Mr.Truong Gia Binh - Chairman of Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Development Committee: Vietnam and Japan Are 'Natural Partners' in Semiconductor Industry

Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Development Committee and Chairman of FPT Corporation, emphasized that we are in an era dominated by AI and semiconductor technology. If Japan and Vietnam collaborate effectively and leverage each other's strengths, they can look forward to an auspicious future. The world needs the creativity and innovation of Japanese and Vietnamese people.

Mr. Truong Gia Binh shared these insights during the "Future of Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Conference - Opportunities and Expectations Between Vietnam and Japan in the New Era," held on July 9, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. The event was organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan in collaboration with various ministries, FPT Corporation, and SMBC Bank.

According to Mr. Truong Gia Binh, history has shown that Japan has held the top position in the semiconductor industry for 20 consecutive years, alongside rapid economic growth. However, in recent years, there has been a decline in the prominence of Japanese companies like Sony, Panasonic, and Toshiba. In contrast, companies like Samsung, Huawei, TSMC, and ASML have gained more attention. To help Japan reclaim its leading position in the semiconductor industry, Mr. Truong Gia Binh advocates for a partnership between Vietnam and Japan, emphasizing that the two countries are "natural partners" in this sector.

"With this cooperation, we can return to the golden era of past decades and lead the world again. Japan has strong potential to excel in the AI and semiconductor era. The global demand for chips, particularly AI chips, will be substantial. Our focus extends beyond just chips; it's about shaping and leading a significant part of the global economy", the Chairman stated.

Mr. Truong Gia Binh highlighted lessons from Sony's history, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation, adopting new products and practices, and restructuring the existing economy. He noted Japan's strength in hardware manufacturing, its emphasis on quality, and its meticulous culture, stating that Japan's innovation prowess poses a formidable challenge for any country seeking to compete in this arena.

Mr. Truong Gia Binh shared during the Future of Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Conference that "the world needs the creativity of Japanese and Vietnamese people."

In response to the question about Japan's future challenge regarding whom to cooperate with, Mr. Truong Gia Binh reiterated the idea of former Japanese Ambassador Umeda Kunio, emphasizing the importance of establishing a natural alliance with Vietnam. He noted that in this cooperation between the two countries, the most critical issue is human resources.

"We can establish factories in the US, Japan, or Europe, but regardless of the location, a key challenge remains a shortage of human resources. In the semiconductor and AI industries, essential talent often comes from those who share similar cultural values. Vietnam has a significant advantage, with 1 million young people entering the workforce each year and a strong drive to transform their lives. If Japan needs 1,000 or even 10,000 people to work in AI, Vietnam's semiconductor talent pool can fulfill the demands," affirmed Mr. Truong Gia Binh.

The Chairman of the Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Development Committee also proposed the idea of utilizing Japanese universities to train Vietnamese talent for Japan's AI and semiconductor industries. He suggested that the two countries could collaborate on developing platforms in education, human resources, finance, ecosystems, and cooperation strategies. By creating meaningful, globally relevant platforms from the outset, Japan and Vietnam could build an optimistic future if they are determined to pursue this path.

The "Future of Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Conference - Opportunities and Expectations Between Vietnam and Japan in the New Era" was held on July 9, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.

During the conference, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, Pham Quang Hieu, along with representatives of Vietnamese businesses in Japan and Japanese companies, listened to and agreed with Mr. Truong Gia Binh's perspective.

Delegates also discussed several key topics, including Japan's semiconductor policies, Vietnam's appeal in the global semiconductor industry, the current state and prospects in Asia, strategies to enhance international competitiveness, and Vietnam's advantages and potential within the global semiconductor value chain.

Additionally, the conference provided a forum for sharing cooperation experiences with Vietnamese businesses and explored future collaboration opportunities with strategic partners in Japan and other Asian countries.