Reuters reported on Oct. 26, 2026, that anonymous sources considered Viettel unlikely to meet its goal of beginning pilot production at Vietnam’s first semiconductor fabrication plant, or chip fab, by the end of 2027. Sources familiar with the project also told Reuters that Viettel and ASML had not reached an equipment agreement by that date. Viettel said the project was proceeding according to its plan and schedule.
Site conditions and the reported schedule risk
Reuters said a visit to the planned site at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, outside Hanoi, the week before Oct. 26 found overgrown land and no factory buildings. Satellite images from January and October also showed no buildings, Reuters reported.
Viettel held a groundbreaking ceremony there on Jan. 16, 2026. Its stated objective was to complete construction, receive technology transfer and begin pilot production by the end of 2027. Vietnamese authorities estimated the plant would cost about $1.3 billion, Reuters reported.
What the reported ASML talks involved
Three people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Viettel and ASML had held discussions for months. Two said the talks concerned buying a deep-ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machine. Reuters noted that the machine’s model would determine whether Dutch export controls could apply.
The reported assessment that the 2027 target was unlikely to be met came from anonymous sources. Viettel’s response to Reuters was that the project remained on plan and schedule. The report described a risk to the target, not a cancellation announced by Viettel.
Pilot production and full operation are separate goals
Viettel’s end-of-2027 target covered construction completion, technology transfer and the start of pilot production. Its separate goal was full operation by 2030. The company’s plan placed process optimization in 2028–2030, after the pilot phase.
Earlier Vietnam–ASML engagement
A planned 2023 Southeast Asia mission organized by Brabant Development Agency and Brainport Industries involved technology companies, most of which were considering production locations in Vietnam or Malaysia. Separately, a LinkedIn post by Leif D. Schneider described a proposal from Vietnam’s finance minister, Nguyen Van Thang, for ASML and partners to support training, research and development at the National Innovation Center’s Hoa Lac campus, as well as local supplier participation. Those were broader exploratory and cooperation efforts; Reuters’ later account concerned equipment talks between Viettel and ASML.
