Opportunities for young people
At a small laboratory at the University of Technology - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, student Nguyen Minh Khang, majoring in electronics, attentively monitors the parameters displayed on the screen. It is a semiconductor chip test, a job that seems far-fetched to many people, but it is the daily "rhythm of life" of young people who are entering the industry, which is likened to the "backbone" of the digital economy.
Khang recounted that just a few years ago, he was still vague about his career path, but now everything is gradually becoming clear. "What I want to stick with the profession is to master technology, a launching pad for the future for myself and for the country. This industry is not afraid of unemployment, the starting salary is attractive and the more experience, the higher the income increases" - Khang shared.
Khang's story is not unique. It is a miniature image of a young generation of Vietnamese workers entering the semiconductor industry, a field considered the key to determining the national position in the technology era.
The semiconductor industry is growing strongly globally, leading to a sharp increase in labor demand. In Vietnam, according to statistics, about 10,000 engineers are needed each year in this field, but the current supply only meets less than 20%.
Not only lacking in quantity, the industry also requires high quality. From microchip design to packaging and testing, each stage requires in-depth knowledge, good practical skills and the ability to continuously update technology.
According to a survey by HSIA (Ho Chi Minh City Semiconductor Microchip Technology Association), the salary of microchip design engineers increases rapidly with experience. New graduates can receive about 15 million VND/month. With 1-3 years of experience, income ranges from 15-30 million VND/month. After 6 years, the average salary reaches about 0.6-1 billion VND/year and from 10 years of experience or more, it can exceed 1.5 billion VND/year.
At Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 100% of students who follow the microchip design orientation will have jobs after graduation. The starting salary ranges from 15-20 million VND/month, equivalent to the Information Technology major. However, after 5-10 years of working, the income of a microchip engineer can be one and a half times higher than the IT major.
But behind those attractive numbers is a significant pressure. "This industry is not for people who want to be "comfortable". They must study continuously, work at high intensity and accept challenges," shared a young engineer at the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park.
The first pressure is input. In 2025, the benchmark scores for majors related to microchip design and electronics - telecommunications continued to be high and there was a clear differentiation between schools. At Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the major of Microelectronics Engineering and Nanotechnology achieved 28.2 points. Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education has a major of microchip design taking up to 28.65 points.
Meanwhile, University of Science - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City recorded that the circuit design major fluctuated from 27.3 - 28.2 points and the semiconductor technology major was about 25.5 - 26.7 points depending on the admission method.
It is expected that this year's enrollment season, the microchip - semiconductor industry will continue to be in the top of high entrance scores. "In the context that the semiconductor industry is being considered the "backbone" of the digital economy, Microchip Design is not only a potential major but also a destination for those who are willing to seriously invest in the long-term future" - candidate Nguyen Thu Huong - expected to register her aspirations at the University of Science - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City said.
Ready for the future
In Vietnam, with the orientation in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, along with Decision 1131/QD-TTg dated June 12, 2025 of the Prime Minister, the semiconductor industry is receiving special attention. Policy, investment and human resources movements in the past time show the determination to participate more deeply in the global value chain of this field.
At the first meeting in 2026 of the National Steering Committee for Semiconductor Industry Development, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung assessed: "Vietnam has gone in the right direction and initially formed important foundations for developing the semiconductor industry. However, this is a very difficult field, requiring strong, synchronous and long-term solutions to be able to develop sustainably.
A bright spot in the development of semiconductor human resources in Vietnam is the change in training methods. Instead of separating theory and practice, many programs have brought businesses to directly participate in the training process.
Recently, many cooperation programs between universities and businesses have emerged. Among them, Hanoi National University of Technology - VNU has "joined hands" with international businesses to train semiconductor human resources with the VNU - Samsung Technology Track model, allowing students to access practical technology right during the learning process. From 3D packaging techniques to chip testing, learners not only "know" but also "do".
In Ho Chi Minh City, according to the 2026 plan, the city sets a target of enrolling at least 3,000 university students, 300 graduate students and 40 doctoral research students in fields related to the semiconductor industry. At the same time, striving to have at least 1,400 graduates, 110 masters and 6 doctors, gradually forming a high-quality labor force to serve this strategic industry.
In Quang Ninh, from the end of 2025, this province has approved the investment policy of the Tuan Chau concentrated digital technology zone project proposed by FPT Group according to the PPP investment model, expected to operate in the second quarter of 2027. This is expected to be a research, development and training center for semiconductor chip design human resources in the Northern region, attracting high-tech human resources. However, Quang Ninh also faces challenges when it lacks high-quality human resources to serve the development of the semiconductor industry. The whole province has about 685,000 workers, and the number of students studying near-semiconductor industries is only about 1,000 people.
Reality shows that many countries that are successful in the field of semiconductors have a common point: Investing heavily in education and developing young human resources. That is not a short-term story, but a long-term strategy.
Vietnam is facing a great opportunity to participate more deeply in the global semiconductor value chain. But the opportunity will quickly pass if there is no strong enough labor force to seize it.
In that context, the role of young workers becomes even clearer. They are not only workers, but also "architects" of the technology future.
To promote this role, a synchronous ecosystem is needed: From policies, education to businesses. In which, education must go first, businesses must accompany and the State must create conditions. In addition, the role of socio-political organizations such as the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Trade Union organization is indispensable.
