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Arizona State University and City of Ha Noi Sign Landmark Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Semiconductor Education, Research, and Workforce Development

Tempe, Arizona, March 5, 2026—The People’s Committee of Ha Noi (HNPC) and Arizona State University (ASU) today jointly announced the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a strategic framework for collaboration in semiconductor and microelectronics education, research, and workforce development. The MOU underscores a shared commitment to fostering scientific, educational, and innovation-oriented ties between Ha Noi and Arizona, with a focus on strengthening Viet Nam’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem and contributing to resilient global supply chains.

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Under this agreement, HNPC and ASU will explore collaboration across academic institutions, public entities, and private sector partners to support Ha Noi’s strategic initiatives in semiconductor and microelectronics development. A central pillar of the partnership is the establishment of a greenfield university project at Ha Noi’s Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, powered by ASU. The initiative draws inspiration from ASU’s enterprise-driven university model, including innovation zones dedicated to technology companies and a symbiotic ecosystem that directly integrates universities and industry. The partnership aligns with Viet Nam’s growing national investment in building a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem and reinforces Ha Noi’s leadership role in expanding research capacity, higher education excellence, and advanced industrial capabilities.

Key Areas of Collaboration

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The MOU outlines several priority areas for cooperation, including:

Semiconductor Workforce Development Accelerator: Establishing a coordinated training and research initiative spanning K–12 education, technician training, engineering programs, and short-term upskilling through certificates and micro-credentials.
University Capacity Building: Supporting curriculum development, faculty training, and institutional design for universities and colleges in Ha Noi, particularly in semiconductor packaging, design, and manufacturing.
Joint Research and Innovation: Developing collaborative research initiatives between ASU experts and Ha Noi-based universities and training institutions, with attention to intellectual property protection and technology transfer.
Greenfield University Project: Exploring development of a new university “powered by ASU” and operated by Cintana Education at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park through a public-private partnership model. Initial focus areas may include microelectronics and semiconductors, engineering, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, energy, and related disciplines.
Semiconductor Technician Training Center: Supporting the development of a Semiconductor Technician Training Center at Hanoi High-Tech College.
Innovation Park Model Consulting: Consulting on developing innovation park models in universities and research institutions, including research commercialization, incubator operations, and best practices for managing innovation ecosystems.
Industry Connections and Collaboration: Connecting Arizona semiconductor companies with Hanoi’s innovation ecosystem to support industry-linked training, internships, applied research, and joint projects that strengthen the semiconductor global value and supply chains.

Each cooperative initiative will be implemented through separate technical agreements in accordance with the laws and regulations of the United States and Viet Nam.

Leadership Perspectives

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At the MOU exchange ceremony, Mr. Truong Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ha Noi, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating:

The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with the People’s Committee of Ha Noi marks a significant and memorable milestone. Following today’s ceremony, we must move swiftly to develop and implement a concrete action plan to translate the commitments of this MOU into meaningful and measurable results.

Dr. Kyle Squires, Senior Vice Provost of Engineering, Computing and Technology; Vice Provost of the Polytechnic Campus; and Dean of the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University, highlighted ASU’s commitment to the collaboration, noting:

ASU is deeply committed to making this collaboration successful, not only in signing agreements, but in building pathways that deliver real educational impact, research excellence, and economic opportunity for students and communities on both sides of the Pacific

A Flexible Framework for Long-Term Cooperation

The MOU establishes a non-binding framework for cooperation over an initial five-year period, with the possibility of extension by mutual consent. The agreement does not create legal or financial obligations but provides a platform for structured dialogue, joint program development, and sustained collaboration.

Designated representatives from both institutions will oversee implementation and coordination of collaborative initiatives. Through this partnership, Ha Noi City and ASU reaffirm a common vision of leveraging education, research excellence, and public–private collaboration to accelerate technological advancement, economic development, and workforce readiness in the semiconductor sector.

As global semiconductor supply chains continue to expand, diversify, and seek greater resilience, Viet Nam’s emergence as a potential advanced packaging, testing, and talent hub aligns closely with U.S. semiconductor strategy, industrial policy objectives, and demand for trusted workforce.