What is Da Nang doing to become a launching pad for tech unicorns?

Đà Nẵng - Ảnh 1. — SURF 2025 is the largest ever - Photo: CHAU SA

The event affirms Da Nang 's pioneering role in building an innovative startup ecosystem, aiming to become a startup center in the country and the region.

Entrepreneurship is no longer a trend, but a necessity.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the SURF 2025 Innovation and Startup Festival on the morning of July 30, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology , Mr. Hoang Minh emphasized: "Innovation and startup is no longer a trend, but has become an inevitable driving force to improve productivity, quality and national competitiveness, and is the solution for rapid and sustainable development.

In Vietnam, the startup ecosystem will continue to grow strongly in 2025, with many supporting activities expanding in both scale and depth. Fields such as Fintech, AI, Edtech, Healthtech and circular economy are growing strongly, alongside blockchain, cloud and digital logistics startups reaching out to the world.

Đà Nẵng - Ảnh 2. — Awarding the first prize of the Da Nang City Innovation and Startup Competition 2025 - Photo: CHAU SA

According to Mr. Ho Quang Buu - Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee, in the new period, the city identifies innovation and technology as the core driving force for sustainable growth.

A series of policies have been issued, from tax exemptions, co-working spaces, technology incubators, research centers, to plans to promote the establishment of free trade zones and international financial centers.

"SURF 2025 is an opportunity to connect policy, technology, investment and spread the message: Da Nang - where ideas originate, giving unicorns wings to reach international heights," Mr. Buu affirmed.

Mr. Tom Ngo, CEO of Metis Foundation, assessed that Da Nang is clearly showing its role as a companion to startups: "In the early stages, the possibility of success is very small, so support from local authorities plays a key role. Da Nang shows that it is ready to pilot new technologies such as blockchain, digital assets (tokens), and that is a very positive signal."

Da Nang connects technology, policy and human resources

Mr. Jonah Lau, head of incubation at Animoca Brands, assessed Da Nang as an ideal destination for technology development, with an open environment and quality technical human resources.

According to him, despite the development of AI, humans are still the key factor in innovation. He emphasized that besides talent, startups need to clearly define their target market and product distribution strategy. This is the decisive factor in raising capital.

Ms. Alexis Low, Asia-Pacific regional manager of Lisk Foundation, also commented that Da Nang has the right foundation to become a launching pad for Web3 in the region.

However, to be successful, the city needs to complete a stable institutional framework, conduct in-depth technical consultations and create a clear legal environment for blockchain technology.

Đà Nẵng - Ảnh 3. — Signing a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and announcing investment cooperation in innovative startups - Photo: CHAU SA

SURF 2025 is the largest ever, gathering more than 30 speakers, experts and international investment funds from Singapore, Korea, the US, Japan... with more than 100 exhibition booths, 31 competing projects and a series of investment connection activities and in-depth thematic discussions.

On this occasion, the launching ceremony of the Innovation Network of Da Nang Universities and Colleges shows that the city is focusing on developing innovation resources from the root, from schools to businesses.