CT Group launches Vietnamese-designed IoT chip, leads push for semiconductor independence

On June 29, 2025, CT Group marked its 33rd anniversary with a major technological milestone: the official launch of a fully Vietnamese-designed IoT chip in Ho Chi Minh City. Developed entirely by local engineers using CMOS and III/V semiconductor design technologies, the chip represents a key step in Vietnam’s pursuit of semiconductor independence—especially in critical sectors like AI, defense, UAVs, and 5G/6G communications.

The milestone coincides with the completion of the first three-year phase of CT Group’s second 30-year journey. With its diversified operations and advanced ecosystem, CT Group is positioning itself as a pioneer in Vietnam’s semiconductor sector, preparing for a new era of global tech competition and national digital sovereignty.

CT Group’s roadmap to semiconductor leadership

At the core of CT Group’s semiconductor strategy are its newly established chip design houses focusing on AI, IoT, and specialized chips for UAVs and national defense. These design hubs are also building a portfolio of customizable IP cores—from NPUs and DSPs to converters with modulation technologies such as FSK, LoRa, and OFDM—used in SoC (System-on-a-Chip) development.

CT Group is currently operating on a fabless model—designing chips domestically and outsourcing photolithography—but is rapidly expanding its capabilities with an ambitious plan to achieve vertical integration by 2030. The group has urged the government to invest in photolithography infrastructure to secure Vietnam’s technological sovereignty.

Supporting this ecosystem is CT Semiconductor, which is establishing:

• Three ATP (Assembly, Testing, Packaging) plants in Vietnam

• Two R&D centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi

• Customer care hubs in Silicon Valley and Phoenix

Vietnam’s edge in market, manpower, and infrastructure

CT Group’s move into semiconductors is backed by major advantages. In terms of market demand, the group is already active in smart cities, UAVs, and near-space technologies, providing immediate testing and application for its chip innovations. Its smart ecosystem includes sensor devices, AI-powered cameras, energy control modules, and smart monitoring systems—all of which rely on high-performance chips.

The Group’s engineering team is also a standout asset, featuring talent from top institutions like University of Technology (VNUHCM) and Can Tho University, along with international experts and overseas Vietnamese engineers contributing to chip design leadership.

Technological innovation from 2nm to ADC/DAC integration

CT Group has reached the capability to design 2nm CMOS-based chips, a benchmark of cutting-edge semiconductor development. Its designs already include essential components such as ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converters) and DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converters)—critical for devices in industries like healthcare, defense, agriculture, automotive, and AI.

These converters are the foundation of all smart systems, enabling chips to interact with real-world signals such as temperature, sound, and motion—key in applications ranging from ultrasound devices and radar to autonomous vehicles and smart speakers.

A national call for recognition

In a bold cultural proposal, CT Group has also recommended designating April 30, 2025, as Vietnam Semiconductor Day, celebrating national unity and technological progress. This aligns with the country’s broader ambition to be recognized as a future tech manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia.

From infrastructure to R&D, from defense to consumer electronics, CT Group’s strategy signals Vietnam’s serious commitment to building a self-reliant and secure semiconductor future.