Da Nang signed a series of cooperation agreements with Silicon Valley partners to draw capital and technical expertise into artificial intelligence and semiconductors, VnEconomy reported on September 23.

Vietnam's third-largest city is positioning itself as an alternative technology base to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, courting foreign chip designers and AI firms at a time when global manufacturers are diversifying supply chains across Southeast Asia. The city has made workforce training and data centre readiness central to that pitch.

A municipal delegation led by Nguyen Manh Hung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City, travelled to the United States and attended a seminar on September 21 titled "Da Nang - Silicon Valley Innovation & Expert Network".

The event was co-organised by the Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Center and Janus Capital, bringing together Vietnamese experts, entrepreneurs and international investors based in Silicon Valley to discuss technology trends, workforce development and infrastructure.

Investors taking part in the panel discussions said Da Nang had potential as an emerging technology centre but needed to secure electricity supply and prepare data centres and advanced cooling systems suited to artificial intelligence workloads. They also called for simpler investment procedures to persuade large technology corporations to set up research and development and service operations in the city.

On artificial intelligence, specialists recommended faster AI skills training across the local workforce and the deployment of tailored applications in sectors where Da Nang already has advantages, including tourism, services, agriculture and urban management. They also urged the city to create conditions to attract international talent and support startup research.

For semiconductors, participants advised bringing university curricula closer to industry requirements, expanding practical laboratory work and building closer links between government, companies and academic institutions through internships and commissioned research.

The Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Center signed memorandums of understanding with several Silicon Valley partners. Cyfendo, Inc. will support artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and AI-driven application security work, while Janus Capital contributes technology investment and international business experience.

Cross-border investment promoter TBH Global and the Patrick Long Family Office agreed to provide advisory services, financial backing and connections to global startup networks.