Expanding focus on Danang's microchip industry gains traction
In the heart of Vietnam, the coastal city of Danang is making significant strides in the semiconductor industry. The city's ambitious plan, spearheaded by the Fab-Lab project, is backed by VSAP LAB, led by Nguyen Bao Anh, a former technical director of Synopsys Vietnam in Danang.
The Fab-Lab, a laboratory for the production of semiconductor packaging technology, was launched with an investment of $72 million. The initiative covers an expansive area of over 5,700 square metres, divided into a lab for research and development and a fabrication area for trial production.
Danang's vision is to train 5,000 high-quality semiconductor engineers by 2030, with a focus on 2,000 design engineers and 3,000 packaging-testing engineers. To achieve this, schools in Danang are linked with businesses such as Cadence, Synopsys, FPT, Mixel, and TreSemi, which have built labs and implemented physical design training classes with the participation of international experts.
The city's commitment to nurturing talent is evident in the financial support offered to students and experts in the semiconductor field. Students can borrow up to VND180 million ($7,200) in tuition fees, while experts receive up to VND100 million ($4,000) per month, along with housing and innovation support.
The DSAC Centre, Danang's microchip and AI research and training unit, has trained over 300 students and lecturers, organised numerous intensive classes, and supported over two dozen technology startups in chips and AI at Software Park No.2.
The city's efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Vice Chairman of Danang People's Committee, Ho Quang Buu, emphasised that creating a favourable environment for businesses, encouraging startups in the microchip sector, and boosting investment in technology infrastructure and research and development are key factors for Danang's development in the semiconductor industry.
Recognising the importance of education and industry collaboration, FPT and Marvell Vietnam are recognised as strategic partners by Danang. FPT plays a recruitment role for Marvell Vietnam and contributes to creating a bridge between schools and the market.
The University of Technology (University of Danang) will open the Microelectronics-Microchip Design major from 2024, based on the programme standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training. Vietnam-Korea University of Information Technology and Communications, University of Technical Education, Duy Tan, and Dong A universities are among those focusing on crafting high-tech workers in Danang.
After completion and operation, the Fab-Lab is expected to have a design capacity of about 10 million products annually, serving both domestic and international markets. The city's goal is to become one of the top three centres in the country in the semiconductor industry by 2030.
The Fab-Lab project, along with the city's commitment to education, infrastructure, and industry collaboration, has drawn encouragement from international figures such as US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, who encourages Vietnam, especially Danang, to participate deeply in the semiconductor industry value chain due to its rapidly developing economy, strategic location, increasingly high-quality workforce, and clear leadership vision.
Tran Dang Hoa, chairman of FPT Semiconductors at FPT Corporation, stated that Danang currently has all the conditions to take the lead in the semiconductor industry due to close coordination across state, school, and business. Secretary of Danang Party Committee Luong Nguyen Minh Triet said that VSAP Lab will be the nucleus to form a semiconductor innovation cluster in Danang.
Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung stated that Fab-Lab is a flexible coordination model between the state and enterprises. With these collaborative efforts, Danang is poised to make significant strides in the semiconductor industry, contributing to Vietnam's technological advancement.
