Vietnam looks to deepen ties with US tech giants

A delegation led by Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang attended the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in Maryland from May 11 to 14.

During the trip, senior Vietnamese officials held separate meetings with leaders at Intel and Meta on Tuesday to explore how deeper collaboration could not only advance Vietnam’s technological capabilities but also help promote more balanced trade between the two countries.

The meetings come against the backdrop of ongoing bilateral negotiations following the U.S. announcement of a 46-percent reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese imports, a policy delayed for 90 days to allow time for talks.

Intel’s long-term commitment in Vietnam

At the meeting with Intel, Deputy Minister of Finance Cao Anh Tuan emphasized that Vietnam regards the U.S. as a comprehensive strategic partner and a key destination for Vietnamese investment.

Intel’s 20-year presence in Vietnam was highlighted as a model of sustainable cooperation.

Its facility in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park remains the company’s largest global site for semiconductor assembly and testing, responsible for over half of its total chip testing output and generating more than US$90 billion in export value since 2010.

Tuan also praised Intel’s partnership with Vietnam’s National Innovation Center on the ‘AI for All’ initiative, a program aimed at expanding AI literacy and training more than 10,000 high-tech workers.

The government’s broader target is to train at least 50,000 workers with university-level qualifications for the semiconductor industry by 2030.

He called on Intel to support this effort by co-designing training programs, offering scholarships, and developing academic materials.

Vietnam also invited Intel to explore establishing an R&D center at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi, with a vision of turning the site into Intel’s core Asia technology hub.

Sarah Kemp, vice-president of International Government Affairs at Intel, welcomed Vietnam’s efforts to address trade tensions and noted the country’s investment incentives for high-tech industries.

She affirmed Intel’s interest in further expanding operations in Vietnam, citing both government responsiveness and favorable policies.

Meta eyes Vietnam’s digital ecosystem

The Vietnamese delegation also met with executives at Meta, focusing on AI development, open data policy, and digital infrastructure.

Molly Montgomery, Meta’s Director of Public Policy, described Vietnam as a key growth market, particularly as global manufacturing continues to shift to the country.

She acknowledged Vietnam’s proactive approach to addressing trade concerns related to U.S. tariff policies and emphasized the importance of stable and predictable policy frameworks for international investors amid global uncertainties.

Montgomery suggested that, beyond maintaining or expanding business operations in Vietnam, companies like Meta should enhance both government-to-government and government-to-business exchanges and cooperation.

“We hope that in the future, our engagement with Vietnam will continue to grow,” she stated.

Dao Thanh Huong, deputy director of the ministry’s Foreign Investment Agency, encouraged Meta to formalize its presence in Vietnam by establishing a legal entity to facilitate investment and long-term collaboration.

Vietnam, she added, is prioritizing digital innovation, open data, and creative technologies, areas where Meta is well-positioned to contribute.

Vietnam’s outreach to U.S. tech firms reflects its strategic goal of building a future-ready economy grounded in innovation, high technology, and deeper global integration while also navigating shifting trade dynamics with its largest export partner.