At the Vietnam–Korea AI and Semiconductor Summit 2026 (VKAISS 2026), Mr. Tran Dang Hoa, Chairman of FPT IS, FPT Corporation, emphasized that FPT is prioritizing workforce development ahead of establishing the first semiconductor chip packaging and testing facility, aiming to meet the talent demands across multiple stages of the semiconductor value chain.
Speaking at the summit, Mr. Tran Trung Tinh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, emphasized that AI and semiconductors are mutually reinforcing sectors that play a critical role in Vietnam's strategy for national technological self-reliance.
According to the Deputy Minister, Vietnam's ambition extends beyond attracting investment to progressively mastering technology and participating more deeply in global value chains.
He outlined three priorities for cooperation with South Korea: moving beyond investment and manufacturing toward joint research, design, and product development; making high-quality workforce development a long-term pillar; and jointly building an open, secure, and trustworthy AI and semiconductor ecosystem.
Mr. Nguyen The Phuong, Deputy CEO of FPT Corporation, shares how FPT is progressively strengthening semiconductor chip research and design capabilities.From a business perspective, Mr. Nguyen The Phuong, Deputy CEO of FPT Corporation, noted that signing an agreement is only the starting point. The decisive factors are identifying priorities, assigning clear responsibilities, and maintaining implementation progress.
According to Mr. Phuong, the effectiveness of Vietnam–South Korea cooperation should be demonstrated through tangible outcomes, including joint research programs, workforce training aligned with practical industry needs, and the development of commercially applicable products.
FPT is progressively strengthening chip research and design capabilities, conducting trial operations at a semiconductor packaging and testing facility in Bac Ninh, and implementing workforce development programs.
Speaking at the summit, Mr. Tran Dang Hoa, Chairman of FPT IS, FPT Corporation, shared insights into FPT's semiconductor, artificial intelligence (AI), and chip technology development strategy, as well as the ambition to progressively bring “Make in Vietnam” chips to market.
Mr. Hoa emphasized that from the earliest stages of entering the semiconductor industry, FPT had set a goal of developing chips designed and controlled by Vietnamese enterprises. After approximately five years of pursuing this ambition, FPT has achieved significant progress.
The FPT IS Chairman acknowledged that semiconductors represent an industry with substantial barriers to entry, where competition is largely dominated by the world's leading technology corporations.
However, the rapid advancement of AI is creating new opportunities for countries such as Vietnam to establish a position within global semiconductor value chains.
Mr. Tran Dang Hoa, Chairman of FPT IS, FPT Corporation, at the Vietnam–Korea AI and Semiconductor Summit 2026 (VKAISS 2026).According to the FPT representative, Vietnam has achieved initial progress in developing semiconductor capabilities, from chip design and investment in research and testing facilities to the establishment of packaging and testing operations.
Mr. Hoa particularly emphasized the close relationship between AI and semiconductors, noting that chip development capabilities will play a decisive role in AI competitiveness.
“The race for AI is ultimately a race for chips. When we have the best chips, we will succeed in AI,” Mr. Hoa stated.
Accordingly, FPT is investing in both sectors simultaneously. FPT has developed hundreds of products, built a workforce of thousands of specialists, expanded international partnerships, and established two AI Factories in Vietnam and Japan.
Targeting Niche Markets to Compete in the Semiconductor Industry
In semiconductors, FPT is developing an ecosystem built around several key pillars: workforce development, research and development, integrated circuit design, packaging, and testing.
One of FPT's priority products is power management chips, which can be used across a wide range of electronic devices, from handheld devices to smart home products.
Mr. Hoa noted that FPT has developed these chips and achieved initial commercial results.
FPT is also developing chip solutions for cameras, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and control systems. According to the plans presented at the summit, several products in these categories are expected to be introduced in 2027.
FPT partners with two South Korean companies to establish a semiconductor facility in Hanoi.Beyond integrated circuit design, FPT has identified packaging and testing as strategic stages that can help expand FPT's presence in the semiconductor value chain.
According to Mr. Tran Dang Hoa, as global chip demand increases, major semiconductor companies often prioritize large manufacturers.
This creates opportunities for companies such as FPT to serve customers that need to bring products to market within shorter timeframes.
In workforce development, Vietnam aims to train at least 50,000 semiconductor professionals by 2030, with FPT aspiring to contribute approximately 10,000 professionals toward this national target.
To achieve this goal, FPT is expanding partnerships with universities and research institutions in South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, alongside developing internal training programs.
Concluding his remarks, the FPT representative expressed the hope that Vietnam–South Korea cooperation would evolve beyond investment and manufacturing into a partnership centered on joint technological development.
Through this approach, Vietnam aims to progressively master critical semiconductor technologies while contributing to the competitiveness and growth of South Korean enterprises in the global technology race.
Eight Agreements to Expand Technology and Supply Chain Cooperation
At the summit, Vietnamese and South Korean enterprises, associations, and educational institutions exchanged eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering three main areas: business and semiconductor supply chain connectivity, technology development, and workforce training.
The agreements aim to leverage complementary strengths, accelerate applied research, support product commercialization, and expand market access opportunities.
In business connectivity, the Korea AI Semiconductor Industry Association (KAISA) and the Bac Ninh Semiconductor Association established a partnership to connect South Korean semiconductor enterprises with electronics, semiconductor, and supporting industry businesses in Bac Ninh.
The two associations aim to promote trade, expert exchanges, and cooperation across chip design, manufacturing, packaging, and testing.
In semiconductor packaging and testing, FPT established partnerships with HANA Micron, Supergate, and edgeAI, helping expand the network of partners across the semiconductor supply chain.
In technology development, FPT and SKAIChips established a cooperation framework covering semiconductor and AI projects.
The two companies plan to explore combining SKAIChips' chips, circuit boards, and low-power technologies with FPT's AI models to develop practical solutions.
Potential applications include food monitoring, electronic shelf labels, asset tracking, and healthcare.
The agreement also seeks to identify customers and expand commercial opportunities in Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia.
In education, FPT Polytechnic College signed cooperation agreements with Soongsil University and EdgeAI, while the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology established a partnership with the Institute of Semiconductor Engineers (ISE) of South Korea.
These partnerships will focus on exchanges of lecturers, experts, and students; the joint development of specialized training programs; applied research initiatives; and industry-focused seminars.