Key Moments
- Vietnamese leaders pressed Qualcomm and Samsung to scale up investment in AI, semiconductors and R&D as part of a push to build a regional innovation hub.
- Qualcomm’s CEO said the company aimed to make its Vietnam operations its third-largest AI research and development hub worldwide.
- Samsung’s total exports from its mobile phone manufacturing operations in Vietnam reached $500 billion by the end of June, backed by $24 billion of investment to date.
Hanoi Meetings Target Deeper High-Tech Investment
HANOI, August 28 (Reuters) – Vietnam’s top leadership has called on U.S. chip design firm Qualcomm and South Korea’s Samsung Electronics to step up their commitments in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and research and development as the country works to position itself as a regional center for innovation.
At a meeting in Hanoi on Thursday, Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam urged Qualcomm Chief Executive Cristiano Amon to expand the company’s investment footprint in Vietnam across multiple advanced technology fields, according to a government statement.
Qualcomm’s AI and R&D Ambitions in Vietnam
During the discussion with Qualcomm, Lam requested increased capital and activity in areas including AI, semiconductors, robotics, 5G/6G, data centers and next-generation connectivity technologies, the statement said.
Lam noted that Vietnam was moving toward a growth strategy centered on science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, and he welcomed additional investment aligned with that direction.
Amon was quoted as saying Qualcomm wanted to develop its presence in Vietnam into the company’s third-largest artificial intelligence research and development hub globally.
The government statement added that Qualcomm already operates an R&D center in Hanoi and has worked with Vietnamese firms including Viettel and VinSmart.
| Company | Focus Areas in Vietnam | Existing Footprint |
|---|---|---|
| Qualcomm | AI, semiconductors, robotics, 5G/6G, data centers, next-gen connectivity | R&D center in Hanoi; collaborations with Viettel and VinSmart |
| Samsung Electronics | Industrial development, manufacturing, supply chain integration | $24 billion invested; $500 billion cumulative mobile phone export value |
Samsung’s Strategic Role in Vietnam’s Industrial Base
Also on Thursday, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met Samsung Electronics CEO Roh Tae-moon, telling him that Vietnam wanted Samsung to continue as a central partner in enhancing the country’s technological capabilities, building out its industrial base and integrating more deeply into global value chains, another government statement said.
Hung highlighted Samsung’s role in Vietnam’s industrialization and export performance, describing the country as one of the company’s most important global manufacturing hubs.
According to the statement, total exports from Samsung’s mobile phone manufacturing entities in Vietnam had reached $500 billion by the end of June since production began 17 years ago. The statement added that Samsung has invested $24 billion in the country so far.
Roh was quoted as saying that Samsung planned more investment and training in Vietnam, and that the company was working with the government to help local firms participate more extensively in its global supply chain.
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