Speaking at the 2025 Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductor Conference (AISC) held in Da Nang on Saturday, Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Le Trung Chinh highlighted his city’s great opportunities and potential for the development of semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) industries.

Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Le Trung Chinh spoke at the event. Photo: M.QUE - Q.CUONG

According to Chairman Chinh, in recent years, Da Nang has achieved many important steps in economic development, especially the post-pandemic strong recovery of local tourism industry. In particular, in 2024 alone, the central coastal city welcomed more than 10.9 million tourists, including 4.1 million international visitors, up 36.3% year-on-year.

Currently, Da Nang has more than 23 international and domestic air routes, connecting directly with major economic centres such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and the United States with an average frequency of 111 flights/day, including 52 international flights and 59 domestic flights. This not only promotes the development of the local tourism industry but also facilitates investment, trade and technology activities between the city and other foreign countries.

Additionally, Da Nang has been considering the semiconductors and AI as strategic industries to position itself as the leading technology hub of Viet Nam and the region.

Programmes to support research and development of semiconductors and AI are being strongly implemented in the city, with focus on human resource training cooperation, building specific policies to support businesses, and applying technology in urban management and public administration.

The city has also promoted cooperation among the State sector, enterprises and research institutes in a bid to develop practical tech products and solutions. Notably, it has been attracting the world's leading tech corporations such as Synopsys, Marvell, Renesas, Qorvo, Nvidia, and Intel to explore investment opportunities and set up research and development offices in the locality.

He informed that one of the important driving forces promoting the city's hi-tech development is Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 dated June 26, 2024 of the Vietnamese National Assembly on organising urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of the city, with many specific policies to support businesses and investors, especially in these fields. The specific mechanisms and policies are piloted specifically for Da Nang for 5 years from January 1, 2025.

Included are key policies to attract investment and foster innovation such as exemption of corporate and personal income taxes; support for infrastructure rental and development costs; support for costs of attracting leading experts and developing human resources; and forming free trade zones and financial centres.

In the context of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, Da Nang identifies this as a great opportunity to accelerate the development of core technology industries.

The city is committed to promoting the application of science and technology in all fields, as well as creating the most favourable conditions for tech enterprises, especially those operating in the fields of microchips and AI, to develop and integrate into the global value chain.

To promote sustainable development, the city has been paying attention to three main pillars: infrastructure, human resources and policy. In term of technology infrastructure, the 1,128ha Da Nang High-Tech Park, the Software Park No. 2 with a floor area of ​​90,000m², and a number of innovation centres have been developed.

Meanwhile, intensive human resource training programmes with leading universities, and cooperation agreements with large corporations such as Synopsys, Nvidia and Intel, have been carried out. Investment incentives have been implemented synchronously to create the most favourable environment for domestic and foreign enterprises.

Moreover, Da Nang is making more efforts to boost international cooperation, and attract leading corporations to invest in the city. Aside from AI, Da Nang aims to comprehensively develop the stages of design, production, testing, and packaging of microchips, helping local businesses complete the supply chain right in the locality.

In 2024, Da Nang attracted 18 semiconductors enterprises, doubling the number of 2023. The city wishes to accompany partners to create new values, contributing to promoting the development of the semiconductors and AI industries in Viet Nam.

In the coming time, Da Nang hopes that many international enterprises and organisations will know the city as an ideal destination for investment, research, development and application of AI and semiconductors technology. With the advantages and strong commitment of the municipal government, Da Nang is ready to become the leading tech centre in the region.

Co-organised by the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and the Aitomatic organisation, AISC 2025 focused on AI-driven advancements in chip design and manufacturing, as well as the potential of advanced semiconductor architectures to power next-generation AI systems.

Under the theme "Innovating Futures: Bridging AI and Semiconductors Globally", AISC 2025 attracted leaders of central ministries and sectors, along with over 500 international delegates, including representatives from leading technology firms.

The event took place in Da Nang on March 15 and 16 with connectivity activities, roundtable discussions, thematic discussions and seminars, and field surveys.

Reporting by M.QUE, Q.CUONG - Translating by M.DUNG