Vietnam has urged Japan to enhance collaboration in strategic technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy, alongside seeking increased support for workforce development. This appeal was made during a meeting on September 3 between Vietnamese science and technology officials and a delegation from Japan’s House of Representatives. Discussions centered on advancing semiconductor research, AI, energy technologies, and personnel training, while also aiming for stronger business cooperation in these critical sectors.
Through the NEXUS joint research program, both nations are striving to co-fund semiconductor research, focusing on areas like chip design, advanced materials, supporting technologies, and manufacturing. Plans are in place to broaden this collaboration beyond 2027. Additionally, Vietnam seeks Japanese assistance in developing its sovereign AI capabilities and Vietnamese-language large language models. An upcoming joint Vietnam-Japan working group meeting in October is expected to further technology transfer efforts and reinforce business connections in the semiconductor industry.
Vietnam has proposed transforming NEXUS into an annual cooperation mechanism, expanding its scope to include AI, new materials, renewable energy, and biomedicine. The proposal also calls for deeper business partnerships and enhanced training for highly skilled engineers and experts in strategic technology domains. Japan, on its part, has shown interest in Vietnam’s semiconductor development, labor policies, and comprehensive energy strategy, including the expansion of nuclear power.
Vietnam is pursuing a diverse energy mix that combines conventional energy sources, renewables, and nuclear power, with ongoing research into small modular reactors. The country emphasized that its energy transition will require substantial investment and a highly skilled workforce, expressing hope that Japan will continue to be a key partner in building the necessary energy infrastructure to support Vietnam’s burgeoning high-tech industries.