Vietnam’s Semiconductor Ambitions Stall as First Chip Plant Faces 2027 Delay
Vietnam's goal to launch its first semiconductor plant by 2027 is in jeopardy as negotiations with ASML stall and construction remains at a standstill.
POLICY WIRE — Hanoi, Vietnam — Vietnam is poised to miss its ambitious 2027 deadline for launching trial production at its inaugural domestic semiconductor facility. Insiders indicate that critical negotiations to secure essential chipmaking equipment from ASML have yet to yield a formal agreement.
The project, spearheaded by the military-run Viettel Group, was intended to serve as the cornerstone of the nation’s push into upstream chip manufacturing. Despite the high-profile groundbreaking ceremony held on January 16 at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, the site remains largely undeveloped.
Recent satellite imagery captured in both January and October confirms that no physical construction has commenced at the designated location. This lack of progress on the ground, combined with the ongoing procurement hurdles, has cast significant doubt on the country’s ability to establish a functional semiconductor ecosystem within the original timeframe.
While Vietnam has long served as a vital hub for electronics assembly, the move toward domestic fabrication was designed to elevate the nation’s position in the global technology value chain. Viettel has been engaged in discussions with ASML for several months, yet the absence of a finalized deal remains a primary obstacle to the project’s advancement.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
