In the context of digital transformation and the strong development of high technology, the semiconductor industry is increasingly asserting its key role in the global economy. However, the development of the semiconductor industry in Vietnam still faces many difficulties and challenges, requiring strong and drastic solutions.
The main difficulties and challenges in the development of the semiconductor industry in Vietnam today can be mentioned as follows:
The need for large investment capital and incentive mechanisms have not kept up with practical requirements
The semiconductor industry is a field that requires huge investment capital for research, development and production. However, the incentive mechanisms and investment support in this industry in Vietnam are still not adequate and timely, unable to attract organizations and individuals to invest in this field. Current policy mechanisms still lack breakthroughs and do not have specific incentives to encourage investors to participate in this important field.
Limitations in infrastructure and power supply
One of the basic factors for the development of the semiconductor industry is the infrastructure for research, development, production and business. However, currently, the infrastructure in Vietnam in these areas is limited. This makes it difficult to implement projects in the semiconductor industry. In addition, the power supply in some areas is still not guaranteed, which will directly affect semiconductor factories that require stable and powerful power sources.
Lack of high-quality human resources
Although Vietnam has an abundant workforce, high-quality human resources are still a shortage in the semiconductor industry. The semiconductor industry requires a team of highly qualified engineers and experts in microchip design, chip technology, high technology and related fields. Training and developing high-quality human resources in this industry still faces many obstacles due to the lack of formal training programs and specialized education systems.
International cooperation faces obstacles
The semiconductor industry is a highly global industry, requiring cooperation with countries and large enterprises in the industry. However, international cooperation in this field still faces some obstacles, especially in terms of policy and national security. Domestic interest protection policies and national security issues are also factors that need to be considered when developing the semiconductor industry in Vietnam.
To overcome current difficulties and challenges and develop Vietnam's semiconductor industry strongly, a comprehensive and long-term development strategy is needed. The National Steering Committee for the Development of the Semiconductor Industry has put forth its viewpoints and goals to be achieved in the coming time, specifically:
- Consider the development of human resources, institutions and infrastructure for the semiconductor industry as a comprehensive strategy; need to focus on implementation and investment commensurate with strategic breakthroughs. Have a breakthrough policy mechanism for training high-quality human resources in the spirit of equality, simplicity, and convenience for relevant entities to implement.
- The Party directs, the National Assembly agrees, the people support, the nation expects, so we only discuss doing, not retreating, there must be steps, a roadmap, specific orientation, high determination, great efforts, drastic and effective actions, with focus and key points; do each job and finish it; assign tasks clearly to people, clear tasks, clear results, and urge, inspect, and supervise during the implementation process. - Promote the responsibility of the leader, strengthen decentralization and delegation of authority along with resource allocation, improve the capacity of subordinates, associated with inspection, supervision and control of power.
- Promote public-private cooperation, domestic and international cooperation; open up and utilize all resources for training and developing human resources to serve the semiconductor industry. Promote the strength of the state, enterprises, investors, and training institutions in the spirit of "harmonized benefits and shared risks".
- Develop the semiconductor industry in a harmonious manner, balancing relations with major countries. Focus on developing design, testing, packaging centers and participating in the global value chain of large enterprises, especially in advanced packaging technology, towards establishing semiconductor manufacturing plants and participating in the global value chain of the semiconductor industry.
- Strengthen communication, create consensus in society on the development of the semiconductor industry.
To realize the goal of developing the semiconductor industry, ministries, branches and localities need to proactively develop plans to implement specific tasks and solutions. It is necessary to promote administrative procedure reforms, remove difficulties and obstacles in administrative processes and procedures such as environmental impact assessment reports, granting fire prevention and fighting licenses, entry visas, work permits, etc. to create favorable conditions for businesses to invest in the semiconductor industry. The investment environment needs to be improved by provision of consistent support in timely fashion, and one-stop service. The Ministry of Planning and Investment needs to continue implementing tasks in the Semiconductor Human Resources Development Program, while promoting the establishment and development of the Investment Support Fund to attract strategic investors, especially international enterprises with advanced technology. The Ministry of Science and Technology needs to focus on developing core technologies and specialized chip products. The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs need to cooperate to advocate policies to promote the development of the semiconductor industry, including creating conditions for Vietnam to access high technology from developed countries. Localities need to select industrial parks with synchronous infrastructure, especially providing stable power supply, clean water, and wastewater treatment, creating conditions for the semiconductor industry to develop sustainably. The Ministry of Education and Training must proactively implement a program to train high-quality human resources, especially in the field of semiconductor and high-tech microchip design, and at the same time research and develop a model of linkage between the state, schools and enterprises in training. The Ministry of Finance also needs to study tax and financial incentives to support the development of the semiconductor industry, and coordinate with other ministries to improve the investment environment, reduce logistics costs and administrative procedures. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment needs to research and implement measures to exploit and use rare earths for the semiconductor industry. Other ministries and sectors such as the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Transport also need to support the development of a favorable mechanism for visa issuance, investment licensing and the development of transport infrastructure serving the semiconductor industry. All ministries, sectors and localities need to coordinate closely to build a favorable ecosystem, develop the semiconductor industry in Vietnam, thereby attracting investment, transferring technology and improving the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry in the global value chain.