Amkor urged to expand advanced chip packaging in Vietnam

Deputy PM Nguyen Chi Dung has urged Amkor Technology, a U.S.-headquartered semiconductor firm, to expand its advanced chip packaging operations and increase its investments in Vietnam, as the country seeks to develop its nascent semiconductor industry.

Dung made the request during a meeting with the Southeast Asia Semiconductor Association (SEMI SEA), led by its President Linda Tan, in Hanoi on Wednesday.

The SEMI SEA mission included SungHun Kim, country manager of Amkor Technology Vietnam, and KL Bock, senior vice president for global flash backend operations at Western Digital.

Deputy Prime Minister Dung proposed that Amkor support the National Innovation Center (NIC) in training engineers and establish its R&D center at the NIC.

To date, Amkor Technology has invested $1.6 billion in Vietnam through a semiconductor manufacturing plant in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

Regarding Western Digital, Dung encouraged the U.S.-headquartered data storage company to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam and consider setting up an office or R&D center in the country.

Addressing SEMI SEA, the Deputy Prime Minister called on the association to provide policy recommendations to help Vietnam develop competitive and attractive frameworks that can draw more investors and support the growth of the semiconductor industry across all stages, from design and packaging to testing and manufacturing.

Dung reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to improving its institutional framework and investment climate, as well as maintaining macroeconomic stability. He affirmed the government’s support for investors amid rapid and unpredictable global and regional changes, pledging favorable conditions for SEMI SEA members to invest effectively in Vietnam.