Vietnam is shifting from software outsourcing to technology creation.
According to Thieu Phuong Nam, General Director of Qualcomm Vietnam, Vietnam is gradually moving beyond its role as a manufacturing hub to participate more deeply in the global technology value chain.
In mid-May, Qualcomm inaugurated its Research and Development (R&D) center in Hanoi. Compared to the 2025 announcement, the center has expanded its research areas, encompassing not only AI but also semiconductors, IoT, and edge computing. Speaking to VnExpress after the event, Mr. Thieu Phuong Nam, General Director of Qualcomm Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, stated that Vietnam is no longer just a market for technology consumption or software outsourcing, but is gradually becoming more deeply involved in the technology game.
- Qualcomm previously stated that its R&D center in Vietnam would focus on AI. What prompted the company to expand its plans to other areas?
- Since our most recent announcement last year, we quickly realized that development opportunities in Vietnam lie not only in AI. Vietnam also has great potential in areas such as semiconductors, software, connectivity, and systems engineering – fields increasingly closely linked to AI.
The development speed of Vietnam's technology ecosystem has also far exceeded initial expectations. We see many positive factors in Vietnam, such as the quality of its human resources, the maturity of its technology ecosystem, and Vietnam's desire to participate deeply in the development of advanced technologies.
Another point is the adaptability of Vietnamese engineers. Therefore, Qualcomm's R&D center in Hanoi focuses not only on AI but also expands into semiconductors, automotive technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), and edge computing.
General Director of Qualcomm Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia - Thieu Phuong Nam. Photo: Trong Dat
- What qualities do Vietnamese engineers possess that make Qualcomm confident in entrusting them with additional research?
- What impresses us most is the adaptability and learning spirit of Vietnamese engineers. In the context of rapidly changing technology, the ability to continuously update knowledge and work flexibly across multiple fields is just as important as a strong technical expertise.
We have witnessed many Vietnamese engineers quickly integrate into the global R&D environment, participating in increasingly complex projects related to AI, software, semiconductors, and systems engineering. A strength of Vietnamese engineers is their strong mathematical and engineering foundation, which helps them quickly adapt and master complex technologies.
- How do you assess the gap and differences between Vietnam and leading technology centers in the world?
- Vietnam is gradually asserting its position as a technology and innovation center in Southeast Asia. What we see is not only the potential of the ecosystem, but also the quality of engineers, software development capabilities, and the ability to deeply participate in engineering design activities.
Vietnam also has many development priorities that coincide with global technology trends such as AI, semiconductors, advanced connectivity, and digital infrastructure. However, to go further, Vietnam needs to enhance its R&D capabilities, develop core technologies, and create intellectual property. At the current pace, Vietnam can absolutely become a strategic link in the technology ecosystem.
- In which technology areas can Vietnam create a global impact?
- The area we have particular confidence in Vietnam is edge computing, where AI is processed directly on devices and systems, instead of relying entirely on cloud computing. This is an essential trend for smartphones, automobiles, industrial IoT, robotics, and digital infrastructure.
Semiconductors and advanced connectivity are developing very rapidly. These are foundational technologies for next-generation intelligent systems. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into products and infrastructure, the ability to simultaneously optimize hardware, software, and connectivity will become especially important.
In the future, Vietnam could absolutely become a strategic link in the intelligent computing ecosystem, especially in areas related to AI, semiconductors, and connectivity technology.
- Vietnam has long been known for its role in software outsourcing; is it feasible to shift to core technologies?
- I believe every technology ecosystem goes through such a development process. In fact, very few countries can create core technologies from scratch.
What makes us confident in Vietnam is the quality of its technical workforce and the rapid development of its technology ecosystem. We have seen Vietnamese engineers directly involved in advanced projects in AI, semiconductors, integrated circuit design, and systems engineering.
Furthermore, Vietnam currently has many technology companies with sufficient potential and ambition to develop globally competitive technologies. Our partnerships with Viettel, VNPT, and VinFast demonstrate the increasing involvement of Vietnamese businesses in the technology value chain.
However, developing core technologies requires close collaboration between schools, training institutions, businesses, and the real-world technology ecosystem. That is why we are partnering with Vietnamese universities, connecting engineers with R&D teams.
Engineers working at Qualcomm's research and development center in Hanoi. Photo: Trong Dat
- Vietnam aims to master 10 strategic technologies. What do you think needs to be done to realize this goal?
- This direction aligns with current technological trends and Vietnam's strengths, given the increasing importance of fields such as AI, 6G, semiconductors, and Open RAN.
Vietnam currently has many technology companies and a skilled engineering workforce. Evidence of this is the collaboration between Qualcomm and Viettel on 5G Open RAN; they were among the first partners globally to commercialize and deploy the solution on a large scale. Similarly, VNPT was one of the first partners to bring Wi-Fi 7 integrated products to market. This demonstrates that Vietnamese businesses have the capacity to master and operate advanced technologies at a high level.
Technology is a global game. Therefore, domestic success alone is not enough. Vietnamese technology companies need to cultivate an open mindset and connect more deeply with international technology ecosystems.
- In the next 5-10 years, what role do you envision Qualcomm's R&D center in Vietnam playing within the group's network?
- We expect the R&D center in Vietnam to connect more deeply into Qualcomm's network. The goal is not only to expand the workforce but also to build world-class technical capabilities right here, directly contributing to the next generation of technology.
Each technical center contributes different perspectives and practical problems to shape how technology develops and is deployed. We believe Vietnam can play an increasingly important role in this process, especially in areas such as edge computing, on-device AI, and connected systems.
I hope to see Vietnam not only become a potential technology market, but also a place that creates technology and possesses technical capabilities with global influence.
Trong Dat
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