On March 14th, 2025, the National Innovation Center (NIC), in collaboration with CMC Corporation, hosted the “AI & Semiconductor Senior Leadership Networking Program” at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, Hanoi. This event provided a significant opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to expand international partnerships, share experiences, and explore investment opportunities in AI and semiconductor industries. 

The program took place within the framework of the 2025 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductors, bringing together leaders from top global and Vietnamese technology corporations, including NVIDIA, Meta, Marvell, Google, IBM, AMD, Intel, Qualcomm, TSMC, FPT, Sovico, and many other key enterprises. 

Image 1: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking at the policy forum “Vietnam’s Proactive Development of the Semiconductor and AI Industry in the New Era.

As a co-organizer of the 2025 AI & Semiconductor Leadership Networking Program, CMC reaffirmed its pioneering role in promoting international collaboration and connecting leading technology enterprises to develop Vietnam’s AI and semiconductor ecosystem. This event served as a crucial platform for domestic enterprises to seek partnerships, expand markets, and contribute to the national strategy for AI and semiconductor industry development, aligned with the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW. 

Image 2: Mr. Ho Thanh Tung – CEO of CMC Corporation, participating in the initiative launch ceremony, affirming CMC’s commitment to AI and semiconductor ecosystem development in Vietnam alongside Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, government officials, and global technology leaders. 

Speaking at the opening of the Networking Program, Mr. Ho Thanh Tung, CEO of CMC Corporation, emphasized: “It is an honor to represent CMC at this significant event. This is not just a chance for us to discuss collaboration opportunities but also a time to connect and drive Vietnam’s AI and semiconductor ecosystem forward. CMC is building a technology ecosystem with 10 member companies, over 5,000 employees, and an integrated network of research institutions, universities, and businesses, creating a comprehensive value chain from education and research to real-world applications. We are heavily investing in R&D, developing 25 core AI technologies, while focusing on two key national missions: establishing CMC Cloud as Vietnam’s leading cloud computing platform and advancing the open ecosystem C.OpenAI – Vietnam’s AI knowledge platform.” 

Image 3: Mr. Ho Thanh Tung, CEO of CMC Corporation, delivering a speech at the AI & Semiconductor Senior Leadership Networking Program. 

International Cooperation to Drive AI & Semiconductor Development in Vietnam

During the networking event, business leaders from both Vietnam and international corporations shared valuable insights on resources, development plans, and collaboration strategies to advance the AI and semiconductor industries. Discussions centered on the future of these industries, Vietnam’s growing role in the global supply chain, and potential partnerships between Vietnamese firms and global technology leaders in these strategic sectors. 

At the event, Mr. Michael Kagan, Chief Technology Officer of NVIDIA, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in the Networking Program. He stated: “Although Vietnam is not yet widely recognized on the global AI map, the country has millions of IT engineers, with more than half being programmers. If this workforce transitions to AI, Vietnam could become one of the fastest-growing AI hubs in the world.” 

Mr. Kagan also highlighted Vietnam’s advanced computing infrastructure powered by NVIDIA and encouraged technology enterprises to view Vietnam as a strategic destination and an emerging innovation hub. 

Image 4: Mr. Michael Kagan, Chief Technology Officer of NVIDIA, discussing Vietnam’s AI development potential. 

As part of the Networking Program, Mr. Sarim Aziz, Director of Public Policy at Meta, introduced the initiative “Building an AI Platform in Vietnam with Open-Source Vietnamese Language Data,” a collaboration between Meta, NIC, and AI for Vietnam. He emphasized that the program would drive high-impact AI innovations tailored to Vietnam’s needs, supporting local technology firms like CMC and Viettel. 

Additionally, Mr. Loi Nguyen, Senior Vice President at Marvell, shared his journey of building a successful semiconductor business, highlighting that with the right vision and perseverance, Vietnamese enterprises could enter this competitive industry. 

Previously, at the 2025 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductors (AISC) on March 12 in Hanoi, during an interview with Bloomberg Business, Mr. Dang Tung Son, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of CMC, discussed Vietnam’s ambition to become an AI data center hub. He noted: “Vietnam’s data center market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 10.8%, reaching a scale of $1.2 billion by 2030. Currently, Vietnam has over 33 data centers, with CMC Data Center being one of the first to achieve Uptime Tier III certification for Sustainable Operations (TCOS), possessing all three key certifications in Design, Construction, and Operations.” 

Image 5: Mr. Dang Tung Son, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of CMC, in an interview with Bloomberg Business. 

Mr. Son further emphasized that CMC is proud to be the first private enterprise in Vietnam with a dedicated Research and Technology Application Institute, pioneering core technology research for over 11 years. Additionally, CMC University, by 2030, aims to have around 15,000 students, with 40% focusing on AI and integrated circuit (IC) design. CMC’s AI-driven university model not only trains AI professionals but also integrates AI into teaching, management, and operations, transforming the entire educational experience. This approach aligns with CMC’s vision of leveraging AI as a core driver of Vietnam’s technological transformation. 

CMC’s Vision to Position Vietnam as a High-Tech Hub

The AI & Semiconductor Senior Leadership Networking Program was held as part of the policy forum “Vietnam’s Proactive Development of the Semiconductor and AI Industry in the New Era.” The event was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, along with government officials, ambassadors, research institutions, universities, and both domestic and international enterprises. 

The forum underscored Vietnam’s commitment to integrating into the global innovation ecosystem and value chain of the AI and semiconductor industries—two crucial sectors at the heart of modern technology and the digital economy. CMC’s active participation demonstrated its strategic vision, not only in product and service development but also in contributing to Vietnam’s sustainable high-tech industry. 

As a pioneering force, CMC continues to drive international collaboration, cultivate high-quality talent, and invest in core technologies. These efforts not only benefit CMC but also help position Vietnam as a leading high-tech hub in the region.