Human Resource Development and Innovation Pathways in Vietnam’s Semiconductor Industry

Abstract

Vietnam is positioning its semiconductor industry as a strategic pillar for economic modernization and global value chain integration. However, the country faces a substantial skills gap: while the national target is to train 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030, current university programs only provide a fraction of that output. The shortage spans across design, packaging, and testing, compounded by insufficient faculty expertise and outdated facilities. To address these challenges, Vietnam has initiated collaborations between government, universities, and foreign investors such as Intel, Amkor, and Samsung. Yet, most partnerships remain small-scale and fragmented. International experiences from South Korea, Taiwan, Germany, and the United States demonstrate that public-private partnerships (PPP) are central to sustaining a competitive talent pipeline. By embedding enterprises into training, co-developing curricula, and linking research with industrial needs, PPP ensures both quantity and quality of human resources. This paper analyzes Vietnam’s current status, evaluates existing PPP practices, and proposes strategic recommendations to strengthen workforce development in the semiconductor sector, thereby enhancing the country’s attractiveness for high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI).