A recently released report by consulting firms Frost & Sullivan and FedEx indicates that Vietnam’s 31,8% annual growth rate in semiconductor exports is the fastest among the 8 economies compared, which include South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, and Japan.
The semiconductor products covered in the statistics include diodes, transistors, analog semiconductor components, optoelectronic semiconductor devices (including photovoltaic cells), LEDs, assembled piezoelectric crystals, and integrated circuits (ICs).
Specifically, IC exports reached 32,4 billion USD in 2023. The study identifies Vietnam as a "rapidly expanding emerging exporter". Four key strengths are highlighted: its role as an emerging hub for outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT), a strong electronics manufacturing base, attraction of investment from international corporations, and advantages in cost and skilled labor.
"Vietnam holds an increasingly important position in the Asia-Pacific semiconductor ecosystem, as many semiconductor and high-tech companies expand their presence here," stated Ee-Hui Tan, Managing Director of FedEx Vietnam and Cambodia operations.
Additionally, Vietnam’s leading growth rate in semiconductor exports is partly due to its significantly smaller scale compared to major hubs. By 2025, its semiconductor export value is projected to rank 7th, only higher than Thailand, while Taiwan leads with 170 billion USD in export turnover.
Regarding imports, Vietnam also recorded the highest growth rate in the group, averaging 30% over the past decade, and ranked 4th in value, following Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea.
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Production at the Intel factory in Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Park. Photo: Intel Products Vietnam (IPV)
Growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing, electric vehicles, and advanced communication technologies drives semiconductor manufacturing. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has become the center of the global ecosystem, accounting for 58% of the industry's total revenue.
Operations in APAC are highly specialized: mainland China supplies materials, Taiwan produces advanced semiconductors, South Korea specializes in memory chips, and Japan plays an essential role in specialized equipment and inputs.
Meanwhile, Vietnam, along with Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, is categorized as handling back-end processes. These countries specialize in packaging and testing, module assembly, subsystem integration, and perform specialized processes such as advanced packaging and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) integration.
According to the report, the emergence of Vietnam’s first domestic chip fabrication facilities, such as the future Viettel factory, could stimulate the formation of local suppliers and startups.
Frost & Sullivan suggests that startups seek opportunities by developing advanced packaging solutions, including fan-out wafer-level packaging and 3D chip stacking. They can also focus on customized testing and assembly for high-reliability industries like medical and aerospace, or provide calibration services, connectors, and precision probes.
The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) reported that global semiconductor market revenue in the first half of the year reached 702 billion USD, an increase of 102% compared to the same period in 2025. Revenue for 2026 is forecast to reach 1.655 billion USD and further advance to 2.100 billion USD by 2027.
Within APAC, the semiconductor supply chain shows promise for attracting additional investment. A recent FedEx survey at the SEMICON Taiwan International Semiconductor Exhibition revealed that 35% of respondents expect their companies to expand manufacturing into more markets over the next 3 years. Another 25% aim to improve or diversify their supply chains.
Vien Thong
