representative Office, Vietnam – ASEAN Association for Economic Cooperation Development;
• Assoc. Prof. Dương Hoài Nghĩa — Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Eastern International University;
• Mr. Đoàn Đức Chánh Tín — Director of the VNUHCM-Institute of Nanotechnology;
• Mr. Nguyễn Phúc Vinh — Technical Director of Synopsys Vietnam Co., Ltd.;
• Mr. Lê Huỳnh Lân — Deputy Head of the Alumni Representative Board of the Faculty of Physics — Engineering Physics and Director of Viet Nam Mantis Group JSC.

Representatives from the university included:

• Assoc. Prof. Trần Cao Vinh — Chairman of the University Council;
• Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan — President of the University;
• Assoc. Prof. Huỳnh Văn Tuấn — Dean of the Faculty of Physics — Engineering Physics;
• Leaders of functional departments, faculties, lecturers, and students.

In his inaugural address, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, President of the University, announced that the VNUHCM-University of Science and other institutions within the VNUHCM system are currently in the process of establishing new programmes in Microchip Design (Faculty of Electronics – Telecommunications) and Semiconductor Technology (Faculty of Physics – Engineering Physics). He emphasised that despite being new programmes, they have been core subjects and research areas at the University for an extensive period.

During the conference, Mr. Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, Chairman of the Viet Nam Semiconductor Association, highlighted both the opportunities and challenges in developing the semiconductor industry in Viet Nam. He emphasised that the microchip industry, as a high-tech sector, provides significant value and is fundamentally important for supporting and propelling the advancement of other industries, thereby contributing meaningfully to economic development. Mr. Tuấn underscored the fact that, despite being a ‘billion-dollar’ industry, the semiconductor ICs sector in Viet Nam is currently struggling with a severe shortage of skilled human resources.

The conference was designed for professionals, businesses, and academic institutions to engage in discussions and propose solutions for human resources development in semiconductor ICs. It also aimed to foster collaboration between the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the National University Ho Chi Minh City. Furthermore, it was crucial to present the government with a comprehensive set of suggested strategies for the advancement of Vietnam’s semiconductor ICs industry, aligned with a forward-looking vision toward 2045. Professor Đặng Lương Mô, an advisor at the National University Ho Chi Minh City, emphasised that the expansion of the semiconductor ICs industry necessitates coordinated efforts from the government, investors, universities, and manufacturers.

The presentations featured the following topics:

• Current remedies for human resources and forecasted demand for semiconductor ICs. Rapporteur: Mr. Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, Chairman of the Vietnam Semiconductor Association.
• Introduction to training and research activities in semiconductor technology at the VNUHCM-University of Sciences. Presenter: Assoc. Prof. Vũ Thị Hạnh Thu, Faculty of Physics — Engineering Physics.
• Challenges in the training of engineers in semiconductor ICs at universities/institutes and retraining at enterprises. Presenter: Mr. Nguyễn Phúc Vinh, representative of Synopsys Company.

During the conference, the VNUHCM-University of Science signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with various participating units and sponsors.