Vietnamese students urged to pursue Taiwan's semiconductor industry with $70,000 annual salaries

According to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City, technology and engineering graduates in Taiwan can earn up to $70,000 a year, far outpacing salaries in business, tourism and service sectors that currently attract most Vietnamese students.

Lam Vi Chi, head of the Education Division at the office, said Vietnam now ranks first among international student groups in Taiwan, with nearly 40,000 students, a 70% increase compared with three years ago. In 2025 alone, almost 10,000 Taiwanese study visas were issued in Ho Chi Minh City, a record high.

Despite the surge, Lam warned that many students are choosing the wrong majors.

"Business, tourism and services may look attractive, but the job market and salaries tell a different story," he said.

Average monthly pay in Taiwan's service and tourism sectors ranges from $1,000 to $1,200, with limited bonuses. By contrast, engineers with master's degrees at companies like TSMC earn base salaries of about $2,200 per month, and generous quarterly and year-end bonuses can lift annual income to around $70,000.

Engineers now rank just behind pilots and doctors among Taiwan’s highest-paid professions. As a result, about 40% of Taiwan’s nearly 50,000 annual university graduates come from STEM fields, including mathematics, science, technology and engineering.

Demand is rising sharply. TSMC is building six new semiconductor fabrication plants in Kaohsiung, requiring roughly 24,000 STEM engineers and master’s graduates. Other technology and manufacturing firms are also struggling to recruit enough qualified talent.

Lam said this creates a rare opportunity for Vietnamese students, especially as around 250,000 Vietnamese workers are currently in Taiwan, most employed in factories or construction.

"I hope more Vietnamese students can work at major technology corporations," he said. "After gaining experience, they can bring knowledge, capital, and skills back to Vietnam."

To support this shift, Taiwan has expanded scholarships and financial aid. Since 2024, the government has rolled out the International Industrial Talents Education Special Program, focusing on semiconductors, chips and engineering through partnerships between universities and businesses.

Under the program, international students receive full tuition support, airfare, and a monthly living allowance of NT$10,000 (US$320). In return, graduates commit to working at sponsoring companies for at least two years. More than 600 firms are involved, including major semiconductor employers and global technology companies such as Nvidia. As of September 2025, about 200 Vietnamese students were enrolled.

However, Lam cautioned that language preparation remains a weak point. Some students lack sufficient English or Mandarin skills, making it difficult to absorb advanced technical training. Others prioritize part-time work over study, hurting academic performance and damaging the broader reputation of Vietnamese students.

In response, Taiwan plans to tighten language requirements and expand support. The Taipei office in Ho Chi Minh City will open more Mandarin courses and double annual testing capacity for the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language to at least 10,000 slots. Counseling services will also be strengthened to better match Vietnamese students with Taiwan's labor market needs.