Enhancing Semiconductor Technology Protections in Vietnam

Introduction

Over the course of 9 months, eight Vietnam Technology Policy fellows engaged in substantive research on policies related to Vietnam’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem and developing a framework for successful U.S.-Vietnam cooperation in the semiconductor sector.

The eight fellows engaged in independent primary and secondary research alongside virtual meetings with industry experts and other guest speakers. In spring 2026, toward the end of their fellowship—sponsored by the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program at the US Department of State— Pacific
Forum organized a trip to Washington D.C., providing the fellows an opportunity to interact and learn from industry, government and academia—informing their research and analysis. Their fellowship concluded with policy papers offering actionable policy recommendations to enhance semiconductor technology protections and cooperation with the U.S. Find here, eight policy papers covering various areas of US-Vietnam semiconductor cooperation.

Akhil Ramesh

Chief Research and Development Officer

Pacific Forum

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INTRODUCTION

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF CHIP DESIGNS IN VIETNAM’S COLLABORRATIVE AI AND SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

VIETNAM IN THE GLOBAL AI AND SEMICONDUCTOR VALUE CHAINS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FROM GEOPOLITICAL COMPETITION AND EXPORT CONTROL MEASURES

VIETNAM’S SEMICONDUCTOR PURSUITS AND ITS STRATEGIC ASCENSION IN THE GLOBAL LANDSCAPE

IMPACT OF VIETNAM’S TRADE EXPORT CONTROLS (DECREE 259/2025/ND-CP) ON VIETNAM’S SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY: POLICY LESSONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRATEGIC EXPORT CONTROLS

FORTIFYING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR SEMICONDUCTOR LAYOUT DESIGNS IN VIETNAM: GAPS AND POLICY OPTIONS UNDER THE NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR STRATEGY

VIETNAM’S STRATEGIC TRADE CONTROLS IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR SECTOR: ENHANCING TRADE COHERENCE AND BALANCING COMPLIANCE FRICTION FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT

BUILDING A POLICY FRAMEWORK TO FOSTER INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT IN VIETNAM’S SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY: INSIGHTS FROM DA NANG CITY

BUILDING A TRUSTED SEMICONDUCTOR ECOSYSTEM IN VIETNAM: INSTITUTIONAL REFORM AND US–VIETNAM PARTNERSHIP

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

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About the Authors

HUY ANH NGUYEN (HAN) is a jurist at the Hanoi Bar Association specializing in technology and media policy across Southeast Asia. He researches AI ethics, safety and governance, blockchain, and intellectual property with international think tanks and NGOs. Previously, as Digital Project Manager at Vietnam’s national broadcaster, he led English- and Vietnamese-language content production teams that reached audiences in more than 100 countries and territories. His technical and policy expertise covers digitalization, data journalism, and digital copyright. A long‑standing advocate for media and information literacy, he designs training‑for‑trainer curricula and has contributed to white papers and proposed legal amendments presented at regional and international conferences. Huy Anh holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Communications from Sorbonne University (Paris) and Monash University (Melbourne), and an LLM from UWE Bristol (UK).

TUYET TRAN (SNOW) is a Policy Analyst at the Institute for Policy Studies and Media Development (IPS), a Vietnam-based think tank specializing in digital technology policy. Her research sits at the intersection of technology, political economy, and geopolitics, examining how technological capabilities, industry and supply chain configurations, market structures, and regulatory institutions shape economic power, strategic competition, and national security. Her work focuses on critical and emerging technologies and digital policy domains, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure, with particular attention to technological sovereignty, supply chain security, and the geopolitical implications of technological interdependence. Beyond research, she leads policy advocacy and multi-stakeholder engagement initiatives, working with government agencies, policymakers, industry, academia, and international partners to translate research and international perspectives into policy design, formulation, and implementation. She has contributed to major national strategies, including the National Strategy on Research, Development and Application of Artificial Intelligence, the National Digital Infrastructure Strategy, and the National Strategy for the Development of Vietnam’s Semiconductor Industry, as well as key legislative frameworks including the Digital Technology Industry Law, Artificial Intelligence Law, Data Law, and Amended Telecommunications Law.

TRANG NGUYEN is an independent researcher based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She began her career in Intellectual Property (IP) at the IP Office of Vietnam, where she spent a decade conducting research, providing legal counsel, examining industrial property applications, and leading public outreach. She later served as IP Coordinator at Rouse Legal and IP Counsel at Dentons, advising clients on IP enforcement, commercialization, and regulatory compliance. Most recently, she was Senior Research and Planning Officer at Fulbright University Vietnam, coordinating the IP and Technology Transfer Program sponsored by the U.S Department of State (Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs). Trang holds degrees in International Relations, Corporate Finance, and an LL.M. in IP Law. Her current research focuses on strengthening Vietnam’s semiconductor industry and innovation policy framework.

TRAN THI MONG TUYEN (Ms) is a PhD scholar at National Chengchi University, specializing in geopolitics, high technology, and Indo-Pacific regional affairs. She also contributes as a Guest Lecturer in Vietnam. She previously served as a Visiting Scholar at National Taiwan University and as a Non-Resident Handa Fellow at Pacific Forum. Earlier in her career, she was a Fellow at the European Union in Luxembourg. Since 2012, she has participated in the Young Leaders program at Pacific Forum. Ms. Tran has been invited to high-level Track 1.5 and Track 2 diplomacy conferences across the Indo-Pacific, including those organized by Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (CSCAP) and the Yushan Forum. She has also been a panelist at institutions such as Perry World House (US), IISS Asia (Singapore), and government-affiliated think tanks. Her academic research has been presented at leading university workshops worldwide. She has published in English, French, and Vietnamese in prominent magazines and journals. In addition, she frequently provides expert commentary for major international media outlets, including Nikkei Asia, The Diplomat, South China Morning Post, BBC News, Mainichi, and RTI, Taipei Times and among others, and has appeared in television interviews on networks such as Al-Qahera and Taiwan Plus. Her insights have been cited in six languages – Vietnamese, French, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, across international media in Asia. Ms. Tran earned a Master’s degree in International Relations in the United Kingdom and also completed the Erasmus Mundus Master’s program in France.

HUONG TRAN is the Managing Partner of AIIP, an Intellectual Property Agency in Vietnam, with over 20 years of experience in intellectual property law and practice. Her career spans both the public and private sectors, providing her with extensive insight into Vietnam’s IP system, legal framework, and enforcement mechanisms. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Fulbright University Vietnam. Her research and professional interests center on emerging legal frameworks related to science, technology, and intellectual property, as well as the role of innovation in strengthening Vietnam’s regional and international competitiveness. Ms. Tran is an Accredited Mediator with the UK-based Center for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). She is also a member of the Vietnam Bar Federation (VBF) and serves as Deputy Head of the Foreign Affairs Department at the Vietnam International Commercial Mediation Center (VICMC).

DOAN QUOC DZUNG is a seasoned development program and government relations expert with over a decade of experience in Vietnam and the broader Asia Pacific region. As the Program Strategy and Delivery Manager at Boston Consulting Group, he currently leads on-the-ground implementation of the Aus4Growth program, Australia’s flagship economic development initiative in Vietnam. Dzung’s career is marked by continuous works on translating policies into actions, having previously served as the Technical Pillar Director for the USAID Improving Private Sector Competitiveness project with Deloitte Consulting. His work has also included pioneering roles with the International Finance Corporation and the Mekong Institute, where he managed strategic initiatives focused on strengthening private sector innovation and promoting decarbonisation in manufacturing and agriculture sectors. As a Fulbright University alumnus with a master’s in public policy, Dzung is a specialist in fostering public-private partnerships and navigating complex policy landscapes to drive impactful and sustainable change.

PHUC LE is the Director of the Da Nang Semiconductor & AI Center (DSAC), where he leads the city’s strategy to build a competitive semiconductor and AI ecosystem. With 16 years of experience across the public sector, research, and teaching, he brings strong policy and innovation management expertise to advance Vietnam’s deep-tech ambitions. At DSAC, Phuc drives talent pipelines, industry partnerships, and startup enablement with global partners such as NVIDIA, Synopsys, Google, and Arizona State University. His portfolio spans VLSI design training, an advanced packaging lab effort, AI/HPC infrastructure for sovereign capability, and policy facilitation to attract high-tech investment. He advises on AI and semiconductor policy and works closely with local and international stakeholders to accelerate technology transfer, commercialization, and market adoption across Vietnam and the broader region.

NGUYEN QUOC CUONG is the Director of the Dong Nai Institute for Innovation. He was the former Head of Consultation and Training Division at Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology (2007). He worked as a Researcher in the Center of Bionics at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (2012). He serves as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Dong Nai Technology University (2017). He received his BS (2004) and MS (2008) in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Ho Chi Minh University of Technology and Ph.D. (2017) in the Department of IT–Mechantronics Fusion at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. His research interests include Science and Technology policy, digital transformation and innovation ecosystem, smart manufacturing, technology transfer, and intellectual property.

Media: Vietnamnet.vn