Seoul (VNA) – Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, who is accompanying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on an official visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), has had a working session with the Vietnam Innovation Network in Korea (VINK).

Recognising VINK’s contributions over the years, Minister Dung asked the network to strengthen business connection and assistance, while continuing to develop startup support programmes such as the Vietnam - Korea Startups Exchange (VKSE).

For underway activities and projects on semiconductor and AI training, the official asked members of the network to strengthen linkage with world leading experts, institutes and schools able to cooperate, supply and transfer training programmes, along with organisations that have suitable resources to help Vietnam in the work.

Briefing Minister Dung on the network's activities, VINK leaders said that it has supported many activities such as setting up the Vietnam - RoK AI Centre, organising conferences on AI and the internet, and providing legal advice to some Vietnamese firms wishing to expand business in the RoK.

VINK has promoted startup and training programmes for Vietnamese startups in the RoK. In 2024, it plans to continue current activities and implement a talent incubation programme in the field of AI, with support from the Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC), they said.

Noting that the NIC is putting its 20,000-sqm headquarters in Hanoi's Hoa Lac into use with many incentives for partners, Dung asked network members to coordinate with the centre to link up with major technology firms of the RoK, direct their attention to the Vietnamese market, and encourage them to launch research agencies, offices, labs and factories at NIC Hoa Lac.

He suggested that VINK continue to share technology knowledge, especially about semiconductor, information technology, AI, and digital content, especially the industries that the RoK is strong at.

VINK representatives gave some recommendations on the semiconductor industry development in Vietnam. They suggested three stages of chip production that are suitable for Vietnam, namely packaging, design and manufacturing.

Besides, Vietnam should provide more tax and capital incentives for businesses in semiconductor manpower training, and strengthen partnerships with other countries such as Israel and Singapore, they said.

Minister Dung advised the network to continue to attract more members who are Vietnamese and international experts and intellectua♋ls to bring long-te🌃rm benefits to the homeland./.