The research examines the Technological Capability (TC) accumulation process in the practices of Vietnamese firms focusing on the use of various learning mechanisms for TC creation, and the interaction of firms' strategic behaviour and environmental factors in shaping their learning efforts. The research was designed to be conducted in three stages, each using different methods and sources. The first is based on a survey of the macro socio-economic context, using general material available from existing literature and reference sources. The second and largest stage uses interviews with firms in two industries, plus some observations and firms' data to examine the main questions concerning TC and learning. Third, case studies of selected firms are used as illustration. The interviews with firms yielded descriptions about the influence of macro factors on the firms, together with their responses to those external influences.