Microelectronics play a key role in our society. They not only form the backbone of modern, complex technologies, but also facilitate the creation of innovative solutions in numerous fields – from mobility, aerospace, and medical engineering to consumer electronics and Industry 4.0. However, due to ever shorter innovation cycles for state-of-the-art high-tech products, the global demand for efficient microelectronics solutions in important future industries is also growing.

Strengthening Vietnam as a future microelectronics powerhouse

As one of the countries with the strongest economic growth in Asia, Vietnam is set to develop into an important global player in the chip industry in the coming years. The country aims to meet growing demand for semiconductors, reduce dependencies on international suppliers, and strengthen the resilience of global supply chains in the face of geopolitical tensions.

Key strategic steps on this path include the targeted advancement of excellent research, establishing close links between relevant semiconductor players, and the accelerated development of innovative products and processes. Fraunhofer ENAS and Becamex IDC Corporation will work closely together to these ends going forward. The Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2024 has now been followed by a cooperation agreement concluded in April 2025. The partners plan to set up a research and development center for microelectronics and nanotechnology in the economically powerful province of Binh Duong. Under the leadership of Becamex IDC Corporation, the region is set to develop into a leading semiconductor powerhouse of national importance in Vietnam in the coming years.

Establishing an innovation hub based on the European model

The aim of the new center is to facilitate close networking between research, industry, and the scientific world, and so advance the development of new semiconductor technologies – from chip designs and complex wafer and packaging technologies to high-performance microelectronic solutions for high-tech industries. Saxony’s model as a successful center for the European chip industry serves as an example.

“In recent years, the Free State of Saxony has developed into the most important microelectronics location in Europe. It is where the ideas of tomorrow are born, ideas that will triumphantly march from the metropolitan region of central Germany out into the wider world as vital future technologies. A key factor in developing this innovative strength is the close cooperation between numerous industry, research, and development partners. Well-known players in semiconductor manufacturing and the scientific excellence of outstanding research institutes and universities complement each other ideally in the Free State, forming a unique ecosystem for high-tech solutions, one that we as a research institute in Chemnitz are also part of. The Vietnamese province of Binh Duong is set to develop into a leading center for semiconductors based on this successful model, acting as a beacon for other industry players. Embedded in this strong network of research, industry, and science, Fraunhofer ENAS will be the first research institute in the field of microelectronics to work together with local partners in Vietnam on sustainable solutions for current and future key industries at the new research center,” says Prof. Dr. Harald Kuhn, Institute Director at Fraunhofer ENAS, explaining the objective of the planned new research center in Binh Duong Province.

Nguyen Van Hung, President of the Becamex IDC Corporation, adds: “We are very pleased to establish a joint research and development center with Fraunhofer ENAS, based on the German and European model. At the same time, Becamex IDC is taking a leading role in building a next-generation industrial ecosystem in Vietnam, integrating industry, urban development, science and technology, and innovation. A key focus is the implementation of Vietnam’s first model Eco-Industrial Park (EIP), developed in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in accordance with EIP 2.0 standards. This initiative aims to achieve carbon neutrality, utilize green electricity (Phase 1: over 300 MW), and implement a looped power system that ensures stable and uninterrupted electricity supply for investors. We are also advancing circular economy principles and industrial symbiosis, while developing an international-standard water supply system compliant with SEMI F63 and ASTM D5127 – supporting the electronics and semiconductor industries. Our ecosystem goes beyond infrastructure. It is designed to foster innovation capacity through research and development centers, shared infrastructure, a science and technology park, and high-tech industrial zones. Within this ecosystem, the Eastern International University (EIU) and Fraunhofer ENAS play a central role in linking businesses with academia and research institutions, contributing to the development of high-quality human resources and advancing research and development in microelectronics, IC design, and semiconductors. The collaboration between Becamex IDC and Fraunhofer ENAS establishes a foundation for a modern, sustainable, and future-ready technological infrastructure.”

Transnational cooperation in research and education

In addition to building up scientific and technological expertise, the new research and development center will also contribute to the training of junior staff. With eight universities and eight colleges, including the Vietnamese-German University (VGU) and the Eastern International University (EIU), as well as more than 100 vocational schools, Binh Duong Province already has an excellent and close-knit higher education, training and research landscape.

“The expansion of the region as an innovation ecosystem will need microtechnology expertise in order to research and manufacture semiconductor technologies. The new center will be complemented by study and teaching programs that will focus even more strongly on microelectronics and microtechnology going forward. This should make a decisive contribution to the training of urgently needed junior scientists and meet the industry’s need for highly qualified specialists,” explains the Vice President of the Vietnamese-German University in Binh Duong, Dr. Thomas Aulig.

Luat Nguyen, Managing Director of Cicor Vietnam Company Limited, who initiated the cooperation between Germany and Vietnam and who laid the foundation for the transnational partnership between Fraunhofer ENAS and Becamex IDC Corporation, firmly believes that this strengthening of the relationship between the two countries marks an important milestone: "The close connection between German research excellence and the high economic dynamics of Asia offers enormous potential for the development of future-oriented technologies and is central to establishing Vietnam as a leading location in the global semiconductor value chain. The partnership between Fraunhofer ENAS and Becamex IDC Corporation is a pioneering step in this direction and creates ideal conditions for strengthening Binh Duong Province as a center for microelectronics in the long term."