Vietnam, Europe eye deeper cooperation in semiconductors, undersea cables, AI

An international forum, set to take place in Ho Chi Minh City on October 21, will bring together Vietnamese and European stakeholders.

Titled ‘Expanding Digital Investment: Connecting European Tech Strengths with Vietnam’s Digital Future,’ the forum will be co-organized by D4D Hub, the EU Delegation to Vietnam, AVSE Global, and EuroCham Vietnam, in collaboration with the National Data Association and the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association.

The event will host over 300 delegates, including top-level experts, government officials, and leading industry players.

It is expected to be one of the most important forums of 2025 focused on Europe-Vietnam digital cooperation.

Major Vietnamese and European companies and institutions such as FPT, Viettel, Bosch Global Software Technologies, CT Group, VNPT, Inno3/OpenLaw, Kineis, Germany’s GIZ, and AVSE Global will join the event to foster strategic partnerships and unlock investment opportunities in critical technology areas.

The forum will feature various in-depth sessions, themed ‘Data and Tech Sovereignty in the Cloud and AI Era,’ ‘Vietnam-Europe Semiconductor Cooperation: Strengthening supply chains and elevating Vietnam’s role in the global value chain,’ ‘5G/6G and Undersea Cable Connectivity,’ and ‘Space Technology and Artificial Intelligence.’

The forum aims to create a dynamic platform for business-to-business and business-to-government connections, and to promote the ‘European Tech-Business Solution Package’ in Vietnam.

This package includes coordinated access to European technologies, capital, expertise, and support mechanisms tailored for Vietnam’s digital development.

“The digital and AI revolution is shaping the future of global growth, competitiveness, and security,” said the organizer.

“International cooperation is essential for building a trusted digital space, and Vietnam is emerging as a dynamic, high-potential partner for Europe,” the organizer stated.

Vietnam is targeting a spot among the world’s top 30 digital nations by 2030, with strategic focus on AI, semiconductors, 5G/6G connectivity, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

The government plans to establish its first semiconductor facility by 2030, with an estimated investment of VND12.8 trillion (US$500 million).

Simultaneously, the country aims to train 50,000 semiconductor engineers and 5,000 AI experts.

Also, Vietnam is set to develop at least 10 new submarine cable routes by 2030, raising the total to at least 15 and increasing total capacity tenfold to 350 Tbps.

Open to the public and free of charge, the forum will welcome participants from both Vietnamese and European enterprises, including the presence of financial institutions and investors to ensure a broad, multi-stakeholder dialogue.

The event seeks to foster meaningful collaboration across public, private, academic, and financial sectors.