Microelectronics plays a particularly key role: it not only forms the backbone of modern, complex technologies, but also enables innovative solutions in numerous fields of application – from mobility, aerospace and medical technology to consumer electronics and Industry 4.0. However, due to ever shorter innovation cycles for state-of-the-art high-tech products, the global demand for efficient microelectronics solutions for important future industries is also growing.
Strengthening Vietnam as a future microelectronics location
As one of the economically fastest growing countries in Asia, Vietnam is set to develop into an important global player for the chip industry in the coming years. The aim is to meet the growing demand for semiconductors, reduce dependencies on international suppliers and strengthen the resilience of global supply chains in the face of geopolitical tensions.
Central strategic steps on this path are the targeted promotion of excellent research, the close networking of relevant semiconductor players and the accelerated development of innovative products and processes. To this end, Fraunhofer ENAS and Becamex IDC Corporation will work closely together in the future. The Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2024 has now been followed by a cooperation agreement, which was concluded in April 2025. The plan is to establish a research and development center for microelectronics and nanotechnology in the economically strong province of Binh Duong. Under the leadership of Becamex IDC Corporation, the region is set to develop into a leading semiconductor location of national importance in Vietnam in the coming years.
Establishment of an innovation hub based on the European model
The aim of the new center is to enable close networking between research, industry and science and thus promote the development of new semiconductor technologies – from chip designs to complex wafer and packaging technologies to high-performance microelectronic solutions for high-tech industries. Saxony’s model as a successful location for the chip industry in Europe should serve as a role model.
“The Free State of Saxony has developed into the most important microelectronics location in Europe in recent years. This is where the ideas of tomorrow are born, which are making their triumphal march into the world as future technologies from the metropolitan region of Central Germany. A key success factor for this innovative strength is the close cooperation between numerous industry, research and development partners. The location of renowned players in semiconductor production and the scientific excellence of outstanding research institutes and universities complement each other ideally in the Free State and form a unique ecosystem for high-tech solutions, in which we as a research institute in Chemnitz are also integrated. Following this successful model, the Vietnamese province of Binh Duong is also set to develop into a leading semiconductor location with a lighthouse character. Embedded in this strong network of research, industry and science, Fraunhofer ENAS will be the first research institute in the field of microelectronics in Vietnam to work together with local partners in the new research center on sustainable solutions for today’s and future key industries,” explains Prof. Dr. Harald Kuhn, head of the institute at Chemnitz University of Technology. Harald Kuhn, Institute Director at Fraunhofer ENAS, explains the objective of the planned new research center in Binh Duong province.
Nguyen Van Hung, President of Becamex IDC Corporation, adds: “We are very pleased to establish a research and development center based on the German and European model together with Fraunhofer ENAS. At the same time, Becamex IDC is taking a leading role in building a next-generation industrial ecosystem in Vietnam that combines industry, urban development, science, technology and innovation. A key element is the implementation of Vietnam’s first Eco-Industrial Park (EIP), which was developed in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, according to the EIP 2.0 standard. The aim of this initiative is to achieve carbon neutrality, utilize green energy (Phase 1: over 300 MW) and implement a closed-loop energy system that ensures a stable and uninterrupted power supply for investors. In addition, we promote the principles of circular economy and industrial symbiosis and are developing a water supply system in accordance with international standards (SEMI F63 and ASTM D5127) that meets the requirements of the electronics and semiconductor industries in particular. Our ecosystem goes beyond mere infrastructure. It is designed to strengthen innovation through research and development centers, shared infrastructure, a science and technology park and specialized high-tech industrial zones. Within this ecosystem, the Eastern International University (EIU) and the Fraunhofer ENAS play a key role in networking business, science and research. They thus make an important contribution to the training of highly qualified specialists and to the further development of research and development in the fields of microelectronics, IC design and semiconductor technologies. The cooperation between Becamex IDC and Fraunhofer ENAS creates the basis for a modern, sustainable and future-oriented technological infrastructure.”
Transnational cooperation in research and education
In addition to building up scientific and technological expertise, the establishment of the new research and development center will also contribute to the training of young talent. With eight universities and eight colleges, such as the Vietnamese-German University (VGU) and the Eastern International University (EIU), as well as more than 100 vocational schools, Binh Duong province already has an excellent and close-knit higher education, training and research landscape.
“The development of the region as an innovation ecosystem will require microtechnology expertise for research and production of semiconductor technologies. The emerging center will be complemented by study and teaching opportunities that will focus even more strongly on the fields of microelectronics and microtechnology in the future. This will make a decisive contribution to the training of urgently needed young scientists and meet the industry’s need for highly qualified specialists,” explains Dr. Thomas Aulig, Vice President of the Vietnamese-German University in Binh Duong.
Luat Nguyen, Managing Director of Cicor Vietnam Company Limited, who initiated the cooperation between Germany and Vietnam and laid the foundation for the transnational partnership between Fraunhofer ENAS and Becamex IDC Corporation, is convinced that the strengthening of the relationship between the two countries marks an important milestone: “The close connection between German research excellence and the high economic dynamics of Asia offers enormous potential for the development of future-oriented technologies and is central to establishing Vietnam as a leading location in the global semiconductor value chain. The partnership between Fraunhofer ENAS and Becamex IDC Corporation is a pioneering step in this direction and creates ideal conditions to sustainably strengthen Binh Duong Province as a center for microelectronics.”
About Fraunhofer ENAS
The particular strength of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS lies in the holistic development of “intelligent systems” for various applications. The institute’s research activities range from the development of novel wafer and packaging technologies to the production of electronic components, micro and nano sensors and actuators, as well as the development of system concepts and system integration technologies, including communication interfaces. Using state-of-the-art and AI-supported test and reliability methods, Fraunhofer ENAS transfers the developed solutions into practical use. The institute accompanies customer projects from the idea to the design, technology development or implementation based on existing technologies through to the tested prototype.
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Further links
👉 www.enas.fraunhofer.de
Photo: Becamex IDC
