The sectors poised to generate trillions of dollars globally in the coming years are technology, notably semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI).
At the “Promoting Innovation and Developing Strategic Technology Sectors” forum on October 2, Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, revealed that nearly 65% of Vietnam’s top tech talents in critical and emerging fields are currently working abroad. This statistic was cited from the World Bank’s report titled “Shaping Vietnam’s Semiconductor Future: Breakthroughs in Talent, Technology, and Innovation.”
This striking figure highlights the significant number of Vietnamese tech experts overseas and underscores the urgent need to invest in, develop, and attract high-quality human resources. This is seen as a critical factor for Vietnam to master strategic technology sectors.
Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, speaking at the forum. Photo: MH
According to Mariam J. Sherman, in high-tech sectors like semiconductors, success is built on people.
“Investing in people is foundational. It drives science and technology while giving businesses confidence that they’ll have the right talent at all levels, from skilled technicians and engineers to visionary scientists and leaders,” the World Bank representative emphasized.
Attracting and retaining talent is as crucial as developing it. To compete globally, Vietnam needs not just more graduates but world-class technicians, scientists, and engineers. Creating conditions to lure this talent back home will help Vietnam “leapfrog,” narrowing knowledge and network gaps.
The World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos believes Vietnam has many advantages but needs a structured strategy. She suggested a “three plus one” formula: (1) talent, (2) an innovation ecosystem, and (3) supply chain linkages, all connected by a strategic focus on a few high-impact innovation clusters.
“This journey requires a national effort, with government, businesses, educational institutions, research institutes, and international partners all playing vital roles,” Mariam J. Sherman stated.
She affirmed the World Bank’s commitment to helping Vietnam “turn vision into tangible results starting now.”
What are the benefits of the “three plus one” formula?
The World Bank representative noted that semiconductors are among the fields where Vietnam has gained momentum. Photo for illustration
According to Mariam J. Sherman, with the “three plus one” formula, Vietnam should start in areas where it has gained momentum, including electronics, semiconductors, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
“The benefits are clear: Knowledge will stay and grow in Vietnam. Your businesses will win more contracts and advance in the global value chain. You’ll build and retain a generation of highly skilled domestic talent. And the ‘plus one’ in our formula? It’s the element that binds the other three pillars together: a focus on a few carefully selected, outstanding innovation clusters,” the World Bank representative emphasized.
She further analyzed, looking at East Asian neighbors. China has built innovation corridors like the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster. South Korea has the Daedeok Science Town. Singapore has specialized innovation hubs like Fusionopolis and Jurong.
“What do these models have in common? A high concentration of leading universities, university-business science parks, R&D institutes, and a strong presence of high-tech companies—innovative SMEs, ambitious startups, and major foreign investors.
We’re at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park today. Imagine in 10 years, this place will be the heart of an advanced manufacturing innovation cluster—semiconductors, advanced biomedical, robotics, and automation. It could bring together research institutes, universities, technology suppliers, trainers, and future factories in one ecosystem. From training, R&D, and prototyping to large-scale production, the entire manufacturing journey could happen right here,” the World Bank representative said.
According to her, Vietnam’s development story has always been one of resilience, aspiration, and success. The next chapter, a high-tech future, is within reach. It will become reality when we turn vision into action, starting today.
Investing in people is foundational. Recognizing this, the Vietnamese government has identified human resources as a core focus in Resolution 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. At the forum, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan announced that the Ministry is developing strategic technology programs with human resources as one of three pillars, alongside core technologies and infrastructure.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung and delegates launch initiatives to implement Resolution 57 of innovation networks and experts in strategic technology sectors. Photo: NIC
The 2025 National Innovation Day took place from October 1-3 at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, Hanoi. Organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the “Promoting Innovation and Developing Strategic Technology Sectors” forum marked Vietnam’s commitment to building a self-reliant, competitive economy driven by innovation.
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