Marvell, Google should invest more in Vietnam: minister

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung has called on Marvell Technology and Google to invest more in Vietnam, especially in semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), as part of his working trip to the United States from June 22-26.

Marvell R&D center in Hanoi

At a Sunday meeting (local time) with Marvell, Minister Dung suggested Marvell invest more in Vietnam, especially in research and development (R&D), in order to transform Vietnam into a major hub of the U.S. semiconductor giant. The investment would “help the growth of the Vietnamese semiconductor ecosystem”, the minister added.

Dung also called on Marvell to open a representative office and a R&D center at the National Innovation Center (NIC) in Hanoi, in a bid to push the firm’s business operations and research activities and debut new technology.

Besides, he recommended Marvell work with the NIC to develop a semiconductor lab to train chip designers, launch and expand the Marvell Excellence Scholarship in Vietnam, and provide internships at Marvell for Vietnamese students.

In May, Marvell said it plans to open a new design center in Ho Chi Minh City next year, and it has expanded its physical footprint in Vietnam with a new location in Danang, adding to its offices in HCMC. The growth of its footprint demonstrates the company’s commitment to creating a world-class semiconductor design hub in the country, the firm added.

Since its debut in Vietnam in 2013, Marvell now employs about 400 people in Vietnam, with high-quality engineers in chip and electronics design accounting for 97%. Its expansion in HCMC and Danang will help Vietnamese staff join the firm’s projects featuring the latest technology.

Google, MPI can forge comprehensive strategic ties

On the same day, Minister Dung had a meeting with Kareen Ghanem, director of government affairs & public policy at Google. The Google executive shared that Google plans to produce mobile phones in Vietnam, extending its current activities in Vietnam regarding digitalization, e-commerce, innovation, and startups.

For his part, the Vietnamese minister highly rated Google’s cooperation with the NIC in workforce training and business incubation programs. He appreciated Google’s assistance in cloud programs to help Vietnam’s incubation program for AI startups this year.

Dung, as the Prime Minister’s special envoy for collaboration with Google, affirmed that the Vietnamese authorities would facilitate Google’s investment and R&D activities in the country.

Google and the Ministry of Planning and Investment can forge a comprehensive strategic partnership by pushing Google’s high-tech investments in Vietnam and cooperating with the NIC, Dung proposed.