Meeting with the Fraunhofer ENAS Institute and Advancing Strategic Cooperation in Semiconductor and AI Development in Da Nang

On the afternoon of July 16, 2025, Mr. Ho Quang Buu, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, held an official meeting with Professor Dr. Harald Kuhn, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (ENAS), Federal Republic of Germany. Also attending the meeting were representatives from the Office of the People’s Committee, the Management Board of Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Zones, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Danang Semiconductor and AI Center (DSAC).

During the meeting, Professor Harald Kuhn provided an overview of Fraunhofer ENAS, a research institute under the renowned Fraunhofer Society, headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany. With a team of over 250 experts and state-of-the-art technical infrastructure, ENAS is recognized as one of Europe’s leading applied research centers in the fields of MEMS, smart sensors, embedded systems, and 3D semiconductor packaging technologies. The institute is a key member of the Silicon Saxony cluster, Europe’s largest semiconductor hub, and has actively engaged in multiple cooperation activities with Vietnamese partners in recent years.

Key Discussion Points and Proposed Areas of Cooperation

Professor Kuhn expressed his strong impression of Da Nang’s vision and strategy for science and technology development, especially in the two priority fields of semiconductor and artificial intelligence. Based on the findings from a field visit to Da Nang’s high-tech ecosystem, the ENAS delegation proposed three potential areas for collaboration in the near future.

First, ENAS expressed its willingness to support Da Nang in developing a high-quality technical workforce for semiconductor testing and advanced packaging (ATP), with a particular emphasis on practical training and skill enhancement for young engineers.

Second, the institute proposed to share its expertise in the construction and operation of cleanroom facilities and other essential R&D infrastructure for semiconductor design and production.

Third, Professor Kuhn suggested the potential establishment of a Chiplet Innovation Center in Da Nang, jointly operated by ENAS and local stakeholders, to promote innovation in heterogeneous integration and system-level semiconductor solutions.

In response, Vice Chairman Ho Quang Buu reaffirmed that semiconductor and artificial intelligence are among the city’s top strategic priorities for high-tech development. He welcomed the proposals from Fraunhofer ENAS and emphasized that the city will assign relevant departments and agencies to closely coordinate with the German institute to explore feasible pathways for implementation. He also expressed the city’s intent to further strengthen connections with strategic partners from Germany in the field of microelectronics.

Technical Ecosystem Site Visit Coordinated by DSAC

The working visit of Fraunhofer ENAS to Da Nang took place over three days, from July 14 to 16, 2025, and was organized and facilitated by the DSAC. Throughout the visit, the delegation held working sessions with various enterprises, research institutions, and universities to assess the current landscape and explore the potential for developing a robust high-tech ecosystem in Da Nang. These sessions focused on potential directions for collaboration in semiconductor and AI development, particularly in areas such as workforce training, technical infrastructure, and the establishment of integrated experimental–industrial laboratories.

During the discussions with semiconductor-related companies including Marvell, Synopsys, FPT Semiconductor, Mixel Vietnam, Connexus Technology, Veron Group, Vsemtek, Foxlink, Trung Nam EMS, LTD Material, and VSAP Lab, participants exchanged insights on applying technologies in real-world conditions, accessing shared cleanroom infrastructure, and proposed potential solutions aligned with their respective R&D and manufacturing needs. While still at the proposal stage, the discussions emphasized the importance of shared facilities, joint research groups, and early-stage engagement in global semiconductor supply chains.

Additionally, the delegation visited the University of Science and Technology – University of Danang and the Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology to learn about their training programs and the quality of human resources in microelectronics and semiconductor engineering. The meetings acknowledged the universities’ efforts in updating curricula and expanding international cooperation, and explored the possibility of launching bilateral internship and research exchange programs between Vietnam and Germany in the coming years.

The working visit of Fraunhofer ENAS to Da Nang contributed significantly to deepening the cooperative relationship between the city and German partners. It also opened practical opportunities for implementing strategic high-tech projects, thereby supporting the sustainable development of the local semiconductor–AI ecosystem and improving the quality of the technical workforce in the region.

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