Báo Cáo Tổng Kết The Position of Vietnam in Semiconductor Value Chain
Báo Cáo Tổng Kết The Position of Vietnam in Semiconductor Value Chain
ABSTRACT
This research, conducted under the topic “Study about the position of Vietnam in
the semiconductor value chain: Evidence on trade,” aims to analyze and demonstrate the
position of Vietnam in the semiconductor value chain through evidence from trade data and
explain how Vietnam should implement its strategy in this context.
RStudio served as the assistance software utilized during the synthesis and data
analysis process to clean and filter the data, ensuring that only trade transactions involving
Vietnam and semiconductor-related products, as classified by the OECD semiconductor
product classification, were retained. This software was also used to calculate Trade
Performance Indicators (TPIs) and to visualize the results through charts.
As a result, the research indicates that Vietnam experiences a trade deficit in the
upstream stages of the semiconductor value chain, particularly in wafer production (Step
1) and semiconductor production (Step 2), signifying a substantial reliance on imports for
raw materials, inputs, and core components. Conversely, Vietnam achieves a significant
trade surplus in the downstream stages, specifically intermediate electronics (Step 3) and
final electronics (Step 4), underscoring its established role as a major hub for the assembly
and export of consumer electronics, notably mobile phones and communication devices.
The study concludes that while Vietnam has successfully integrated into the global
electronics manufacturing ecosystem, its position remains heavily dependent on foreign
suppliers for crucial semiconductor inputs. Besides, our group also drew some conclusions
and implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders. These recommendations can
be useful tips for a deeper understanding of Vietnam's role in this strategically important
sector.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
LIST OF TABLES 6
LIST OF FIGURES 7
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 8
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW 9
1.1. Necessity of the research 9
1.2. Research Questions and Objectives 11
1.3. Research Subject and Scope of the Research 11
1.4. Research Methodology 12
1.5. Research Structure 13
CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW 14
2.1. Conceptual framework 14
2.1.1. Semiconductors 14
2.1.2. Semiconductor Value Chain (SVC) 15
2.1.3. Semiconductor Value Chain in Trade Statistics 20
2.2. Related Research 24
2.2.1. The position of the EU in the semiconductor value chain: Evidence on trade,
foreign acquisitions, and ownership - Ciani, Andrea; Nardo, Michela (2022) 25
2.2.2. China’s interdependent positioning in the semiconductor global value chain -
Grimes and Debin Du (2024) 26
2.2.3. Taiwan and the global semiconductor supply chain - Tung, Chen-Yuan (2024)
27
2.2.4. Analyzing South Korea’s Semiconductor Industry: Trade Dynamics and Global
Position- Hyung-gon JEONG (2024) 28
2.2.5. Vulnerabilities in the semiconductor supply chain, OECD Science, Technology
and Industry Working Papers (2023) 29
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1. Total Average Export and Import Value, Trade Balance of Each Step ............
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1. The Semiconductor Value Chain spans a great number of specialised tasks ......
Figure 2.4. Goods classification for the semiconductor value chain .....................................
Figure 4.1. Export and Import Shares in Global Semiconductor Trade, Avg 2014-2023 .........
Figure 4.2. Top 10 Exporters in Each Semiconductor Value Chain Step .................................
Figure 4.3. Top 10 Importers in Each Semiconductor Value Chain Step .................................
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
3 HS Harmonized System
5 IC Integrated circuit
7 IP Intellectual property
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
That is the general situation all over the world, but in Vietnam, the semiconductor
industry is still in its infancy. The Government has introduced many preferential policies
to attract foreign investment, especially in the field of high technology. At the end of
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September 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Decision 1018/QD-TTg,
promulgating Vietnam's Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030 and Vision
2050, showing Vietnam's high determination in the process of integrating into the global
semiconductor supply chain. Besides, the movement of semiconductor giants into Vietnam
(Samsung, Amkor, Nvidia, Qualcomm) and new advances of domestic technology
corporations such as FPT and Viettel in chip design activities show that Vietnam has a lot
of potential to develop the semiconductor industry. According to Guotai Junan Securities
(VN) Research, the revenue in the Semiconductors market of Vietnam is projected to reach
18.23 billion USD in 2024 and is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-
2029) of 11.48%, resulting in a market volume of 31.39 billion USD by 2029. They also
believe that the prospects for developing Vietnam's chip and semiconductor industry are
still very open thanks to Vietnam's outstanding advantages, including strategic
geographical location and the improving internal strength of the economy, a large &
growing high-quality workforce, large rare earth reserves, and Government policies to
promote the semiconductor industry. However, research on semiconductors in Vietnam is
relatively limited, especially in the global value chain (GVC), so the gaps in the research are
hard to avoid in which the research real situation is still limited, mainly a general prediction
about the development potential of Vietnam's semiconductor industry. The analysis is
limited to theoretical scope and has not been conducted on actual data, so the reliability of
the current situation has not been fully reflected. There are still no official studies on the
position of Vietnam in the global semiconductor value chain (SVC). This is a completely
new topic that has created the motivation for our group to choose this topic for research.
For the above reasons, we choose the topic "The position of Vietnam in the
semiconductor value chain: Evidence on trade" to explore the real position of Vietnam in
the global semiconductor value chain. What is Vietnam's position in the trade balance in
each supply chain of semiconductor devices? Also, it will explain the underlying drivers of
Vietnam’s trade surplus or deficit in each of those supply chains. From there, it will serve
as a scientific and reliable basis for organizations and managers of related businesses to
have more insights about the overview of Vietnam’s real position and develop strategies to
further develop the Semiconductor market in Vietnam as well as to export semiconductor
products to foreign markets.
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From the problems presented, the research team posed the following questions:
2. What are the key factors driving Vietnam’s trade surplus and deficit in each
segment of the semiconductor value chain?
3. On that basis, what are the strategic recommendations that could enhance
Vietnam’s integration in the semiconductor value chain?
Correlated with the research question, the research paper is conducted with the
following three objectives:
- Data Source: The primary source of this research is the BACI (Base d’Analyse du
Commerce International) database, developed by CEPII (Centre d'Études Prospectives et
d'Informations Internationales), which serves as the primary data source for this research.
This database is built upon UN Comtrade data but has undergone additional reconciliation
to ensure consistency between export and import records for each trade flow.
- Regarding the geographical range: This study only focuses on Vietnam as the
primary subject.
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- Execution time: This study is observing the market and was conducted from
December 2024 to March 2025 in Vietnam.
(1) Data Collection: The dataset is sourced from BACI, which provides detailed
bilateral trade statistics at the 4-digit and 6-digit HS code levels of all countries in the world
for the period 2014–2023. The extracted variables include export/import country names,
trade year, product classifications, export values, and global trade data. The dataset ensures
comprehensive coverage of Vietnam’s trade activities in semiconductor-related products.
(2) Data Processing: To refine the dataset, only transactions involving Vietnam and
semiconductor-related products—as classified by the OECD semiconductor product
classification—were retained. The data underwent a cleaning and filtering process using
RStudio, ensuring that only relevant HS codes related to the semiconductor value chain step
were included.
(3) Data Analysis: The research employs a three-tiered analytical approach to assess
Vietnam’s semiconductor trade position: 1) Value Chain Step-Level Analysis: Aggregating
export/import values across different stages of the semiconductor value chain. 2) Product
Group-Level Analysis: Assessing trade performance within key semiconductor product
categories, including growth trends via Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). 3) HS
Code-Level Assessment: Evaluating the highest contributing products within each value
chain step to determine Vietnam’s strengths and dependencies.
(4) Data Visualization: Key findings are visualized using bar and line charts in
RStudio, providing a clear representation of trade values, trends, and growth patterns from
2014 to 2023. A combination of bar charts for total export/import values and line charts for
CAGR trends ensures the effective interpretation of Vietnam’s semiconductor trade
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position. This structured approach ensures that Vietnam’s role in the global semiconductor
supply chain is analyzed comprehensively, enabling data-driven insights for policy
recommendations and strategic positioning.
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), in its 2018 report “Beyond Borders:
The Global Semiconductor Value Chain”, indicates that the key types of semiconductor
devices are: 1. Integrated Circuits (ICs): An integrated circuit is an arrangement of electrical
circuits and components including resistors, capacitors, diodes, and transistors, which are
directly embedded onto the surface of the semiconductor chip. Used in nearly all electronic
devices today, ICs can be subdivided into three categories:
convert analog (i.e., continuous) information into a digital format (0s and 1s) and vice versa.
When recording a song to an MP3 player, for example, the song (continuous audio
information) is converted to digital form for storage, then converted back to analog form to
listen to it. 2. Discrete Semiconductors: These are single individual semiconductors used in
electronic devices primarily to control electric current. Types include transistors, rectifiers,
and diodes. 3. Optoelectronics and sensors: These semiconductors are mainly used for
generating or sensing light, for example, in traffic lights or cameras.
Chapter 85: Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders
and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and
accessories of such articles.
Chapter 84: Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the
manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic
integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 11 (C)
to this Chapter; parts and accessories.
Chapter 27: Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous
substances; mineral waxes.
Akhil Thadani and Gregory C. Allen (2023) described the semiconductor value
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Figure 2.1: The semiconductor value chain spans a great number of specialized tasks
- Chip Design: This highly knowledge- and skill-intensive stage involves engineers
utilizing computer-aided design (CAD) software, also known as Electronic Design
Automation (EDA) tools, to develop intricate blueprints of integrated circuits. The output
is a code file containing comprehensive specifications for semiconductor fabrication. Key
inputs at this stage include intellectual property (IP) cores and specialized EDA software.
Jan-Peter Kleinhans & Dr. Nurzat Baisakova divided the value chain for the
production of semiconductors into three core stages: design, fabrication, assembly test, and
package (Figure 1). Each stage relies on specific inputs from suppliers and contributes to
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They also revealed that the semiconductor value chain is defined by high divisions
of labor, highly concentrated niche markets, and pressure to constantly innovate and invest.
No country currently has the entire production stack in its territory. Instead, the
semiconductor value chain relies mainly on collaboration and trade between the United
States, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Europe, and China. Specifically, according to SIA
(2016), Canada, European countries, and the United States tend to specialize in
semiconductor design, along with high-end manufacturing. Japan, the United States, and
some European countries specialize in supplying equipment and raw materials. China,
Taiwan, Malaysia, and other Asian countries tend to specialize in manufacturing,
assembling, testing, and packaging. Canada, China, Germany, India, Israel, Singapore,
South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States are all major hubs for
semiconductor R&D. As a result, the semiconductor value chain is highly innovative and
efficient but not resilient.
Figure 2.2: Simplified Depiction of the Semiconductor Value Chain
Source: Akhil Thadani and Gregory C. Allen, Mapping the Semiconductor Supply Chain
The value chain starts with the design stage, where a blueprint of a chip’s
architecture is sketched out to optimize for certain parameters, including cost, power
consumption, and capacity, based on the needs of the chip in question. Originally, chip
designs were hand-drawn on individual sheets of paper. But as the number of transistors on
a single semiconductor grew to hundreds of thousands, and eventually hundreds of billions,
highly specialized software became necessary to manage the resulting set of complex
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interactions and layers. Certain portions of a chip’s design are built using reusable pieces
of intellectual property (IP), called core IP, that firms license to lessen the burden of the
design process. The design segment includes precompetitive research, design automation
software known as electronic design automation (EDA), and core IP (Kleinhans and
Baisakova 2023).
The next stage of the value chain is devoted to manufacturing chips, which takes
place in “foundries” or “fabs”. This stage consists of printing (or “etching”) the integrated
circuit designed in the previous stage on a silicon wafer. Fabrication/foundry relies on a
large number of complex advanced manufacturing processes, representing about one-
quarter of the value added to semiconductors but almost two-thirds of the physical capital
expenditure (OECD Science 2023).
Foundries receive inputs from other companies. Among them are the suppliers of
raw materials and the suppliers of semiconductors manufacturing equipment (SME).
Suppliers of raw materials to foundries produce chemical products and/or wafers of
different diameters, which are employed in the lithography process done at foundries.
Silicon wafers are largely employed in the production process, but gallium arsenide (GaAs),
gallium nitride (GaN), and silicon carbide (SiC) wafers are also used for specific
applications. In most cases, the suppliers of raw materials and basic chemicals operate in
the production of inputs for other manufacturing industries (Goodman et al., 2019).
Equipment suppliers manufacture the machines, often automated, employed to produce
semiconductors. Different types of equipment are needed to manufacture integrated
circuits, while even the largest companies in this segment focus their output on machines
for specific phases of the production process (e.g., etching, dying, and testing). The most
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advanced machines for the production of chips, which rely on extreme ultraviolet
lithography technology, are traded for values in the order of a hundred million euros (Ciani
et al., 2022).
The last stage of the value chain is assembling, testing, and packaging of chips. This
stage involves slicing the wafers into individual chips, packaging the chips into frames or
resin shells, and testing them. Assembly, test, and packaging are less skill- and knowledge-
intensive than the core upstream stages, representing only about 5% of the semiconductor
value added but 10-15% of physical capital expenditure (OECD Science 2023). This
segment is characterized by the presence of outsourced semiconductor assembly and test
(OSAT) companies and is more labor-intensive than capital-intensive, contrary to the
preceding segments of the production chain. OSAT companies receive as inputs the
machines for the testing, cutting, and assembly of chips, as well as the lead frames and the
packaging materials. These last stages of the production process can also be done internally
in companies manufacturing chips (Ciani et al., 2022).
The value chain also sees the presence of Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs),
which are companies that integrate the three core production stages: the design, the
manufacturing, and the assembling, testing, and packaging of semiconductor devices, while
others are specialized in a single stage.
The Semiconductor Value Chain can also be analyzed through the lens of trade
statistics. Even though understanding the value chain through trade statistics presents
significant challenges due to the limitations of existing trade measurement methods whether
measured in gross or in value-added terms as in the Trade in Value Added (TiVA)
database—conventional trade statistics do not readily capture the different stages of the
semiconductor production process, OECD’s report “Measuring Distortions in International
Markets: The Semiconductor Value Chain” proposes a framework for analyzing goods
trade to analyzing semiconductor-related trade flows by categorizing trade activities into
four distinct steps within the semiconductor value chain (Figure 2.2), allowing for a more
granular understanding of trade flows at different stages of the value chain.
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Wafer Production: This step involves the production of silicon wafers, which serve
as the fundamental material for semiconductor manufacturing. It requires raw materials
such as silicon and inputs such as photographic sheets. The manufacturing process relies
on specialized machinery designed to produce and measure wafers.
To systematically analyze trade flows within the semiconductor value chain, the
OECD’s framework identifies key raw materials (where applicable), intermediate inputs,
production equipment, and final outputs for each step. This classification method is based
on country-level studies conducted by Duke University’s Global Value Chains Center,
which provides a structured mapping of the electronics value chain. The OECD report’s
technical appendix specifies the Harmonized System (HS) codes associated with each stage
(shown in Figure 2.3), allowing for a more granular examination of trade patterns.
Source: Annex A. Technical appendix, OECD TRADE POLICY PAPER N°234 © OECD 2019
There have been several foreign research articles on the position of a country in the
semiconductor value chain or empirical studies of semiconductor trade flows of different
researchers around the world. Here are some specific research articles on this topic:
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2.2.1. The position of the EU in the semiconductor value chain: Evidence on trade,
foreign acquisitions, and ownership - Ciani, Andrea; Nardo, Michela (2022)
This research is to learn about the European Union's (EU) position in the global
semiconductor value chain, focusing on trade dynamics, foreign acquisitions, and
ownership structures. EU countries increased their integration into the world value chain of
electrical and optical equipment, the sector to which semiconductors belong, over the period
2007-2019 due to an increased reliance on imports of intermediates (i.e., backward
integration) from China, Taiwan, and South Korea, observed from 2016 onwards.
The study uses product-level trade data from Comext, firm-level ownership data
from Orbis-BvD, and foreign direct investment (FDI) data from Zephyr-BvD to assess the
EU’s trade balance, foreign acquisitions, and ownership structures in the semiconductor
sector.
Research shows the EU's strengths lie in upstream segments of the value chain,
particularly in the supply of chemicals, gases, and manufacturing equipment. EU
companies account for 34% of the global turnover in chemical and gas supplies for
semiconductor production and 27% of turnover in semiconductor manufacturing
equipment, closely trailing U.S. firms. However, the EU's presence in downstream
segments, such as chip production and design, is negligible, with Taiwanese and South
Korean firms leading in foundries and U.S. companies dominating fabless design. This
finding aligns with earlier research by De Jong (2020) and Kleinhans and Baisakova (2020),
who emphasize the EU's strengths in input supply but limited presence in advanced
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manufacturing and design. From there, making many recommendations for policymakers
and related businesses.
However, the research paper still has many limitations. There is an absence of basic
research related to semiconductors done in universities or other public/private entities. In
addition, the analysis has uneven coverage across jurisdictions, with richer data for Europe
compared to the US and China. This limits the ability to draw a comprehensive global
comparison.
lacks a detailed breakdown of China’s semiconductor value chain segments, treating the
industry as a whole rather than analyzing specific roles in chip design, wafer fabrication,
ATP, and semiconductor equipment production. This makes it difficult to compare China’s
experience with other nations’ current semiconductor development stages.
2.2.3. Taiwan and the global semiconductor supply chain - Tung, Chen-Yuan (2024)
This research paper provides valuable insights into how Taiwan’s semiconductor
industry has achieved a dominant position, highlighting the significance of a strong
domestic ecosystem, government support, and global integration.
The study utilizes trade data from UN Comtrade and Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign
Trade to analyze Taiwan’s semiconductor exports, imports, and supply chain linkages. It
also examines policy shifts in major economies to assess their impact on Taiwan’s
semiconductor industry.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has identified three key areas for
international collaboration in the semiconductor industry: (1) joining Taiwan’s core cluster,
(2) exploring the growing market for semiconductor equipment and materials, and (3)
establishing operations and research centers to tap into the fast-growing Asian market.
2.2.4. Analyzing South Korea’s Semiconductor Industry: Trade Dynamics and Global
Position- Hyung-gon JEONG (2024)
The study explores how South Korea, deeply integrated with China in the
semiconductor value chain, faces increasing challenges due to the restructuring of global
supply chains and growing self-sufficiency efforts by major economies like the U.S., China,
and Japan.
The report’s finding is that South Korea’s dependence on China, which absorbs
35.8% of its semiconductor exports and supplies 25.3% of its imports. This reliance exposes
the industry to geopolitical risks, particularly from U.S. sanctions on Chinese technology
firms. Additionally, South Korea faces trade deficits in semiconductor equipment, relying
heavily on Japan, the Netherlands, and the U.S. for advanced manufacturing tools.
The study employs detailed trade data from the Korea Customs Service (2019–2023)
and classifies 381 semiconductor-related products under the 10-digit Harmonized System
(HS). It integrates UN Comtrade data to assess South Korea’s semiconductor trade flows
and market position. This structured approach provides valuable insights into South
Korea’s semiconductor value chain, particularly in tracking export concentration and
supply chain vulnerabilities.
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Despite its depth, Jeong (2024) has several key limitations: It lacks historical insights
into how South Korea developed its semiconductor industry, limiting its usefulness for
countries looking to replicate its success.
Secondly, it does not fully differentiate between key stages of the semiconductor
value chain. While it categorizes semiconductors into memory, system, and equipment, it
does not analyze South Korea’s positioning across wafer fabrication, chip design, and ATP
(assembly, testing, and packaging). This omission makes it difficult to assess which parts
of the value chain are most vulnerable to foreign dependence.
Another key insight is that semiconductors contribute 8% of the total value in ICT
and electronics industries—higher than even primary energy sources. This underscores the
critical role of semiconductors in global manufacturing, particularly in automobiles,
consumer electronics, and telecommunications.
fabrication equipment).
Despite offering valuable insights, the OECD (2023) study exhibits several notable
limitations. One of the most significant drawbacks of the study is its reliance on ICIO data
from 1995 to 2018. Given the rapid changes in the semiconductor industry, the exclusion
of more recent trade data limits the study’s ability to capture post-2018 trends.
Finally, the study does not sufficiently differentiate between key stages of the
semiconductor value chain. While it acknowledges the importance of the sector, it does not
distinguish between chip design, wafer fabrication, ATP, and semiconductor equipment
manufacturing. This omission makes it difficult to assess the role of Vietnam, which is
primarily engaged in ATP rather than high-value segments like design and fabrication.
Research on China and South Korea highlights the challenges faced by latecomer
countries in moving up the value chain, particularly in accessing higher value-added
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segments like design and advanced manufacturing. This mirrors Vietnam’s current position
and its aspirations to enhance its role in the semiconductor industry. Studies on Taiwan and
South Korea emphasize the critical role of government policies, R&D investment, and
industry-academia collaboration in fostering semiconductor industry growth. This aligns
with our objective of proposing strategic recommendations for Vietnam’s integration into
the semiconductor value chain.
However, previous studies have only looked at discussing supply chain resilience
and often focus on existing industry leaders such as the U.S., Taiwan, South Korea, China,
and Japan, with limited exploration of emerging players like Vietnam and their potential to
integrate into the global ecosystem. This creates a gap in understanding how smaller or
developing economies can effectively integrate into the semiconductor industry or
transition from low-value ATP activities to higher-value segments, such as chip design and
wafer fabrication. Since then, we have found our direction to develop this research.
Therefore, our team believes that this research topic will be different from previous
studies in considering the role of emerging economies like Vietnam in the global
semiconductor value chain. From there, readers will have a more intuitive view of
Vietnam’s current standing in the global semiconductor value chain. This approach will not
only fill a critical gap in the existing literature but also offer practical recommendations for
policymakers and industry stakeholders to strengthen Vietnam’s position in this
strategically important sector.
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Quantitative
Research Data Collection
Data Processing
Data Analysis
The initial input dataset used in this study was collected from BACI, which provides
detailed bilateral trade statistics at both the 4-digit and 6-digit HS code levels for all
countries worldwide from 2014 to 2023.
To ensure the relevance of the dataset for analyzing Vietnam’s position in the
semiconductor value chain, the raw trade data underwent a data cleaning and filtering
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The selected HS codes are shown in Table 3.2. This refined dataset enables a more
precise assessment of Vietnam's role within the global semiconductor supply chain by
focusing exclusively on relevant product categories.
HS Code Description
280461 Silicon high purity
284920 Silicon carbide
282560 Germanium
370130 Photographic plates and film
370199 Photographic plates and film
370790 Photographic goods
811290 Gallium Arsenide
848610 Machines for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers
848690 Parts and accessories
903082 Instrument for measuring or checking semiconductor wafers or devices
903141 Optical instruments for inspecting semiconductor wafers
381800 Silicon wafers
900120 Sheets of semiconductor
900190 Lenses for semiconductor
900211 Objective lenses
900220 Optical filters
900290 Mirrors
901210 Electron microscopes for semiconductor inspection
901290 Parts of electron microscopes
903082 Instruments for measuring semiconductor devices
903141 Optical instruments inspecting semiconductor devices
841459 Fans for cooling microprocessors
841950 Heat exchange units
842121 Liquid filtering or purifying machinery
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903290
Regulating or controlling instruments
903300
8473 Machinery; parts and accessories
851761 Base stations
851762
Communication apparatus
851769
851890 Microphones, headphones, earphones, amplifier
852290 Sound or video recording apparatus
852990 Transmission apparatus
900690 Photographic flashlight apparatus
Computers and office
8470 Calculating machines
8471 Automatic data processing machines
8472 Office machines; not elsewhere classified
Industrial equipment
8526 Radar apparatus, radio navigational
9014
Navigational instruments
9022
9027 Gas or smoke analysis apparatus, for physical or chemical analysis
9028 Meters; gas, supply
9029 Meters and counters
9030 Instruments for measuring or detecting ionizing radiations
851712 Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks
851718 Telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1
Apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data,
851770 via
85181 Microphones and stands therefor
852580 Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television
8528 Monitors and projectors, not incorporating television reception apparatus
9006 Cameras, photographic
950430
Games; video game consoles and machines
950450
Once the dataset was processed, key Trade Performance Indicators (TPIs) were
computed to assess Vietnam’s trade position within the semiconductor value chain. The
analysis was conducted in a three-tiered approach:
Computation of total average export and import values for product groups
within each value chain step, aggregated annually from 2014 to 2023.
3. HS Code-Level Assessment
1. The computation of the total export and import values for each selected HS
code was aggregated annually from 2014 to 2023.
2. The average total export and import values of each selected HS code were
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3. The CAGR was calculated for each selected HS code to assess long-term
trade growth trends and identify high-growth segments within Vietnam’s
semiconductor trade.
The next section will detail the methodologies and formulas applied to compute
these trade indicators.
Only 6-digit HS codes were retained for analysis. The total average export
and import values of all selected HS codes within each Value Chain Step
were computed for the entire period 2014–2023, using the formula:
where:
Avg Export and Avg Import are the annual average export/import values for
each HS code over 2014–2023.
The Trade Balance for each Value Chain Step was derived by computing the
difference between total exports and total imports:
First, all HS codes classified under Steps were filtered based on the OECD-defined
semiconductor product list. The selected HS codes were then grouped into four distinct
categories within each step: Step 1: Wafer Production (Raw Materials, Inputs, Equipment,
Outputs); Step 2: Semiconductor Production (Inputs, Equipment, Outputs); Step 3:
Intermediate Electronics (Inputs, Output 1: Intermediate Industry, Output 2: Intermediate
Consumer); Step 4: Final Electronics (Output 1: Final Industry, Output 2: Final Consumer).
For each product category, the following calculations were then applied:
The average total export and import values of all selected HS codes were
computed over the period 2014–2023 using the following formulas:
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where:
Avg Export and Avg Import represent the annual average export/import
values for each HS code over 2014–2023.
For each product category, the average CAGR across all included HS codes
was calculated for both exports and imports using the formula:
Within each value chain step, the product category with the highest trade value share
was identified. Only HS codes belonging to this selected category were retained for further
analysis, based on the OECD semiconductor product classification.
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For each HS code in the selected product category, the following calculations were
then applied:
1. Comparison of the average total export and import values of each HS code
were computed for the entire period 2014–2023, which have been pre-
calculated in the Preliminary Trade Data Aggregation.
To assess the relative importance of each HS code within the selected product
category, the percentage contribution to the total export and import values
was calculated as follows:
Appropriate chart types were selected to effectively represent the trade patterns and
trends. Mostly a combination of bar and line charts to illustrate trade values and growth
trends simultaneously. Bar charts were used to represent the average total export and import
values. Line charts were overlaid to display the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)
of both exports and imports over the period 2014–2023. Custom color schemes were
applied to distinguish between different trade indicators. Titles, subtitles, and axis labels
were added for clarity.
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This section presents findings from the Value Chain Step-Level Analysis, which
evaluates Vietnam’s trade performance across different stages of the semiconductor value
chain. The results are derived from the average total export and import values over the
period 2014–2023, as well as the corresponding trade balance for each stage. Table 4.1
provides detailed numerical results. However, before delving into the step-level assessment,
it is crucial to first examine Vietnam’s overall integration into the global semiconductor
value chain to extract some first insights.
At the global level, as illustrated in Figure 4.1, the semiconductor trade remains
highly concentrated among a few dominant economies, with China, Taiwan, South Korea,
and the United States leading both exports and imports. Between 2014 and 2023, China
accounted for 29.24% of global semiconductor exports, followed by Taiwan (10.29%),
South Korea (8.85%), and the United States (6.64%). On the import side, Hong Kong SAR
was the largest market, accounting for 14.34%, followed by China (13.8%) and the United
States (11.8%).
Figure 4.1: Export and Import Shares in Global Semiconductor Trade, Avg 2014-2023
Export and Import Shares of Countries in Global Semiconductor Trade
Shares of world exports (left) and imports (right) in value, %, average 2014−2023 data
Within this global landscape, Vietnam emerged as a notable player with an average
export share of 5.24% and an import share of 2.91% from 2014 to 2023, positioning
Vietnam among the top ten semiconductor-exporting nations. This trade pattern suggests
that Vietnam has been increasingly integrated into the global semiconductor supply chain.
However, a high export share alone does not necessarily imply strong domestic
semiconductor production capabilities. The data does not provide direct evidence of
Vietnam’s involvement in high-value-added activities such as wafer fabrication and chip
design, which require advanced technological capabilities and capital-intensive
infrastructure. Instead, the country’s trade structure raises the possibility that Vietnam’s
role is predominantly centered around lower-value segments of the supply chain, such as
assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP)—a common entry point for emerging economies
in the semiconductor industry.
Furthermore, while Vietnam’s export share significantly exceeds its import share,
suggesting an export-driven production model, this does not inherently indicate the
existence of a fully developed domestic semiconductor ecosystem. The observed trade
surplus may reflect the presence of foreign direct investment (FDI)-led manufacturing,
where multinational corporations leverage Vietnam as a production hub while critical
upstream processes—such as raw material sourcing, wafer fabrication, and chip design—
remain concentrated in other countries. This quantitative overview establishes a foundation
for further investigation into Vietnam’s specific role at different stages of the
semiconductor supply chain, providing a necessary context for evaluating its position in the
global value chain.
Electronics Products).
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15
Step_3 Step_4
China China
Japan Japan
USA USA
Viet Nam Viet Nam
Taiwan Taiwan
Rep. of Korea Rep. of Korea
Mexico Germany
Malaysia Netherlands
Germany United Arab Emirates
Netherlands China, Hong Kong SAR
0 10 20 30 0 20 40
Export Share (%)
Figure 4.2 displays the top 10 exporters in each step of the semiconductor value
chain. No presence in Step 1 confirms that Vietnam does not participate in the earliest stage
of semiconductor manufacturing, which is dominated by countries such as Japan, the United
States, South Korea, and Taiwan—all of which have advanced capabilities in wafer
production and raw material processing. In Step 2, which involves wafer processing and
chip manufacturing, remains concentrated in Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and
China. Vietnam’s absence in this category underscores its lack of advanced fabrication
infrastructure and technological capacity for chip production. Vietnam appears in Step 3
and Step 4 Vietnam appears in these stages, indicating that its semiconductor trade activity
is closely linked to downstream electronics manufacturing rather than core semiconductor
production.
45
0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20
Step_3 Step_4
China China
USA USA
China, Hong Kong SAR China, Hong Kong SAR
Singapore Rep. of Korea
Rep. of Korea Japan
Japan Germany
Germany United Arab Emirates
Mexico Viet Nam
Netherlands United Kingdom
United Kingdom India
0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15
Import Share (%)
Figure 4.3 presents the top 10 importers across the same value chain steps. Unlike
key semiconductor-producing countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, and the United
States, Vietnam does not feature prominently in the import of raw wafers or semiconductor
fabrication equipment. This suggests that Vietnam does not host large-scale wafer
fabrication plants, further reinforcing the notion that its role is limited to the later stages of
the supply chain. Vietnam imports significant amounts of semiconductors for use in
intermediate and final electronic products. This is consistent with the presence of major
multinational electronics manufacturers operating in Vietnam, such as Samsung and Intel,
which depend on imported chips for local assembly and testing processes.
This import-export pattern highlights Vietnam’s varying role across different steps
of the semiconductor production process. Specifically, Vietnam exhibits a trade deficit in
the upstream stages of semiconductor production while achieving a trade surplus in
downstream stages (Figure 4.4).
46
40
Surplus
Billion USD
Deficit
20
Export
Import
To better understand these dynamics, Table 4.1 presents the total average export and
import values, along with the corresponding trade balance, for each stage of the
semiconductor value chain.
Table 4.1: Total Average Export and Import value, Trade Balance of Each Step
Total Average Export Total Average Import Trade Balance
Step
(Billion USD) (Billion USD) (Billion USD)
1 0.4031325 1.038322 -0.6351892
2 19.5296486 28.151280 -8.6216313
3 17.0243154 6.089054 10.9352612
4 55.6914544 16.133686 39.5577687
Looking at Vietnam’s total trade performance across the four semiconductor value
chain steps, the country recorded an average total export value of $92.65 billion and an
average total import value of $51.41 billion over the 2014–2023 period. This resulted in an
47
overall trade surplus of $41.24 billion, highlighting Vietnam’s strong position as a net
exporter of semiconductor-related products. However, the figures confirm that Vietnam’s
strength in the semiconductor value chain lies primarily in downstream activities such as
electronic assembly and testing, rather than in core semiconductor manufacturing.
In Step 1: the production of silicon wafers, Vietnam plays a negligible role in wafer
production, with exports valued at only $0.4 billion while imports reached $1.04 billion.
This resulted in a trade deficit of -$0.64 billion. Wafer production is a highly specialized
and capital-intensive process dominated by countries such as Taiwan, Korean, Japan, and
China. According to the Global Wafer Capacity Report 2021-2025, as of December 2020,
Taiwan led the global wafer capacity with a 21.4% share, followed by South Korea (20.4%),
while Japan and China each held approximately 15.3%. Vietnam’s minimal participation
in this stage suggests a lack of domestic production capabilities and heavy reliance on
imported silicon wafers for downstream manufacturing.
This section presents the findings of the Product Group-Level Analysis for Step 1:
Wafer Production, which evaluates Vietnam’s trade performance across different product
categories. The full dataset with numerical details is provided in Table 4.2, and the
visualized result is shown on Figure 4.5.
Table 4.2: Trade Data in Step 1
Raw material exports remain negligible, with an average of only $0.028 billion,
while imports are significantly higher at $0.207 billion. The compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of exports has been negative at -45.25%, indicating a decline in Vietnam’s raw
material exports over time. Meanwhile, imports have surged with a CAGR of +43.36%,
49
Similar to raw materials, Vietnam faces a trade deficit in semiconductor inputs. The
country exported an average of $0.027 billion while importing $0.081 billion. The CAGR
of exports stands at -18.24%, showing a downward trend, whereas imports have grown at
a rate of +8.08%. This reflects Vietnam’s reliance on external sources for essential
semiconductor inputs required in wafer production.
Wafer production equipment has seen a modest export increase, with an average
export value of $0.087 billion and a CAGR of +4.34%. However, imports have grown more
rapidly, reaching an average of $0.182 billion, with a higher CAGR of +17.19%. This
highlights Vietnam’s role as a consumer rather than a producer of advanced semiconductor
manufacturing equipment.
Among all categories, wafer outputs show the most promising growth. Exports in
this category have reached an average of $0.139 billion, with an impressive CAGR of
+97.56%. This indicates Vietnam’s growing capability in certain aspects of wafer
production. However, imports remain substantially higher at $0.455 billion, with a CAGR
of +58.88%. While the country is improving in exporting wafer-related outputs, it still relies
heavily on imported products to meet domestic demand.
50
0.5
CAGR Export
CAGR Import
Total_Export
0.0
Total_Import
−0.5
Raw Material Inputs Equipment Outputs
Product Category
CAGR trends highlight that, despite positive growth in output exports, Vietnam
remains far from self-sufficiency in wafer production. The steady increase in imports across
all categories, particularly in raw materials and equipment, further supports the notion that
Vietnam is dependent on external sources for the majority of its semiconductor
manufacturing needs.
This section presents the findings of the Product Group-Level Analysis for Step 2:
Semiconductor Production, focusing on Vietnam’s trade performance across different
product categories. The numerical results are summarized in Table 4.3, and the visualized
51
account for the largest trade volume within this step. Vietnam’s exports in this category
reached an average of $18.73 billion, while imports stood higher at $26.03 billion. Exports
have grown at a strong CAGR of +13.7%, whereas imports have increased at +10.7%. This
suggests that while Vietnam is improving its capacity to export semiconductor outputs,
domestic demand for semiconductor components in its electronics manufacturing sector
remains high, driving substantial import volumes.
75
20 CAGR Export
Billion USD
CAGR (%)
CAGR Import
50
Total_Export
10
Total_Import
25
0 0
In visualized data, we can see that Imports remain significantly higher than exports
across all product categories, reinforcing Vietnam’s reliance on foreign suppliers for
semiconductor fabrication. The largest trade volume occurs in semiconductor outputs,
highlighting the importance of semiconductor fabrication to Vietnam’s broader electronics
industry.
Notably, the CAGR for exports is growing faster than imports in equipment and
outputs, suggesting that Vietnam is gradually enhancing its domestic capabilities in these
areas. However, inputs remain a critical weakness, as imports continue to dominate with
53
This section presents the key findings from the HS Code-Level Assessment for Step
2: Semiconductor Production, focusing on Vietnam’s trade performance for the highest-
contributing product category. The analysis at the HS Code level allows for a deeper
understanding of Vietnam’s role in semiconductor manufacturing by identifying key
product categories that drive exports and imports. Detailed numerical results are shown in
APPENDIX 2, are visualized in Figure 4.7.
15
45.1%
Billion USD
10 37.1%
Export
Import
5
13.5%
5.7%
2.1% 1.5%
1.1% 0.4% 0.2% 0.8%
0.3% 0.3%
0.1% 0%0.1% 0%0.1% 0%0%
0
854231 854239 854232 854290 854233 852351 852352 852359 853290 853310
HS Code
Figure 4.4 shows that processors and controllers dominate Vietnam’s semiconductor
exports, reinforcing the country’s position as a major player in semiconductor assembly
and packaging. At the same time, imports of memory chips and other semiconductor
devices remain high, emphasizing Vietnam’s reliance on foreign suppliers for these
components. Furthermore, the data highlights that Vietnam maintains a negative trade
balance in multiple semiconductor categories, particularly in memory chips, micro
assemblies, and amplifiers, indicating areas where further domestic investment could help
54
This section presents the key findings from the Product Group-Level Analysis for
Step 3: Intermediate Electronics, focusing on Vietnam’s trade performance across different
product categories. The numerical results are summarized in Table 4.4, and the data is
visualized in Figure 4.8.
Vietnam’s role in this step is significantly stronger than in the previous steps, with
exports far exceeding imports. Indicating that Vietnam plays a strong role in intermediate
electronics production, particularly in the manufacturing and assembly of semiconductor-
56
based components.
15 75
CAGR Export
Billion USD
CAGR (%)
CAGR Import
10 50
Total_Export
Total_Import
5 25
0 0
Figure 4.8 shows that Vietnam has a significant trade surplus in both industrial and
consumer intermediate electronics, reinforcing its role as a key production hub. However,
imports of inputs remain high, highlighting the country’s continued reliance on foreign
suppliers for raw materials. Additionally, the CAGR for exports is consistently higher than
imports across all output categories, confirming Vietnam’s increasing competitiveness in
intermediate electronics production. Notably, the largest trade volume occurs in
intermediate consumer electronics, suggesting that Vietnam’s production capacity is
heavily geared toward consumer markets.
This section presents the key findings from the HS Code-Level Assessment for Step
3: Intermediate Electronics, focusing on Vietnam’s trade performance for the highest-
contributing product category. The total trade values and percentage contributions for each
HS code over 2014–2023 are shown in APPENDIX 3, and visualized in Figure 4.9.
58
6
Billion USD
34.2%
Export
4
Import
67.1%
16.7%
11.5%
0.9% 1.8%3.4% 1.5%
0.8% 0.2%0.6% 0% 0%
0
trade activity, indicating that Vietnam neither produces nor imports these products in
significant quantities.
This section presents the key findings from the Product Group-Level Analysis for
Step 4: Final Electronics, focusing on Vietnam’s trade performance across different product
categories. The numerical results are summarized in Table 4.5, then are visualized in Figure
4.10.
Vietnam has a dominant role in this stage, with exports significantly surpassing
import, confirming Vietnam’s strong position as a major hub for final electronics
manufacturing, particularly in consumer electronics.
Despite the trade deficit, the sector shows promising signs of growth. The compound
annual growth rate (CAGR) for exports stands at +13.65%, which is higher than the CAGR
for imports at +8.83%. This indicates that Vietnam is gradually developing its capabilities
in industrial electronics and has the potential to expand its role in this category over time.
manufacturing. Exports in this category reached an average of $55.69 billion, while imports
stood at $16.13 billion. This significant trade surplus highlights Vietnam’s strong position
as a key supplier of consumer electronics to global markets.
The export sector in final consumer electronics is also experiencing rapid expansion,
with a CAGR of +28.14%. In comparison, the import CAGR stands at +11.29%, indicating
that Vietnam is becoming increasingly self-sufficient in this segment. The rapid growth in
exports demonstrates Vietnam’s ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and
integrate into global supply chains, particularly in consumer electronics assembly and
manufacturing.
75
40 CAGR Export
Billion USD
CAGR (%)
CAGR Import
50
Total_Export
20
Total_Import
25
0 0
From Figure 4.10, we can see that Vietnam maintains a substantial trade surplus in
final consumer electronics, confirming its role as a global manufacturing hub. However,
exports of industrial electronics remain relatively low, suggesting room for further
development in high-value industrial applications.
The data also highlights that the CAGR for exports in final consumer electronics is
62
This section presents the key findings from the HS Code-Level Assessment for Step
4: Final Electronics, focusing on Vietnam’s trade performance for the highest contributing
product category. The total trade values and percentage contributions for each HS code over
2014–2023 are shown in APPENDIX 4 and visualized in Figure 4.11.
30
Billion USD
20
Export
Import
25.1%
74.5%
10
21.8%
4.8%
3.3% 0.9%
0.2% 0.2%
0.1% 0%0.1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
0
Vietnam has solidified itself as a global leader in mobile phone assembly and
manufacturing, with exports of telephones for cellular networks reaching $38.35 billion.
This category accounts for nearly 69% of total final electronics exports, underscoring
Vietnam’s crucial role in the global supply chain. The relatively low import value of $3.51
billion indicates that Vietnam produces a substantial portion of the mobile phones it exports,
rather than relying on imported finished products. This dominance is largely driven by
foreign direct investment (FDI) from multinational firms such as Samsung and Apple,
which have established major production facilities in Vietnam.
HS 950450 - Video Game Consoles and Machines: Vietnam is also involved in the
gaming electronics market, with exports reaching $0.53 billion, while imports remain
significantly lower at $0.03 billion. This positive trade balance indicates that Vietnam has
a growing role in assembling and exporting gaming hardware. However, the scale of
exports remains relatively small compared to the mobile phone sector.
HS 851718 - Other Telephone Sets: Vietnam exports $0.12 billion worth of other
telephone sets, while imports stand at $0.02 billion. Although this is a relatively minor
category, Vietnam maintains a trade surplus, suggesting domestic production capabilities
in specialized telecommunication devices.
64
HS 950430 - Other Video Game Consoles and Machines: Unlike the previous
gaming hardware category, Vietnam imports more than it exports in this segment, with
imports at $0.021 billion and exports at just $0.003 billion. This results in a trade deficit,
indicating that Vietnam does not yet have strong manufacturing capabilities in this segment.
- By having a look at the trade balance across different steps, we can comprehend
that Vietnam remains highly dependent on imports for upstream semiconductor processes
(Steps 1 & 2), especially in wafer production and semiconductor manufacturing. The
country’s trade performance improves significantly in downstream stages (Steps 3 & 4),
where Vietnam achieves strong trade surpluses due to its established role in assembling and
exporting intermediate and final electronic products. The sharp contrast between deficits in
upstream stages and surpluses in downstream stages indicates that Vietnam is positioned
more as an assembler than a producer of core semiconductor components.
- By having a look at the trade performance at the product group level in Step 1, we
can conclude that Vietnam’s current role in wafer production is limited, with a heavy
reliance on imported raw materials, inputs, and equipment. The negative CAGR in exports
of raw materials and inputs suggests that Vietnam is moving away from developing its own
supply base in these critical areas. Although wafer output exports have shown strong
growth, the country remains a consumer rather than a producer in wafer production.
- By having a look at the trade performance at the product group level in Step 2, we
can conclude that Vietnam remains dependent on imported semiconductor inputs and
equipment, reflecting a gap in domestic supply chain capabilities. The country has made
significant strides in semiconductor output production, but imports still outweigh exports,
suggesting Vietnam plays a key role in assembly and processing rather than full-scale
fabrication.
• By analyzing trade performance at the HS code level in Step 2, we can
65
- By having a look at the trade performance at the product group level in Step 3, we
can conclude that Vietnam has established itself as a major exporter of intermediate
electronics, with a trade surplus of over $10 billion in this step. While imports of inputs
remain high, Vietnam’s strong growth in industrial and consumer intermediate electronics
exports demonstrates its expanding role in global supply chains. The consumer electronics
segment, in particular, has been the most dominant, with export growth far outpacing
import growth, indicating Vietnam’s strength in supplying electronic components for
consumer goods manufacturing.
• By analyzing trade performance at the HS code level in Step 3, we can
conclude that Vietnam has successfully positioned itself as a leading manufacturer and
exporter of communication apparatus (HS 851762), driven by foreign investment and
global supply chain integration. However, its reliance on imported transmission apparatus
components (HS 852990) suggests that Vietnam’s domestic supply chain is not yet fully
developed. The country also exhibits moderate capabilities in base stations (HS 851761)
and other communication devices, indicating potential areas for further growth. Despite
these strengths, Vietnam still struggles with a trade deficit in audio equipment, showing a
lack of competitive domestic production in this segment. Additionally, the limited role of
video and sound recording devices in Vietnam’s trade profile suggests that the country has
yet to develop expertise in these areas.
- By having a look at the trade performance at the product group level in Step 4, we
can conclude that Vietnam’s role in the final electronics stage of the semiconductor value
chain is highly competitive, particularly in consumer electronics manufacturing. The
country has developed a strong export-driven model, with a significant trade surplus of
nearly $40 billion in this category. This success is largely attributed to foreign direct
66
investment from global electronics firms, which have established large-scale production
facilities in Vietnam. While Vietnam excels in consumer electronics, its presence in
industrial electronics is still developing. The trade deficit in this category suggests that
Vietnam has yet to establish a strong domestic industry for high-tech industrial applications.
However, the positive growth rate in exports indicates a potential opportunity for expansion
in this area.
• By analyzing trade performance at the HS code level in Step 4, we can
conclude that Vietnam is a dominant exporter of mobile phones (HS 851712), reinforcing
its role as a global smartphone production hub. Imports of transmission apparatus
components (HS 851770) remain high, highlighting Vietnam’s dependence on foreign
suppliers for essential communication components. Vietnam has a positive trade balance in
video game consoles (HS 950450) but a deficit in other gaming hardware (HS 950430),
indicating a specialized role in gaming electronics manufacturing. Certain product
categories, such as cameras, monitors, and microphones, show no trade activity, suggesting
Vietnam does not yet have a significant footprint in these areas.
After having the analysis result, we can conclude that Vietnam plays a significant
role in the global semiconductor value chain, particularly in the final electronics and
intermediate electronics stages. The country has established itself as a major hub for mobile
phone and consumer electronics manufacturing, largely driven by foreign direct investment
(FDI) from multinational corporations such as Samsung, Apple, and Intel.
The connotation of this result is that while Vietnam has successfully integrated into
the global electronics manufacturing ecosystem, its position remains heavily reliant on
67
foreign suppliers for key semiconductor inputs. This indicates a need for further investment
in domestic semiconductor production, R&D capabilities, and high-tech workforce
development.
68
5.1. Discussion
The research “Study about The position of Vietnam in the Semiconductor Value
Chain” almost achieved the research goals. Successfully forming a comprehensive research
framework that evaluates Vietnam’s role in different stages of the semiconductor value
chain, mapping Vietnam’s trade performance across different steps in the semiconductor
value chain, from wafer production to final electronics, and identifying key product
categories and HS codes that contribute significantly to Vietnam’s semiconductor trade.
Through this research, we have gained valuable insights into Vietnam’s competitive
advantages in final and intermediate electronics manufacturing, as well as its dependencies
on imports for wafer production and semiconductor fabrication. The analysis highlights
how foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a crucial role in Vietnam’s semiconductor sector,
enabling it to become a major exporter of consumer electronics and communication
devices. However, it also underlines the challenges Vietnam faces in advancing further up
the value chain, particularly in the areas of semiconductor design, fabrication, and material
supply.
On top of that, our group would also like to list some recommendations for
policymakers, industry stakeholders, and investors to enhance Vietnam’s position in the
global semiconductor value chain.
5.2. Significance
Through the above results, the research paper has a wide range of significance and
value in terms of scientific theory and practical application.
5.3. Suggestions
Science and Technology). Moreover, Vietnam has actively expanded STEM education to
over 60 schools, fostering critical thinking from an early stage. The country’s consistent
success in global competitions, such as Intel ISEF and International Olympiads, further
highlights its talent potential.
While these strengths form a solid foundation, Vietnam must transition from a
workforce primarily engaged in assembly and testing to higher-value activities such as chip
design, R&D, and manufacturing.
Internships and hands-on experience are vital for preparing students for real-world
challenges. Companies and training institutions must co-develop internship programs that
provide exposure to semiconductor fabrication, chip design, and advanced manufacturing
techniques.
- What are the expected results? 1) Establish a highly skilled workforce that meets
the semiconductor industry's requirements; 2) Enhance Vietnam's competitiveness in the
global semiconductor supply chain; 3) Attract investments from major technology
72
Vietnam possesses the second-largest rare earth reserves in the world (estimated at 22
million tons), yet it’s rare earth extraction and processing capabilities remain
underdeveloped. Rare earth elements (REEs) such as neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium
are critical materials for semiconductor manufacturing, particularly in Step 1: Wafer
Production and Step 2: Semiconductor Fabrication.
Currently, Vietnam exports raw rare earth materials at low value while importing
refined and processed rare earth materials for high-tech manufacturing. By developing a rare
earth processing and supply chain, Vietnam can reduce import dependency in semiconductor
production, enhance its strategic positioning in global supply chains, and attract high-tech
investments in semiconductor manufacturing.
- This solution should be implemented in Bắc Nậm Xe (Lai Châu) and Đông Pao (Lào
Cai) – areas with Vietnam’s largest rare earth reserves. And high-tech parks in Ho Chi Minh
City, Hanoi, and Da Nang – to establish rare earth processing and component manufacturing
facilities.
- The strategy should be rolled out in phases over the next 5-10 years: Short-term (1–
3 years): Develop policies, attract investment, and establish pilot rare earth refining facilities;
Medium-term (3–7 years): Scale up rare earth processing, integrate refined materials into
semiconductor supply chains; Long-term (7–10 years): Develop Vietnam-based rare earth
semiconductor component manufacturing and become a regional leader in rare earth-based
high-tech production.
- What are the expected results? 1) Increased value addition from rare earth mining,
shifting from raw material exports to high-value semiconductor applications; 2) Attraction of
high-tech investments in semiconductor manufacturing, boosting domestic capabilities in
Step 1 (Wafer Production) and Step 2 (Semiconductor Fabrication); 3) Stronger geopolitical
positioning, as Vietnam becomes a key supplier of rare earth materials for semiconductor
production in the global market.
- How to implement this solution? 1) Attract global AI chip firms (NVIDIA, AMD,
Google, Intel, Qualcomm) to establish packaging and testing operations; 2) Also offer tax
incentives, infrastructure support, and streamlined regulations; 3) Develop AI
semiconductor industrial zones dedicated to AI chip processing; 4) Enhance workforce
74
- The solution also should be implemented in existing high-tech zones and industrial
parks that already have a strong electronics and semiconductor presence: Bắc Ninh, Bắc
Giang: Near Samsung’s ecosystem, Hồ Chí Minh City, Bình Dương: Established tech hubs;
Đà Nẵng: Emerging AI and semiconductor hub.
- The implementation also should follow a phased approach over the next 5-10 years:
1-3 years: Secure FDI, develop policies, start pilot projects; 4-7 years: Build large-scale
AI chip packaging and testing plants; 8-10 years: Expand into AI chip testing and design.
- How to implement this solution? 1) Offer tax incentives and regulatory advantages
to attract semiconductor firms relocating from China; 2) Enhance Vietnam’s role in US and
EU-friendly supply chains by aligning trade policies with CHIPS Act-related incentives; 3)
Develop industrial zones specialized in semiconductor assembly and testing, ensuring
75
secure and politically neutral production environments; 4) Strengthen supply chain security
by partnering with Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan for semiconductor materials and
equipment.
- The solution should be conducted in Bắc Ninh, Bắc Giang, and Thái Nguyên which
are near existing electronics and semiconductor clusters.
When is the solution conducted?
- The implementation should implement with a long-term goal: 1-3 years: Secure
investment deals, develop regulatory frameworks, establish pilot semiconductor assembly
projects; 4-7 years: Expand capacity, integrate Vietnam into secure semiconductor supply
chains; 8-10 years: Establish Vietnam as a key alternative hub in global semiconductor
assembly.
- What are the expected results? 1) Vietnam becomes a preferred location for
semiconductor assembly amid geopolitical shifts; 2) Attraction of high-value FDI from
semiconductor giants diversifying beyond China; 3) Greater integration into secure
semiconductor supply chains, reducing geopolitical risks.
Firstly, the primary limitation of this report or trade statistics approach lies in its
76
inability to capture the true domestic value added, as export figures may reflect assembly
and testing activities rather than high-value manufacturing or design. Additionally, trade
data does not distinguish between foreign direct investment (FDI)-led production and
domestic industry development, potentially overstating Vietnam’s technological
capabilities.
Thirdly, the research primarily relies on quantitative trade data and lacks an in-depth
examination of Vietnam’s specific policy frameworks, investment trends, and government
initiatives. The effectiveness of Vietnam’s incentives—such as tax breaks, subsidies, and
infrastructure development—was not analyzed in detail, making it difficult to assess
whether they are adequately supporting the country’s transition from low-value assembly
to high-value semiconductor production.
Finally, the study focuses on data from 2014 to 2023, which may not be a good
predictor of future trends in the Vietnamese semiconductor industry.
Given the limitations identified in this study, our future research should aim to
address these gaps to provide a more comprehensive and strategic understanding of
Vietnam’s position in the semiconductor value chain.
semiconductor sector. Future research will focus on: Assessing the impact of existing
policy measures: Are current tax breaks and subsidies attracting the right kind of
semiconductor investments? How do these incentives compare to those offered by
competing nations? Evaluating Vietnam’s transition from assembly to higher-value
production: What policy interventions are needed to move Vietnam beyond low-value
assembly into advanced semiconductor manufacturing and design? Examining the role of
R&D and innovation: How effective are Vietnam’s universities, research institutions, and
government-backed initiatives in advancing semiconductor technology?
Instead of merely reporting trade figures, future research will delve deeper into the
underlying economic and industrial factors driving these trends. Conducting in-depth
interviews to have qualitative insights from industry experts, policymakers, and business
leaders and case studies to capture first-hand perspectives on Vietnam’s semiconductor
challenges and opportunities.
78
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Global Wafer Capacity Report 2021-2025. (2021), "Taiwan and South Korea Dominate
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ICTVietnam, Forbes: Vietnam is transforming into a center for electronics and high-tech
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80
APPENDIX
8470 - - - -
8471 - - - -
8472 - - - -
- - - -
Output 1:
8526 - - - -
Final
9014 905.1998 4607.015 7.0564 5.686072
Industry
9022 - - - -
9027 15889.1108 68627.404 15.876118 10.4414423
9028 128402.7567 52448.912 8.553456 7.6424501
4 9029 6498.2193 16012.721 24.514364 0.9566692
9030 42444.8637 201557.021 12.243386 19.4388498
851712 38351906.29 3510063.768 10.2956636 20.58283044
851718 118564.4024 15136.21899 15.08262819 -6.589830397
851770 14004459.13 12027586.84 11.176748 -1.40196615
Output 2: 85181 - - - -
Final 852580 2685764.977 533699.1503 4.712354133 -6.821529535
Consumer 8528 - - - -
9006 - - - -
950430 3503.980152 21125.65 48.18436418 16.43579369
950450 527255.6599 26074.08536 79.38906882 45.54282748
83