Vietnam’s Bac Ninh seeks deeper partnership with Japanese firms in AI, semiconductor

The initiative was highlighted at a meeting between Bac Ninh authorities and Japanese businesses on Thursday.

At the event, Pham Van Thinh, vice-chairman of the Bac Ninh People's Committee, described Japan as one of the province's most important partners, saying Japanese investment has made significant contributions to its industrialization and modernization.

Thinh said Japanese businesses have contributed not only capital but also advanced technologies, modern management practices, a strong quality-oriented culture, and a long-term development vision.

Bac Ninh is currently home to around 120 Japanese-invested projects with a combined registered capital of nearly US$2 billion.

Looking ahead, the province has identified three key priorities for cooperation with Japanese businesses.

These include attracting high-quality investment in sectors such as AI, semiconductors, supporting industries, precision engineering, electronics, automation, logistics, data centers, and research and development.

The province also aims to develop a modern, smart, and environmentally friendly industrial ecosystem by upgrading industrial park infrastructure, transportation, energy, digital infrastructure, and logistics networks while promoting eco-industrial and smart industrial parks.

Another priority is strengthening linkages between foreign-invested and domestic enterprises to enable more Vietnamese businesses to participate in global supply chains.

Hoang Quang Phong, vice-chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Japan has remained one of Vietnam's most important strategic partners in investment, trade, official development assistance, technology transfer, and workforce development for more than three decades.

He noted that Japanese corporations including Canon, Sumitomo, Hitachi, Nidec, Denso, and Nippon Steel have played a key role in developing Bac Ninh's modern industrial ecosystem, particularly in electronics, precision engineering, supporting industries, and high technology.

Phong said Bac Ninh should continue developing into a regional center for high-tech manufacturing and semiconductor production by attracting investment in AI, semiconductor chips, robotics, automation, and research and development centers.

He also called for stronger cooperation between Japanese and Vietnamese businesses to expand supporting industries, increase localization rates, and build more resilient supply chains.

Watanabe Takakazu, minister-counselor at the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, said Bac Ninh should continue improving its pool of highly skilled workers and further develop transport infrastructure linking the province with Hanoi, Hai Phong, and other key economic centers to attract more Japanese investment.

He also encouraged the province to maintain transparency, strengthen cooperation in workforce training, improve regional logistics connectivity, and maximize the role of the newly established Japan Desk in promoting and supporting Japanese investment.

During the conference, Pham Hoang Son, chairman of the Bac Ninh People's Committee, presented a land use rights certificate to AEONMall Vietnam Co. Ltd. for the development of the nearly seven-hectare Aeon Mall Bac Ninh Tan Tien project, which has a total investment of nearly VND4 trillion ($152.3 million).