Vietnam–Idaho (US): Promoting investment cooperation, technology development, and high-tech workforce training
WVR - From October 12-16, a delegation from the Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco, USA, led by Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan, conducted a working visit to the state of Idaho in the Northwestern United States. The focus was on promoting cooperation in investment, trade, science and technology, innovation, and high-tech workforce training.
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Meetings with state government representatives, educational and research institutions, business associations, and technology corporations opened up new avenues for cooperation, particularly in high-tech fields such as nuclear energy, semiconductors, rare materials, and manufacturing industries.
Long known for its agricultural strengths, especially potatoes, Idaho has emerged as one of the key centers for high-tech production, applied scientific research, nuclear energy innovation, and job development in the U.S., boasting some of the world's most advanced facilities.
The visit highlighted the complementary potential between Vietnam's strategic industry development needs and Idaho's experience in organizing a high-tech research, production, and training ecosystem. This approach represents a deep dive into economic and technological diplomacy: directly assessing partner capabilities, identifying common ground, and maintaining connections post-visit.
Idaho: From agricultural strengths to high-tech ecosystem
Through interactions with legislators, the Attorney General, and Idaho state government representatives, as well as on-site visits, the delegation gained insights into Idaho's strengths. Located in the Northwestern United States, Idaho covers an area of approximately 216,000 km² (about two-thirds the size of Vietnam) and has a population of just over two million. It is a state experiencing rapid growth in both economy and population (mainly due to migration from other states).
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| Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan and the delegation visit the Center for Materials and Energy Systems Innovation (CMESIC) in Idaho Falls on October 13. (Source: Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco) |
In addition to agricultural production with main products such as potatoes, dairy, beef, and grains, Idaho is developing high-value technology sectors such as semiconductors, energy, precision mechanics, aerospace, and smart manufacturing.
The presence of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), among the leading national laboratories with a strategic position in the U.S., especially in world-class nuclear energy research, reactor technology, and nuclear safety; and Micron Technology - one of the world's top three DRAM memory chip manufacturers; along with nuclear research and training facilities, universities, and high-tech vocational schools, create a notable ecosystem for applied scientific research and high-tech development and production.
Idaho's standout feature is the collaboration between federal resources, state government support policies, businesses, and educational institutions, emphasizing and promoting applied scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Businesses participate in advisory boards for universities and vocational schools to identify skill training needs aligned with business recruitment demands; universities and vocational schools develop appropriate programs; laboratories provide research and practice platforms, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This model offers practical reference experiences for Vietnam in building supply chains, promoting innovation, and training high-tech workforce for industrialization.
Connecting research, training in nuclear energy, advanced materials, and engineering
In Idaho Falls on October 13, the delegation worked at the University of Idaho (UI), exploring the Nuclear Engineering and Industrial Management programs and energy systems research activities.
Notably, the Critical Materials and Energy Systems Innovation Center (CMESIC), jointly established and operated by the University of Idaho and Idaho State University (ISU), features numerous advanced laboratories and research programs. Here, the delegation was introduced to research and development activities on rare materials and technologies for modern energy systems. These studies are significant for enhancing the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of energy sector technologies, including nuclear energy. Both sides see great potential for research cooperation, expert training, and high-tech workforce development between Vietnamese and Idaho partners.
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| Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan with faculty and training leaders on nuclear reactor control at the Reactor Control Room Simulation Lab, College of Technology, Idaho State University (ISU) - Pocatello, on October 13. (Source: Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco) |
At the Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (INSE) at Idaho State University, Pocatello, the delegation was introduced to the AGN research reactor, subcritical experiment systems, and INSE's practical programs in collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), University of Idaho (UI), and Boise State University (BSU). These facilities serve the training of engineers, reactor physics research, radiation measurement, and nuclear safety, including international training cooperation. The delegation also explored the model linking universities with the national laboratory, where national research infrastructure supports training, applied scientific research, and professional development.
These experiences from Idaho are significant for Vietnam in preparing human resources for nuclear power development, small modular reactor (SMR) technology research, and modern energy applications. Idaho expressed readiness to connect training, research, and rare material development facilities and share experiences in building specialized technical programs.
Additionally, technical and high-tech vocational training has developed strongly at the College of Western Idaho (CWI) in Nampa. Here, the delegation met with the President, Academic Director and Vice President, and other school representatives, visiting several labs on mechatronics, industrial electricity, automation, robotics, and manufacturing technology.
The successful model linking CWI with Micron, connecting with universities and manufacturing associations in Idaho, is attributed to practice-focused curricula, industrial equipment, and recruitment needs, while also opening opportunities for university and postgraduate transitions. This is a useful experience for Vietnam in simultaneously developing engineers, technicians, and skilled technical workers.
Cooperation in semiconductors, trade, and international education networks
In Boise, the delegation met with Idaho Commerce Director Tom Kealey and several department representatives, businesses, and manufacturing associations to discuss the investment environment, trade promotion, business support policies, and industrial cooperation opportunities.
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| Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan meets with Idaho Commerce Director Tom Kealey (fifth from left). (Source: Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco) |
During discussions, the Consul General introduced Vietnam's strategic technology development directions and proposed strengthening information exchange and connecting Vietnamese promotion agencies and business associations with Idaho, including the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance (IMA) and Idaho Aerospace Alliance (IDAA).
A key focus of the delegation was a working visit to Micron Technology, discussing with Mat Erpelding, Director of Government Relations, Policy, and Global Business Partnerships at Micron, at their headquarters in Boise. Micron plays a crucial role in producing DRAM, NAND, and high-bandwidth memory for artificial intelligence, data centers, and electronic devices - being one of the world's top three DRAM memory chip manufacturers (alongside two Republic of Korea corporations, Samsung and SK Hynix).
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| Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan meets with Mat Erpelding, Director of Government Relations, Policy, and Global Business Partnerships at Micron - Boise, on October 16. (Source: Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco) |
In discussions with Micron representatives, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan introduced Vietnam's investment environment and semiconductor development strategy, urging Micron to explore cooperation and investment opportunities in Vietnam and consider integrating Vietnam into Micron's global supply chain.
At Boise State University (BSU), President Dr. David W. Hahn and BSU representatives highlighted BSU's strengths in various fields such as business administration, engineering, and innovation promotion, while expressing enthusiasm about the over thirty-year cooperative development with Vietnam's National Economics University (NEU).
Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan expressed appreciation for BSU's achievements and hoped BSU would continue to expand cooperation with NEU and other Vietnamese educational institutions.BSU leaders agreed that the existing cooperation foundation between BSU and NEU would facilitate expanding collaboration in Vietnam, such as faculty and student exchanges and research cooperation in other fields like technology management, advanced materials, and innovation.
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| Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan meets with BSU President Dr. David W. Hahn (sixth from left) and BSU representatives in Boise on October 16. (Source: Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco) |
At BSU's Boise campus, the delegation visited the College of Engineering, Idaho Microfabrication Laboratory (IML), and several advanced labs within the department, which serve as research, prototype manufacturing, and practical training facilities for semiconductor technology, microelectronics, and related fields such as photolithography, advanced materials, and ultra-small electronic components.
From meetings to long-term cooperation prospects
In addition to the official work program, the Consulate General delegation met with several Vietnamese experts and intellectuals working at Micron and some members of the Vietnamese community in Boise. These exchanges helped strengthen community ties and leverage the role of experts, entrepreneurs, and intellectuals in connecting businesses, universities, and research institutions between the two countries.
The visit contributed to expanding the partner network in Idaho and identifying cooperation directions aligned with Vietnam's development priorities. Idaho's successful experiences demonstrate the need for close collaboration between the state, research institutions, schools, and businesses, from nuclear energy, semiconductors, manufacturing industries, to high-tech workforce training. Based on the established connections, the Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco will continue to coordinate with partners to promote exchanges, select feasible content, and implement, aiming for concrete cooperation results.
Within the framework of the Vietnam - USA Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the connections made by the delegation in Idaho contribute to bringing strategic cooperation to universities, laboratories, and businesses in Idaho, laying the foundation for substantive cooperation programs between the two countries in the future.
)Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco)
