Tóm tắt

Vietnam is placing high-quality human resource development at the centre of its industrial transformation through recent national strategies and sector-specific programmes, particularly in semiconductors, science and technology, and digital transformation. Recent Vietnam–Japan cooperation reflects this policy direction through initiatives that combine higher education, joint research, technology transfer, and industry collaboration. This article reviews recent policy developments and cooperation initiatives to discuss their implications for future collaboration in high-quality human resource development.

Vietnam’s policy direction for high-quality human resource development

Recent national strategies and policy resolutions place high-quality human resource (HHR) development among Vietnam’s key development priorities, with increasing emphasis on meeting the workforce requirements of industrial upgrading, digital transformation, science and technology, strategic industries and international integration. The Socio-Economic Development Strategy (SEDS) 2021–2030 defines human resource development as a comprehensive agenda encompassing not only technical skills and qualifications but also health, ethics, responsibility, and managerial capacity. The Strategy also identifies four priority workforce groups—technical, digital, managerial, and social service professionals—to meet the demands of Industry 4.0 and international integration. Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW (2025) on Breakthroughs in Education and Training Development sets ambitious targets to strengthen tertiary and vocational education, raise the proportion of workers with college and university qualifications, and increase enrolment in science, engineering, and technology disciplines, with the objective of developing a high-quality workforce for a modern industrial economy[1]. Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW (2024) on Breakthroughs in Science, Technology, Innovation, and National Digital Transformation Development identifies the development and effective utilization of high-quality talent as one of its seven strategic tasks, while setting a target to increase the science, technology, and innovation workforce to 12 personnel per 10,000 population[2].

Decision No. 1017/QĐ-TTg (2024) approving the Program on Human Resource Development for the Semiconductor Industry to 2030, with a Vision to 2050 identifies semiconductor talent development as the “breakthrough of breakthroughs” in high-quality human resource development. The Decision introduces dedicated policy mechanisms to support universities, experts, lecturers, and learners, and targets the training of at least 50,000 university-level semiconductor professionals by 2030 across semiconductor design, packaging, testing, and manufacturing[3].

Recent momentum in Vietnam–Japan cooperation on high-quality human resource development

Cooperation policy direction

Recently, Japan has consistently positioned high-quality human resource development in semiconductor and AI as a strategic priority within the Vietnam–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while embedding workforce development within broader cooperation on science, technology and industrial development. During the meeting between Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and JICA President Tanaka Akihiko in June 2026, JICA proposed four priority pillars for ODA cooperation with Vietnam in the coming period, including high-quality human resource development, industrial and supply chain development, institutional and policy development, and infrastructure development. President Tanaka also identified science and technology as a key area of cooperation, highlighting potential collaboration in semiconductor workforce development, leadership training for digital transformation, and a Japanese budget support loan for AI and digital transformation[4].  Earlier, at a press conference held by the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam in April 2026, Ambassador Ito Naoki announced Japan’s commitment to support the training of approximately 250 Vietnamese doctoral students for the semiconductor industry[5].

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung meets JICA President Tanaka Akihiko, June 11, 2026

Nguồn: baochinhphu.vn

Semiconductor Cooperation in Practice: The NEXUS Programme

A concrete example of this approach is the NEXUS programme, a regional science and technology initiative launched by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) for ASEAN during 2024–2029[6]. Although the programme focuses on research collaboration, it also serves as an important platform for developing high-quality human resources through joint university partnerships, collaborative research, and researcher mobility. Within NEXUS, each ASEAN member has been assigned a different focus area. Vietnam has been designated the sole country in the region dedicated entirely to semiconductors. In May 2026, Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology approved five joint research projects under this framework. All five sit within the semiconductor value chain — 3D integrated circuits, high-mobility transistor materials, environmental sensors, power electronics, and an AI SoC chip project, where the AI component refers to chip hardware built to run AI workloads rather than a separate research track. Each project pairs a Vietnamese university with a Japanese counterpart, including Hanoi National University of Education with Hiroshima University, VNU University of Science with NAIST, Hanoi University of Science and Technology with the University of Tokyo, and Phenikaa University with Ritsumeikan University[7]. Ten more projects are planned for co-funding in 2026, and 60 young Vietnamese PhD researchers have been agreed upon for joint research in Japan[8]. Taken together, NEXUS demonstrates how Vietnam–Japan cooperation integrates joint research, university partnerships, and talent development to support Vietnam’s semiconductor workforce.

University partnerships as platforms for high-quality human resource development

VJU as a convergence point for Vietnam–Japan high-quality human resource strategy

Among the various channels of Vietnam–Japan human resource cooperation, Vietnam Japan University (VJU) stands out as the institution where multiple strategic threads come together. VJU has received sustained Japanese technical assistance since its founding in 2014, through three consecutive JICA technical cooperation phases with cumulative funding of nearly 10 billion yen; a third phase (2026–2031) is now being prepared to shift focus from operational support toward research capacity and industry linkages[9]. The university has also contributed to Vietnam’s semiconductor workforce development through its Bachelor’s Programme in Semiconductor Chip Engineering, aligned with the country’s national priorities[10].  Besides, VJU has started building direct ties with Japan’s semiconductor industry, including a December 2025 delegation visit to Kumamoto University, located in one of Japan’s major chip manufacturing clusters[11]. On the academic side, the involvement runs deep – seven leading Japanese universities have directly participated in designing VJU’s curricula[12]. VJU has also picked up international quality certification (iJAS, from the Japan University Accreditation Association, May 2025), which points to an institution maturing past the pilot-project stage[13].

The formal intergovernmental agreement underpinning VJU’s long-term governance is still being finalized, with some details still under discussion. Even so, the trajectory is visibly forward-moving: the Hoa Lac campus project, funded through ODA, is targeting groundbreaking in 2026, and both governments have reaffirmed VJU as a priority project following the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit in May 2026[14].

Can Tho University: A Regional Hub Built on Long-Term Vietnam–Japan Cooperation

Can Tho University (CTU) has become an important platform for Vietnam–Japan cooperation in higher education and human resource development, supported by nearly three decades of collaboration. This partnership includes a JICA grant aid project to establish the College of Agriculture (1993–1995), a Japanese ODA Yen Loan project for campus infrastructure (2015–2022), and two consecutive phases of technical cooperation: TC1 (2016–2021) and the ongoing TC2 project (2022–2027). The current TC2 project aims to strengthen CTU’s contribution to the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta by promoting collaboration among universities, local governments, and industry. The project is structured around three components: education and training; joint research and technology transfer; and regional collaboration. Under the joint research and technology transfer component, eight Japanese partner universities—including the University of Tokyo, Hokkaido University, Kyushu University, and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology—are participating in twelve collaborative research projects covering rice production, aquaculture, food safety, coastal erosion monitoring, and regional data systems across multiple Mekong Delta provinces. These projects combine academic research with local implementation, reflecting the broader direction of Vietnam–Japan cooperation to strengthen science and technology collaboration while developing high-quality human resources capable of addressing practical development challenges. With the TC2 project continuing through 2027, the CTU partnership illustrates a long-term model of Vietnam–Japan cooperation that integrates education, research, technology transfer, and regional engagement within a single institutional framework[15]. The programme also illustrates how long-term university partnerships can support high-quality human resource development alongside applied research and technology cooperation.

Discussion: Emerging opportunities

Taken together, the recent policy developments and cooperation initiatives suggest that Vietnam–Japan collaboration on high-quality human resource development is entering a more integrated stage, where education, research, technology cooperation, and industrial development are increasingly pursued through interconnected institutional partnerships. This direction creates favourable conditions for expanding collaboration in sectors that have received strong policy support from both governments, particularly semiconductors, digital transformation, and science and technology, while also reinforcing cooperation in applied fields such as agriculture, environmental sustainability, and regional development.

Another notable trend is the growing role of higher education institutions as long-term platforms for bilateral cooperation. Recent initiatives demonstrate a broader model that combines curriculum development, joint research, researcher mobility, technology transfer, and industry engagement. The experiences of the Vietnam Japan University (VJU), Can Tho University (CTU), and the NEXUS programme illustrate different but complementary approaches to developing high-quality human resources through sustained institutional collaboration.

Recent initiatives also indicate increasing opportunities to strengthen linkages between universities, research institutions, and industry. As human resource development programmes become more closely aligned with national industrial priorities, collaborative research, technology transfer, and industry participation are expected to play a greater role in supporting innovation ecosystems and developing workforce capabilities for strategic industries.

* Nếu bạn muốn trích dẫn bất kỳ thông tin nào từ bài viết này, vui lòng ghi rõ nguồn và cung cấp liên kết đến bài viết gốc để tôn trọng bản quyền. 

[1] Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo on Breakthroughs in Education and Training Development <Truy cập>

[2]Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on Breakthroughs in Science, Technology, Innovation and National Digital Transformation Development <Truy cập>

[3] Decision No. 1017/QĐ-TTg approving the Program on Human Resource Development for the Semiconductor Industry to 2030, with a Vision to 2050 <Truy cập>

[4] VietnamPlus. PM calls on JICA to support Vietnam’s industrialisation through new-generation ODA <Truy cập>

[5] Nhan Dan Online. Promoting Vietnam–Japan Cooperation Across Four Key Pillars. <Truy cập>

[6] VnExpress. Vietnam and Japan Launch Five Joint Semiconductor Research Projects <Truy cập>

[7] Suc khoe & Doi song. Ministry of Science and Technology Announces Five Vietnam–Japan Joint Semiconductor Research Projects <Truy cập>

[8] VietnamPlus. Vietnam and Japan Promote Cooperation in Science, Technology and Semiconductors <Truy cập>

[9] Vietnam National University (VNU). JICA President Tanaka Akihiko: Seven Leading Japanese Universities Have Directly Contributed to Developing Academic Programs at Vietnam Japan University <Truy cập>

[10] Tuyensinh247. Admission Scheme – Vietnam Japan University (VJU) <Truy cập>

[11] Vietnam National University (VNU). Promoting the Finalization of the Vietnam–Japan Intergovernmental Agreement to Create Strong Momentum for the Development of Vietnam Japan University (VJU) <Truy cập>

[12] Vietnam National University (VNU). JICA President Tanaka Akihiko: Seven Leading Japanese Universities Have Directly Contributed to Developing Academic Programs at Vietnam Japan University <Truy cập>

[13] Vietnam Japan University (VJU). VJU admissions information document <Truy cập>

[14] Giao duc & Thoi dai. Vietnam–Japan Promote the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Development of Vietnam Japan University <Truy cập>

[15] Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Project for Enhancing Science-based Integrated Management of Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta (SDMD2045) <Truy cập>