HO CHI MINH CITY – Intel announced Friday it will more than triple its initial investment in Vietnam to $1 billion, expanding the size of a chip assembly and testing plant in HITECH Park. 

It will be Vietnam's first semiconductor facility and Intel's sixth testing facility in Asia.

The company reportedly plans to expand the size of the facility from 150,000 sq ft to 500,000 sq ft. The beginning of construction is planned for March, and production is expected to commence in the second half of 2009. Intel plans to eventually employ up to 4,000 people.