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Vietnam’s strategy for semiconductors and AI in the new era

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At the AI-Semiconductor international conference’s policy forum on March 14, the world’s leading experts made important suggestions for Vietnam to affirm its position on the global technology map.

Vietnam's proactive strategy for semiconductor & AI advancement in the new era
Michael Kagan, CTO of Nvidia Corporation

Michael Kagan, chief technology officer of Nvidia Corporation declared that AI was the backbone technology of the future. This is one of the most important inventions, second only to the wheel. AI will transform and completely change human life.

The CTO said that Nvidia is investing in Vietnam by setting up an office in Hanoi and expanding the Nvidia team here. “Vietnam will be the centre of talent in AI and semiconductors in a near future,” he said.

Nvidia has great confidence in the aspirations and ambitions of the Vietnamese government. This corporation believes that its strategy is very suitable for Vietnam’s AI development strategy in the next decade. Therefore, Nvidia will realise this vision with Vietnam.

“We have also seen impressive growth, which is a result of the Vietnamese government’s forward-looking policies. We see Vietnam’s transformation as very relevant to Nvidia’s mission,” Kagan said. “We forecast the growth of this market to reach $1.5 billion in the next 10 years, which is the result of Vietnam’s effective policies.”

He saw that Vietnam possessed important capabilities such as technological acumen, a rapidly growing economy, a large and young population, and the government’s commitment to encouraging innovation.

In the future, Nvidia will carry out support initiatives on AI and semiconductor education. Nvidia is collaborating with more than 65 universities in Vietnam to integrate AI and semiconductor training programmes into schools and institutes. They also work with Vietnamese partners to create a platform to build an AI innovation ecosystem in Vietnam.

Infrastructure is also critical and essential for AI development. The Group is committed to supporting Vietnam in developing infrastructure by partnering with FPT Group. This continuous investment cooperation will enable Vietnam to become one of the largest AI and semiconductor R&D centres in the world.

“We want to become a long-term partner of Vietnam. We are here to support innovation and empower Vietnamese talent,” Kagan emphasised.

He believes this cooperation will build an infrastructure for Vietnam to master AI, data, and seize value from AI. From then, Vietnam will become an important centre in the region and rise to the top and pioneering innovation.

Vietnam's proactive strategy for semiconductor & AI advancement in the new era
Truong Gia Binh, FPT Corporation’s chairman

Truong Gia Binh, FPT Corporation’s chairman said that Vietnam had one million IT engineers, half of whom are software engineers who can be moved to AI, and is proceeding with the target of one million AI experts. If this happens, Vietnam will be at the top of the list in terms of developed countries in this area.

“Many years ago, Vietnam was almost unknown on the world IT map. Today, it has become a hub for high-quality human resources. Investors can consider Vietnam as a large talent centre, where people with aspirations and a strong spirit of progress are gathered,” he said.

With the current goals, FPT commits to transforming and training AI capacity for 500,000 people. Vietnam aims to train 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030 and will move towards hundreds of thousands of workers in the future. In the context of global investment in training semiconductor workers, FPT has committed to training 5,000 people by the end of this decade, including 1,600 students studying semiconductors.

In the past, more than a dozen leading universities have quickly opened training programmes on AI and semiconductors. FPT has prepared a force for a new generation of experts, integrating into the global technology flow. This is a gold mine waiting for international businesses to exploit.

Moreover, the Party and state leaders have issued affirmations of Vietnam’s determination to choose innovation and sci-tech, including AI and semiconductors, as the roadmap for future development.

“We are mobilising the participation of the whole of society in digital transformation activities, and technology adoption in daily life,” Binh said.

Christopher Nguyen, CEO and founder of Aitomatic spoke about the compatibility of Vietnam’s semiconductor and AI development with global trends. “Technological autonomy is the key to the strong development of Vietnam’s digital economy,” he said.

Vietnam is aiming for a new position in the international arena, opening up strategic cooperation opportunities, creating a solid foundation for the digital transformation process, grasping and mastering technologies, and achieving the goal of rapid and sustainable development in the future. This is an important step for scientists and international partners to work with Vietnamese partners to build a new era for Vietnam’s digital economy.

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IFC, SECO enhance partnership to bolster supply chain finance market in Vietnam

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The International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), has launched the second phase of its supply chain finance (SCF) programme in Vietnam.

IFC, SECO enhance partnership to bolster supply chain finance market in Vietnam

Announced on March 17, the initiative is backed by a 5 million Swiss franc grant from SECO, extending through 2029. It aims to provide more than half a million Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to up to $35 billion in working capital.

Vietnam is among the world’s most open economies, with exports contributing approximately half of the country’s GDP and supporting every second job, directly or indirectly. However, Vietnamese suppliers and exporters often face working capital constraints, as payments for delivered goods typically take 30 to 60 days. This limits their ability to accept larger orders and establish new business relationships. A recent World Bank survey found that less than one-fifth of local firms had global value chain linkages in 2023.

Better access to SCF can help address these challenges by converting sales receivables and inventories into cash, reducing funding costs, and accelerating trade cycles. It also strengthens local connections to global value chains and frees up capital for investment in research and development, technology, and workforce training.

“We estimate that the first phase of the programme has unlocked over $30 billion in capital for around half a million Vietnamese SMEs,” said Thomas Gass, Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam. “By providing financial support to these businesses, the programme has not only helped SMEs to thrive but also contributed to broader economic growth, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable marketplace.”

Launched in 2018 with SECO’s support, IFC’s Vietnam SCF Programme has worked to address key market barriers hindering the growth of SCF. Its focus has been on fostering an enabling environment, enhancing institutional readiness, and increasing market demand and awareness. Over the past five years, the programme has contributed to improvements in movable finance regulations, provided tailored SCF strategy advice to four banks, and facilitated up to $33 billion in receivables and inventory financing for 500,000 SMEs.

“The State Bank of Vietnam, in collaboration with IFC and SECO, will continue to review and adjust regulations to foster a more favourable environment for SCF. This includes refining rules for e-financing platform lending and incentivising financial institutions to diversify their offerings, ultimately improving credit access for SMEs,” said deputy governor Nguyen Ngoc Canh.

The second phase of the programme, running over the next five years, will focus on strengthening Vietnam’s legal and regulatory framework to support SCF market development. It will also enhance the institutional capacity of lenders, enabling them to offer comprehensive SCF solutions to local SMEs. A key priority will be increasing awareness and capacity among buyers and suppliers, encouraging greater adoption of SCF across Vietnam.

“Trade is a key driver of Vietnam’s economy, and it will play a central role in the country’s ambition to achieve high-income status by 2045,” said Thomas Jacobs, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. “IFC is pleased to be working with SECO and our banking partners to help develop the supply chain finance market, which is a crucial component of the financial ecosystem for SMEs.”

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Canada’s Gene Bio Medical to build production facility in Binh Dinh

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Canadian biotechnology company Gene Bio Medical (GBM) has signed an MoU with Binh Dinh Pharmaceutical – Medical Equipment JSC (BIDIPHAR) to establish a large-scale production facility in the central province of Binh Dinh.

Canada's Gene Bio Medical to build production facility in Binh Dinh
Photo: IPC Binh Dinh

The partnership aims to manufacture high-quality diagnostic test kits using Canadian technology, catering to markets in Vietnam, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

The BIDIPHAR-GBM joint venture represents an investment of $10–20 million to develop a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Binh Dinh. The collaboration underscores GBM’s commitment to global expansion and pandemic preparedness, positioning the company as a key player in next-generation diagnostics.

Among the joint venture’s key objectives are the advancement of scalable diagnostic solutions for pandemic preparedness and the pursuit of dual listings on the U.S. NASDAQ and Vietnam Stock Exchange within five years.

“Vietnam’s growing healthcare market and strategic location make it an ideal hub for our expansion,” said Jessica Hu, CEO and founder of Gene Bio Medical. “Our partnership with BIDIPHAR will leverage Canadian technology to provide affordable, high-quality diagnostic solutions across global markets. This joint venture aligns with GBM’s mission to enhance global health security through innovation and accessibility.”

GBM, headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, is recognised for its innovations in molecular diagnostics and AI-driven healthcare solutions. The company has an established distribution network across 4,900 independent pharmacies and hospitals in Canada, with its respiratory diagnostic product line expected to receive US Food and Drug Administration approval in 2025.

Binh Dinh has emerged as a premier investment destination in Vietnam, offering a range of incentives for foreign investors, including corporate income tax benefits, import tax exemptions, and land rental incentives.

“We welcome Gene Bio Medical’s investment in Binh Dinh’s biotechnology sector, a key pillar of our economic strategy,” said Lam Hai Giang, Vice Chairman of Binh Dinh People’s Committee. “The province remains committed to supporting international investors by providing world-class infrastructure and regulatory incentives.”

With strong infrastructure and investor-friendly policies, the BIDIPHAR-GBM joint venture is well-positioned for long-term success, contributing to the advancement of Vietnam’s biotechnology sector and expanding its role in the global diagnostics market.

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Start date set for Binh Duong-Ho Chi Minh City metro construction

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Binh Duong province’s first metro line, connecting Binh Duong New City to Ho Chi Minh City’s Suoi Tien, is expected to start construction in 2027 and be completed in 2031.

Start date set for Binh Duong-Ho Chi Minh City metro construction

The information was revealed in a pre-feasibility study of the project, which was approved by Binh Duong People’s Committee on March 13.

According to the study, the metro will involve S1 Station in Binh Duong New City centre, Hoa Phu ward, and Thu Dau Mot city. The ending point connects with Suoi Tien Station of Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line 1.

This line will span 32.4km, which includes a depot connecting section, and will pass through Tan Uyen, Thu Dau Mot, Thuan An, and Di An.

With an estimated investment capital of $2.52 billion, the metro line is set to feature 19 stations and with a designated speed of 120km/h.

Once completed, the venture will improve connectivity with Ho Chi Minh City, ease traffic congestion, and create growth drivers for local socioeconomic development.

Binh Duong is considering utilising official development assistance alongside budget capital to implement the construction of the first urban railway project in the locality.

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