Viet Nam strengthens global position in electronics, semiconductors

At The Year Ahead 2026 forum organized by Bloomberg Businessweek Viet Nam in Ho Chi Minh City on April 10, Kin noted that the country is home to more than 170 foreign-invested semiconductor projects, mainly focusing on chip design and packaging and testing stages.

According to the UOB economist, Viet Nam's strong position in electronics and semiconductors serves as a foundation for moving into higher-value segments of the value chain.

These advantages provide a springboard for Viet Nam to deepen its participation in higher-value segments such as outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) industry, precision electronic components, materials and manufacturing tools, as well as industrial AI applications and automation in production and logistics.

Trade with Asian partners is increasing, with Viet Nam now accounting for about 4.7 percent of China's total trade, reflecting the country's growing integration into regional production networks and supply chains.

Emphasizing that tariff-related challenges for export businesses are likely to persist, Kin held that diversifying export markets is no longer optional but a strategic necessity, which requires Viet Nam to fully leverage its 16 signed free trade agreements while expanding into fast-growing import markets in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and parts of Europe.

With an export turnover of US$107.75 billion in 2025, computers, electronic products and components not only maintained their position as Viet Nam's largest export by value, but also contributed more than half of the overall increase in the country's export turnover in 2025.

The figure accounted for around 23 percent of the country's total export turnover and represented a sharp year-on-year increase of 48.4 percent, equivalent to a rise of US$35.15 billion.

Exports of this group to the US were valued at US$42.09 billion, up 81.4 percent from the previous year. Shipments to China stood at US$16.89 billion, an increase of 33.6 percent year on year./.