Da Nang eyes to become Viet Nam's semiconductor centre
The semiconductor industry is identified as the spearhead of Da Nang’s economic development in the new era. By 2030, Da Nang will become one of the three largest semiconductor centres in Viet Nam, with a focus on forming a network of high-quality human resource training associated with the synchronous development of the semiconductor ecosystem.
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| Representatives of the DSAC (first, right) exchange a four-party memorandum of understanding with partners on training in semiconductor microchips and AI within the framework of the The City Partnership Forum - Da Nang 2025 event. Photo: MAI QUE |
Many encouraging results in investment promotion
October 10, 2023 marked the time when Da Nang took the first step and showed its determination to develop the semiconductor industry when the Da Nang People's Committee organised a workshop on ‘Developing human resources to serve the semiconductor industry - an issue for Da Nang’. Immediately after that, in Decision No. 1287/QD-TTg dated November 2, 2023 of the Vietnamese Prime Minister approving the Da Nang Master Plan for the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision towards 2050, it was determined that high-tech industries such as microelectronics, chip technology and semiconductor microcircuits will be the key industries of Da Nang.
| By 2030, Da Nang will attract at least 5,000 high-quality human resources in the semiconductor microchip field In the 2024 - 2027 period, the city focuses on training human resources, associated with attracting foreign investment in the field of semiconductor microchip design and AI; supporting research activities, technology development, innovation at training institutions, startups, small and micro enterprises. In the 2027 - 2030 period, the city will prioritise the development of domestic enterprises and startups along with attracting investment in the field of semiconductor design; promoting investment attraction in the field of packaging and testing. By 2030, the digital economy will contribute at least 35-40% of the city’s GRDP; attracting at least 5,000 high-quality human resources in the field of semiconductors. |
Over the past year, the city has implemented specific steps to develop the semiconductor microcircuit industry, achieving initial encouraging results in promoting investment attraction, preparing infrastructure and training human resources. In 2024, the city leaders took business trips to the United States, South Korea, Cuba and the European Union.
In addition, the city participated and organised more than 20 events to introduce its great potential to relevant partners, especially notably successfully organising the Da Nang Semiconductor Day on August 29 and 30, 2024; co-chairing the forum ‘Developing the field of design, packaging and testing of microchips in Southeast Asia’ in the capital city of Ha Noi on November 8, 2024...
The city also advised and chaired the organisation of working sessions with more than 70 large organisations, corporations and related partners on cooperation in semiconductor microchips and artificial intelligence (AI) in Da Nang, including major partners such as Qualcomm Group, Marvell, Nvidia, Intel, Sovico, Oregon State University, Arizona State University (the United States)...
As a result, Da Nang signed 9 memorandums of understanding on cooperation with a number of units to develop the field of semiconductor microchips and AI, including Synopsys Company, Sovico Group, Marvell, Intel, FPT IS Company Limited, Phenikaa University Semiconductor Training Centre, Ha Noi National University Institute of Information Technology, Tecotec Group and KandH MFG.
Up to now, Da Nang has had 5 more chip design companies as compared to the end of 2023, bringing the total number of chip design enterprises to 13. Recently, Da Nang has 4 startups listed in the top 10 innovative startups in the field of semiconductor chips and AI organised by Qualcomm Group: XB Technology Co., Ltd., Alpha Asimov Robotics Co., Ltd., Vox Cool Co., Ltd., VAS High-Tech Solutions Joint Stock Company (Delta X).
Ready infrastructure, policies, human resources
Da Nang has been preparing land funds, IT, software and high-tech parks for businesses to implement projects on semiconductor chips, AI; international fiber optic cable network, electricity and traffic infrastructure, logistics fully meet the requirements of investors. In particular, on January 16, 2025, the city held the opening ceremony of the Da Nang Software Park No. 2 and put into use the ICT1 building with 8 floors, a total floor area of over 39,000m2 and an exploitation area of 21,000m2. Priority is given to strategic partners, strategic investors, small businesses, innovative enterprises in the field of semiconductors and AI.
The operation of the Da Nang Software Park No. 2 and 3 concentrated IT parks has been recognised by the national government (Da Nang Software Park, Da Nang Concentrated IT Park - Phase 1 and FPT Office Complex) and the city’s science and technology infrastructure basically meets the requirements of investors.
The city has 3 IT parks that are under implementation for the time being: the creative space project in Hoa Xuan Ward, Cam Le District with an area of 17.3ha (investment policy has been approved); Viettel Da Nang building in Hoa Cuong Bac Ward, Hai Chau District with an area of 1.07 hectares (expected to start construction in the second quarter of 2025); the Da Nang Bay IT Park in Hoa Minh Ward, Lien Chieu District with an area of 3.5 hectares (currently implementing the investment policy).
The Da Nang Software Park No. 2 is a key project in the 2021 - 2025 period to promote domestic and foreign investment attraction in the field of IT, while helping businesses quickly access the State's policies, along with supporting and incubating startups. In 2025, the city will put into two labs for training in microchip design and one lab for training in AI in the Da Nang Software Park No. 2; deploy investment to complete Phase 2 of the Da Nang Software Park No. 2 to put into use ICT2 and ICT3 buildings.
A positive signal is that on December 13, 2024, the Da Nang People’s Council passed three resolutions to develop the semiconductor industry by specifying Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 dated June 26, 2024 approved the National Assembly on the organisation of urban government and piloting specific mechanisms and policies for the Da Nang development. Specifically, Resolution No. 57/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates policies for human resource development in the field of semiconductors and AI in the city; Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND stipulating preferential policies, content and support levels for information infrastructure assets to develop the field of semiconductors and AI; procedures for receiving, managing, exploiting and operating information infrastructure assets in the city; Resolution No. 59/2024/NQ-HDND on the contents to confirm enterprises operating in the field of semiconductor microchips and AI in the city.
With a regard to human resource training, according to Mr. Le Hoang Phuc, the Director of the Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Training (DSAC), in 2025, the city will continue to deploy training courses and foster domestic and foreign source lecturers related to microchip design and packaging testing on the basis of cooperation with Synopsys Company, Arizona State University in the United States.
The city will cooperate with Microsoft Corporation (through partner Inter Edu Education Joint Stock Company) to deploy the construction of a number of Microsoft AI standard schools, cooperate with Nvidia Corporation to deploy the ‘AI Ambassador’ training program for lecturers in the city.
Reporting by MAI QUE - Translating by A.THU
