STRATEGIC INVESTORS – STRATEGIC PARTNERS

DSAC values strategic investors and partners as key collaborators in building an innovative ecosystem and driving sustainable growth in semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

LIST OF RESOLUTIONS

01

Pursuant to Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 on the organization of urban administration and the pilot implementation of certain specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang City.

DETAIL

02

Pursuant to Resolution No. 57/2024/NQ-HDND promulgating policies on the development of human resources in the fields of semiconductor microchips and artificial intelligence in Da Nang City.

DETAIL

03

Pursuant to Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND stipulating incentive policies, contents, and levels of support for information infrastructure assets to promote the development of semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors; as well as the procedures for receiving, managing, utilizing, and operating such infrastructure assets in Da Nang City.

DETAIL

04

Resolution No. 59/2024/NQ-HDND sets out the provisions for verifying enterprises operating in the fields of semiconductors and artificial intelligence within Da Nang City.

DETAIL

SUMMARY

Article 12 – Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15: Strategic Investor Attraction

Da Nang City prioritizes attracting strategic investors in the following sectors:

a) Innovation & High-tech R&D: Projects involving innovation centers, data centers, R&D centers, and high-tech transfer in IT, AI, biotech, automation, advanced materials, and clean energy with a minimum investment of VND 2,000 billion.

b) Semiconductor Industry: Projects in semiconductor chips, integrated circuits (IC), flexible electronics (PE), and new-generation batteries with a minimum investment of VND 4,000 billion.

c) Free Trade Zone Infrastructure: Construction of commercial, logistics, and production zones with investment from VND 3,000 billion.

  • Inland Waterway Tourism: Projects with a minimum investment of VND 8,000 billion.

  • Lien Chieu Port Development: Comprehensive port project with investment from VND 45,000 billion.

d) Investor Requirements:

  • Written commitments to legal obligations, workforce training, national security, and environmental protection.

  • Minimum charter capital and experience requirements based on investment categories, ranging from VND 500 billion to VND 9,000 billion, and relevant prior project experience.

Article 3 – Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND: Support Policies for Strategic Investors in Semiconductor & AI

  1. Financial Support:

    • Up to 5% of total costs for equipment, asset relocation, and technology acquisition for new projects, with a cap of VND 200 billion/project.

    • Each investor can only receive support once.

  3. Infrastructure Support:

    • 50% of infrastructure rental costs (excluding services), up to VND 500 million/year, for the first 2 years.

Article 7 – Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND: Setup Cost Support for Information Infrastructure Rental

a)Initial setup support: VND 100,000/m², up to VND 200 million/object.

b) Support is granted only once per entity.

Article 5 of Resolution No. 57/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates support policies for strategic partners in the fields of semiconductor and artificial intelligence in the City:

1. Criteria and conditions for enterprises to receive support for hiring highly qualified personnel:

a) The enterprise must be a strategic partner in the field of semiconductors and artificial intelligence operating in the City, as defined in Clause 2, Article 3 of Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15.

b) The personnel must meet one of the following criteria:

– Head of a branch or representative office of the enterprise;

– Head of and directly managing at least one area of an agency, organization, or enterprise, under the direct supervision and management of the head of that agency, organization, or enterprise;

– Engineer with at least 5 years of experience in semiconductors or artificial intelligence, and at least 2 years working in enterprises or organizations in these fields that have a global revenue of at least VND 2,500 billion;

– Engineer with at least 5 years of experience in semiconductors or artificial intelligence, and at least 2 years working at educational institutions offering programs in these fields, which are ranked among the world’s top 400 according to The Times Higher Education (THE), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), or Webometrics.

2. Support policy:

Support 30% of the cost of hiring highly qualified personnel working at strategic partner enterprises in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors in the City for the first 5 years, with a maximum support amount of VND 1 billion/year/enterprise.

3. Procedures and processes:

The procedures for receiving the policy support under this Article are specified in Article 9 of this Resolution.

Article 4 of Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates the support policy for strategic partners in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors as follows:

  1. Strategic partners shall be supported by the City budget up to 5% of the total costs for purchasing production support equipment, transporting assets, production lines, equipment, and technology for new investment projects; the support shall not exceed VND 200 billion per project. Each strategic partner is eligible for support only once.

  2. Entitled to directly lease information infrastructure assets without going through an auction.

  3. Entitled to support 50% of the cost of leasing information infrastructure assets (excluding service costs), with a maximum of VND 500 million/year during the first 2 years.

Article 7 of Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates the support policy for initial setup costs when leasing information infrastructure assets (unfinished areas such as flooring, false ceiling, lighting, internal network):

a) Support of VND 100,000/m² for initial setup costs, up to a maximum of VND 200 million per entity.

b) Each entity is eligible for support only once.

ENTERPRISE

DSAC develops flexible policies and works alongside businesses to facilitate investment, research, and development in the fields of semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

LIST OF RESOLUTIONS

01

Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates incentive policies, the content and levels of support for information infrastructure assets to promote the development of the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors; as well as the procedures for receiving, managing, utilizing, and operating these infrastructure assets within Da Nang City.

DETAIL

02

Resolution No. 59/2024/NQ-HDND sets out the provisions for verifying enterprises operating in the fields of semiconductors and artificial intelligence within Da Nang City.

DETAIL

SUMMARY

Article 5 of Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates support policies for organizations and enterprises operating in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors as follows:

1. Applicable Entities

Organizations and enterprises leasing information infrastructure assets and meeting the following conditions:

a) Legally established under the Enterprise Law, headquartered and registered for tax declaration in Da Nang City;

b) Operating and generating revenue in the semiconductor or AI sectors:

  • Micro-enterprises: Minimum revenue of VND 100 million/year;

  • Small enterprises: Minimum revenue of VND 500 million/year;

  • Medium and large enterprises: Minimum revenue of VND 2 billion/year;

c) Not in arrears on taxes or social insurance contributions at the time of applying for support.

2. Support Content and Level

a) Support for rental expenses of information infrastructure assets (excluding service costs):

  • Micro and small enterprises: 50% of rental cost, up to VND 200 million/year;

  • Medium and large enterprises: 25% of rental cost, up to VND 250 million/year;

b) The support period shall not exceed two years per enterprise.

Article 7 of Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates support for initial setup costs for leasing unfinished infrastructure assets (without flooring, ceiling, lighting, internal network):

a) Support of VND 100,000/m², up to VND 200 million per entity;

b) Each entity may receive this support only once.

Article 6 of Resolution No. 58/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates support policies for innovative startups and investment projects in the semiconductor and AI sectors as follows:

1. Applicable Entities

a) Startup investment projects conducted and applied in Da Nang City with the following conditions:

  • Engage in research, development, application, or technology transfer of prioritized technical solutions; develop new investment or cooperation models;

  • Commit to and be responsible for using allocated space for the intended purpose.

b) Startup enterprises in these sectors must:

  • Carry out innovative activities leveraging intellectual property, novel business models, and high growth potential;

  • Be operating for no more than five years since their first business registration;

  • Be legally established and headquartered in Da Nang City;

  • Commit to appropriate use of allocated space.

2. Support Content and Level

Free allocation of up to 100m² of space in product development and training zones for semiconductors and AI, with a maximum duration of 3 years per project or enterprise.

3. Revocation Clause

Enterprises or project owners failing to fulfill their commitments will have their allocated space revoked.

Article 4 of Resolution No. 59/2024/NQ-HDND defines the activities of semiconductor enterprises, including:

1. Design

a) Participation in full or partial stages of chip architecture, logical design (Front End), and physical design (Back End);

b) Design and provision of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software and tools;

c) Supply of IP cores and related services;

d) R&D and training in semiconductor design, manufacturing, packaging, and testing.

2. Manufacturing

a) Semiconductor manufacturing and chip fabrication;

b) Production of materials, tools, and equipment for semiconductor production, such as:

  • Wafer, photomasks;

  • Semiconductor materials (e.g., silicon, GaN, ZnO);

  • Components (transistors, ICs, PCBs, memory);

  • OEM/ODM electronics (excluding assembly-only companies);

  • Equipment (photolithography machines, wafer polishers, etc.).

3. Packaging and Testing

Partial or full participation in chip packaging and testing processes.

Article 6 of Resolution No. 59/2024/NQ-HDND specifies the criteria and conditions to qualify as a semiconductor enterprise:

  • Active enterprise legally established in Da Nang;

  • Registered with specific business codes (e.g., 2610, 7212, 5820, etc.);

  • Employing semiconductor professionals;

  • Investing in or generating revenue from semiconductor activities.

Article 5 of Resolution No. 59/2024/NQ-HDND defines AI enterprise activities in areas such as:

1. Infrastructure

  • Providing high-performance computing infrastructure (e.g., GPU, NPU);

  • Supporting simulation models.

2. Data

  • Data collection, labeling, annotation, QA, augmentation, management;

  • Data mining and classification using machine learning techniques.

3. Applications

  • Computer vision systems (e.g., facial, biometric recognition);

  • Speech processing (e.g., speech-to-text, text-to-speech);

  • NLP systems (e.g., handwriting recognition, translation, digital assistants);

  • Behavior analytics, anomaly detection, expert systems, autonomous systems;

  • Generative AI systems.

Article 7 of Resolution No. 59/2024/NQ-HDND sets out the criteria and conditions for AI enterprises in Da Nang:

  • Participation in activities defined in Article 5;

  • Legally established in Da Nang with registration under AI-specific codes per Decision No. 1354/QD-BTTTT;

  • Employing AI personnel;

  • Engaging in AI-related investment, revenue, or product development.

Article 8 of Resolution No. 59/2024/NQ-HDND outlines criteria to determine individuals eligible for income tax exemption when working in design, production, packaging, and testing at semiconductor and AI enterprises:

  1. A valid labor or expert contract with a recognized enterprise, including job descriptions relevant to the semiconductor or AI fields.

  2. Documentation proving involvement in related professional activities.

Article 10 prescribes the procedures for tax exemption under Article 14 of Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15:

a) Personal Income Tax Exemption: Individuals must present supporting documents and an enterprise certification issued by the Department of Information and Communications to the Tax Department during annual tax finalization.

b) Corporate Income Tax Exemption: Organizations must present similar documentation when filing for exemption on capital transfers or equity contributions in certified semiconductor or AI enterprises.

Article 11 clarifies the timing of tax benefits:

  • Exemption takes effect from the issuance date of the certification by the Department of Information and Communications;

  • Applies to pre-existing shareholders or contributors from the date of certification.

EXPERTS & SCIENTISTS

DSAC offers policies that attract and support experts and scientists, fostering an ideal working environment for applied research and technology transfer in key innovation.

LIST OF RESOLUTIONS

01

Resolution No. 57/2024/NQ-HDND promulgates policies on the development of human resources in the fields of semiconductor and artificial intelligence in Da Nang City.

DETAIL

SUMMARY

Translation – Article 4 of Resolution No. 57/2024/NQ-HDND:

Article 4 of Resolution No. 57/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates the criteria, recruitment standards, and support policies regarding income and accommodation allowances for experts and scientists working in the fields of semiconductors and artificial intelligence in Da Nang City as follows:

1. Criteria

a) Possess outstanding professional competence in the field of semiconductors or artificial intelligence;
b) Capable of leading, gathering, and developing teams in these fields;
c) Comply with the laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2. Recruitment Standards

a) Within five years prior to recruitment, experts and scientists must meet at least one of the following conditions:

– Have had an annual income of at least VND 1 billion if working in Vietnam, or at least VND 5 billion if working abroad;
– Hold a doctoral degree or higher and be engaged in scientific and technological activities related to semiconductors or AI;
– Meet the following formula:
 Years of experience + (5 × Number of IP certificates) ≥ 20
 (In which the IP certificates must be issued under Vietnamese IP law or recognized under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member);
– Have held a key position (e.g., director, manager, senior engineer) for at least 3 years at a company in the semiconductor or AI sectors with global revenue of VND 2,500 billion or more, or at a higher education institution in the top 400 global rankings (THE, QS, or Webometrics).

b) Experts and scientists must be employed by organizations, agencies, higher education institutions, training-support institutions, or enterprises based in Da Nang City for a minimum duration of 1 year.

3. Support Policies for Experts and Scientists Working in Enterprises or Institutions in Da Nang

a) One-time initial income support of VND 100 million/person.
b) Accommodation support of up to VND 20 million/month during the working period (with legal receipts), for a maximum of 1 year.
c) R&D income support for work in semiconductor and AI sectors in Da Nang:

– Reimbursement equivalent to publication costs for scientific articles (led by the expert/scientist) in recognized high-quality journals as defined by city-level science and technology incentive policies;
– VND 25 million per domestic patent, VND 50 million per international patent (granted invention patents).

4. Support Policies for Experts and Scientists Working in Public Institutions or Government Agencies

a) Maximum monthly income of VND 50 million, for project/program duration and no longer than 1 year.
b) Accommodation support of up to VND 20 million/month, with receipts, for a maximum of 1 year.
c) Same R&D income support as in Section 3:

– Support equal to publication fees for qualified journal articles;
– VND 25 million for each domestic invention patent, VND 50 million for each international invention patent.

5. Implementation and Oversight

The Da Nang People’s Committee shall periodically propose a list of eligible experts and scientists to receive the above benefits for review and decision by the City People’s Council.

INDIVIDUALS

DSAC provides individual-focused policies that empower personal growth, education, and career development in cutting-edge fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

LIST OF RESOLUTIONS

01

Resolution No. 57/2024/NQ-HDND stipulates policies for the development of human resources in the fields of semiconductor and artificial intelligence in Da Nang City.

DETAIL

SUMMARY

Article 6 – Resolution No. 57/2024/NQ-HDND

Regulations on training and upskilling programs/projects supported by the City budget for individuals studying semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI).

1. Programs and projects eligible for City budget support include:

a) Training and upskilling programs in design, manufacturing, packaging, and testing of semiconductors and AI, conducted at training institutions located in Da Nang or through the City’s Semiconductor & AI Training Alliance. These must fall under the following academic fields (as defined in Circular No. 09/2022/TT-BGDĐT dated June 6, 2022):

  • 75103: Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering Technology

  • 75202: Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering

  • 74801: Computer Science

  • 74802: Information Technology

b) Training and upskilling programs in the same fields offered by foreign institutions ranked among the top 400 universities worldwide according to The Times Higher Education (THE), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), or Webometrics.

c) Specialized training programs/projects conducted by strategic partner enterprises in the semiconductor and AI fields or by members of the City’s Semiconductor & AI Training Alliance.

2. Support policy for individuals studying semiconductors and AI under programs listed in point a, clause 1:

a) Eligible participants:
Individuals enrolled in semiconductor and AI programs at training institutions in Da Nang.

b) Support measures:

  • Eligible for a student loan equivalent to tuition fees, with preferential interest rates in line with Government regulations for student credit programs, provided by the City’s Social Policy Bank. The total loan amount must not exceed VND 180 million for the entire course.

  • 100% loan forgiveness (principal and interest) if the individual works for at least 3 years post-graduation at a semiconductor or AI-related organization or enterprise within Da Nang.

3. Support policy for participants in programs listed in points b and c, clause 1:

a) Eligible participants:
Individuals teaching or conducting research at Da Nang-based institutions, the Da Nang Center for Semiconductor & AI Design Training and Research, or relevant enterprises in Da Nang.

b) Conditions:

  • After completion, individuals must fulfill a work, teaching, or research commitment in Da Nang (as per a signed training contract).

  • The People’s Committee of Da Nang shall determine appropriate commitment periods depending on each training program.

  • Non-compliance with the commitment requires full reimbursement of all financial support received.

c) Support measures:

  • 100% tuition support for training/upskilling; partial or full coverage of additional mandatory costs (if any) related to domestic or international training programs.

  • For postdoctoral training: candidates with approved research proposals and placements at reputable international institutions are eligible for a research grant of up to VND 200 million for the entire training duration.

4. The Da Nang People’s Committee shall regularly review and propose eligible participants and funding levels (under clauses 2 and 3) for consideration and approval by the City People’s Council.

The Development Plan for the Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Sectors in Da Nang City.

View details here

Da Nang identifies three breakthrough directions for developing the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries: infrastructure, policy, and human resources. The city also outlines a two-phase development roadmap.

Phase 2024–2027: The city will focus on human resource training tied to attracting foreign investment in semiconductor and AI design; support research activities, technological development, and innovation at training institutions, startups, and micro and small enterprises.

Phase 2027–2030: Priority will be given to developing domestic businesses and startups, along with attracting investment in semiconductor design. The city will also promote investment in packaging and testing.

By 2030, Da Nang aims for its digital economy to contribute at least 35–40% of the city’s GRDP, and to attract at least 5,000 high-quality professionals in the semiconductor field.

In terms of workforce structure, there should be at least 2,000 personnel in design and 3,000 in testing and packaging, providing a priority talent pool for Da Nang, and aiming to supply other regions in Vietnam and selected international markets in partnership with Da Nang.

Business growth targets include increasing the number of semiconductor design and design service enterprises by at least 30; attracting at least 1–2 companies in packaging and testing; and incubating and accelerating at least 5 semiconductor startups.

In the AI sector, the goal is to attract at least 3,000 high-quality personnel; develop 20 AI products by Da Nang-based companies; and incubate and accelerate at least 5 AI startups.

The development plan sets out five solution groups to achieve these goals:

  1. Human resource development through training policies, talent attraction, and professional development programs;

  2. Infrastructure development via policy creation, building high-speed transmission and wireless networks, and promoting digital transformation and industrial digitization;

  3. Ecosystem development for semiconductor and AI enterprises through policies supporting business growth;

  4. R&D and innovation promotion, aiming for technology mastery via time-bound controlled trials for new technologies, products, services, and business models;

  5. Communication efforts to highlight Da Nang’s potential and competitive advantages in semiconductor and AI fields.

An implementation task force for the semiconductor and AI development plan will propose solutions to the City People’s Committee for new, critical, cross-sectoral, or complex issues that are undefined or overlapping.

The Department of Information and Communications serves as the standing agency of the task force, coordinating with other departments and localities to develop annual detailed action plans for implementing the plan.

CONTACT WITH DSAC!

For any inquiries, cooperation opportunities, or training program registration, please contact DSAC – Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center. We are always ready to accompany you on your journey of innovation and technological development.

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