Da Nang is a pioneer in innovation and startups.

The city regularly organizes activities to connect startups. Photo: M.QUE

Driven by policy, superior infrastructure

Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the construction and development of Da Nang city to 2030, with a vision to 2045, clearly states: to build Da Nang city into one of the major socio-economic centers of the country and Southeast Asia with the role of a center for startups, innovation, tourism, trade, finance, logistics, high-tech industry, information technology, and supporting industry.

With the above orientation, the city is developing an innovative startup ecosystem with global trends in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, blockchain technology, cloud computing, quantum computing, renewable energy, biotechnology, etc. The city is not only closely connected with the national startup network but also expanding international cooperation, aiming to become the economic - technological center of Central Vietnam, the national innovation startup center in Da Nang.

In recent times, Da Nang has issued nearly 30 policies to support science, technology and innovative startups, including outstanding and breakthrough policies such as: controlled testing policies for new technological solutions; tax exemption for innovative startup activities, activities supporting innovative startups; support for the use of scientific and technological infrastructure assets; non-refundable support from the State budget to develop innovative startup projects; support for information infrastructure assets to develop the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors.

In addition, the city has policies to support businesses in technological innovation, intellectual property development, reward policies, encouragement, and honoring scientists, organizations, and individuals with outstanding achievements in science and technology activities, creative startups, etc., demonstrating the efforts and support of the city government to develop a creative startup ecosystem.

In terms of infrastructure, Da Nang is the modern telecommunications hub of the country. The city is the first place in the country to operate the Da Nang Wifi wireless network system throughout the area, with about 430 connection points, providing a safe and convenient communication system for organizations and individuals.

Da Nang is one of the three most important terminals of the national trunk network and the international direct connection point. In parallel, the APG and SEMEWE 3 international submarine cable stations connecting Vietnam with nearly 40 countries in Asia and Europe are located in Da Nang.

It can be said that Da Nang's information and communication technology infrastructure is synchronous to meet the needs of international connectivity, including the city's metropolitan area network (MAN), data centers, city-wide wireless connection systems, training centers and research centers for information and communication technology applications. Currently, Da Nang continues to deploy a series of strategic infrastructure projects such as the Innovation and Startup Space with an investment capital of 500 billion VND, the next phases of Da Nang Software Park No. 2 can meet the needs of 6,000 technology workers.

The city regularly organizes activities to connect startups. In the photo: Startup product introduction activities at the event connecting the Danang - Singapore innovation startup ecosystem in early May 2025 at Swinburne University Vietnam, Danang campus . Photo: M.QUE

Efforts to build a strong startup ecosystem

In mid-2024, StartupBlink ranked Da Nang in the top 1,000 cities with the highest startup ecosystem index globally at 896th place and 22nd place in Southeast Asia. This is the first time Da Nang has been listed in the report and affirms its position alongside Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in attracting startup projects.

This year, Startup Blink analyzed more than 110 countries and 1,450 cities, of which Da Nang made a remarkable leap forward by rising 130 places to 766th place globally. Notably, Da Nang is one of 12 outstanding global ecosystems selected to present at the online conference launching the global “Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025”.

According to the report, Da Nang's startup ecosystem growth is 57.9% (Hanoi increased by 34.3% and Ho Chi Minh City increased by 16%) and Da Nang is one of the most attractive startup ecosystems in the world by 2025. To be included in the global startup ecosystem index in 2025, Da Nang must meet criteria such as the number and quality of startups, access to capital, human resources, infrastructure, support policies, market size, community connections and digital presence, etc.

According to the Department of Science and Technology, Da Nang's startup ecosystem is increasingly diverse and dynamic with many co-working spaces, incubators, and startup support centers established and operating, creating conditions for the young entrepreneur community to develop strongly. High-quality human resources are also a strength of Da Nang with 18 universities, 15 colleges, 44 vocational training facilities, in addition to research institutes, training facilities, and training partnerships with universities outside the city.

Da Nang has an annual training scale of over 100,000 students. In addition, the large number of intellectuals, science and technology human resources at universities is a solid foundation for innovation. The open and friendly environment for creative startups and strong connections with domestic and international startup networks are favorable factors for the development of the city's startup ecosystem.

Known as the “city of events and festivals”, every year the city has more than 50 startup events such as: SURF Innovation and Startup Festival, DAVAS Danang Venture and Angel Forum, DevDay annual information technology festival, GDG DevFest MienTrung programmer community festival… attracting thousands of people from home and abroad to participate.

According to Ms. Le Thi Thuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, with a strategic vision, a solid support system and a dynamic ecosystem, Da Nang is consolidating its position on the global startup map.

International connectivity activities and a focus on developing new technologies will open up many development opportunities, taking the city further in the future. The rise in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 is not only a source of pride but also a driving force for Da Nang to continue to rise, affirming its pioneering role in the field of innovation in Vietnam and the region.

CINNAMON

Source: https://baodanang.vn/kinhte/202505/da-nang-tien-phong-trong-doi-moi-sang-tao-khoi-nghiep-4006851/