On October 26, foreign media reported that Vietnam's first semiconductor plant has essentially missed its 2027 pilot production target. Multiple sources say the ASML chipmaking equipment purchase agreement has still not been reached, and the site outside Hanoi remains covered in weeds.
Reporters visited the site last week, and Planet Labs' January and Airbus's October satellite images confirm no buildings have been constructed. The project is developed by Viettel, a telecom and defense group run by Vietnam's military. A person directly familiar with the project said the 2027 target will likely not be met, because Viettel lacks experience building chip plants and faces administrative obstacles in quickly securing government funding. The government-led project is still moving forward, but the timeline is unclear.
Viettel insisted in a statement that the project is progressing on plan and schedule, with activities carried out in phases per technical requirements. Vietnam's Ministry of Finance did not respond to requests for comment, and ASML declined to comment on negotiations with Viettel. Notably, Viettel's talks with ASML have lasted months; three sources say they cover equipment procurement, but no agreement has been reached.
The project broke ground in January, when Viettel said it hoped the plant would be fully operational by 2030, supplying chips to aerospace, telecom, and automotive industries.
ICgoodFind Summary: From groundbreaking to a weed-covered site, Vietnam's first chip plant has stalled at equipment procurement and project experience. Building a fab is not just about funding and land—shortfalls in equipment agreements, operational experience, and administrative efficiency often surface only after construction begins.
