Apple(US:AAPL) HTSC·2025-11-18 11:59Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the technology sector, indicating an expectation for the sector's stock index to outperform the benchmark [2]. Core Insights - Vietnam is poised to become the next semiconductor hub in Southeast Asia, driven by open industrial policies and significant foreign investments from companies like Samsung and Foxconn [4][5]. - The semiconductor packaging and testing sector is currently a hot investment area, with several factories already established by major players such as Intel and Amkor [6]. - The Vietnamese government is actively supporting the semiconductor industry, with plans for the first wafer foundry to be completed by 2027 [7]. Summary by Sections Section 1: Industrial Policy and Investment - Vietnam's open industrial policies have attracted various electronic manufacturing companies to set up operations, leading to a clustering effect in the industry [5]. - As of 2024, the average wage in Hanoi has reached 2,790 RMB/month, which, despite rising costs, continues to attract investment for supply chain resilience [5]. Section 2: Semiconductor Industry Development - The semiconductor industry in Vietnam is still in its early stages, focusing primarily on packaging and testing processes [6]. - Currently, there are eight semiconductor packaging and testing factories in Vietnam, with plans for local companies to establish their own facilities [6]. Section 3: Government Support and Future Plans - The Vietnamese government has outlined a strategic plan for the semiconductor industry, aiming to establish the first wafer foundry by 2030 and train 15,000 chip design engineers by 2050 [7]. - Viettel, the largest telecom operator in Vietnam, is responsible for the investment in this project, with government support of approximately $500 million [7]. Section 4: Apple's Supply Chain Diversification - Apple has been diversifying its supply chain since 2018, with Vietnam and India emerging as key production bases outside of China [9]. - By FY2025, Vietnam is expected to account for 10-15% of iPhone production, alongside significant contributions to iPad and Mac production [10][11].