Investing in digital infrastructure and attracting high-tech capital.

Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating investment in digital infrastructure, opening up special mechanisms, and attracting a series of high-tech projects in the fields of data, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, biomedical science, etc. This is gradually forming a large-scale technology ecosystem, creating a new attraction for domestic and foreign technology businesses.

Accelerate the creation of a technology ecosystem.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Yen, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, in 2026, the city will continue to invest in digital infrastructure, smart governance, and expand 5G coverage to approximately 70%-80% of the population; develop the Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure and smart cameras. At the same time, it will expand the exploitation of digital infrastructure such as high-tech zones, announce at least one more digital technology zone, and plan for a smart city project… to attract investors and form a new data architecture for the city.

Ho Chi Minh City is also implementing many specific mechanisms to attract technology businesses, especially in the fields of data centers, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), energy, and new technologies. These include deploying policy testing mechanisms (sandboxes), supporting innovative startups, and promoting a model of "ordering" businesses to participate in solving urban problems.

The process of manufacturing propeller blades for UAVs at Real-Time Robotics Vietnam JSC. PHOTO: TAN BA

During a recent meeting with Real-Time Robotics Vietnam JSC, Ho Chi Minh City leaders agreed to support the company in accessing 200 billion VND to build a factory for manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, drones) in the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park (SHTP). The company's products are currently about 95% localized, from aircraft frame design and electronic equipment to control software and data analysis systems.

“2026 is identified as a year of acceleration, implementing comprehensive solutions for science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation to create concrete products and directly contribute to the goal of double-digit economic growth. The focus is on putting businesses at the center, promoting the commercialization of research results, and prioritizing strategic sectors,” shared Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology.

A series of high-tech projects are pouring into Ho Chi Minh City.

Boosting infrastructure investment and opening up mechanisms to attract technology have helped Ho Chi Minh City continuously welcome many large-scale projects in the high-tech sector. Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee granted investment registration certificates to 4 strategic high-tech projects at SHTP with a total capital of over 1.23 billion USD, focusing on data infrastructure, biomedical technology, and smart electronics manufacturing.

Personnel working in the R&D department of Real-Time Robotics Vietnam Joint Stock Company specialize in UAVs.
PHOTO: TAN BA

Notably, there are two large-scale data center projects with a total investment of nearly $1 billion, including: the Evolution DC VN HCMC Data Center, invested by a consortium of three investors from Singapore with a total investment of $508.78 million, and the STARMASON mega-data center complex project with a total investment of $480.26 million, owned by Starmason Joint Stock Company.

Darren Webb, CEO of Evolution Data Centres, said that the Evolution DC project not only supplements data infrastructure but also contributes to forming a foundation to support digital growth in Ho Chi Minh City in the new phase.

Meanwhile, the Tam Anh High-Tech Center project, invested by Tam Anh General Hospital Joint Stock Company in Ho Chi Minh City with $160 million, focuses intensively on the field of biomedical technology. Mr. Phuong Le Tri, Executive Director of Tam Anh Research Institute, expects: "Our project will contribute to the formation of a modern biotechnology and biomedical research and application ecosystem in Ho Chi Minh City; creating a foundation for expanding international cooperation and attracting research resources in the fields of vaccines, high-tech diagnosis and treatment..."

Projects implemented in Q1 2026 show a trend of focusing on key technology areas such as data, AI, biotechnology, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure, in line with Ho Chi Minh City's orientation to accelerate investment in science and technology .

According to Mr. Nguyen Ky Phung, Head of the SHTP Management Board, the high-tech park continues to play a pivotal role in Ho Chi Minh City's economic and technological development, with a cumulative total value of high-tech product manufacturing exceeding US$203.3 billion, of which export value reached over US$185.2 billion. Newly licensed projects further demonstrate Ho Chi Minh City's attractiveness to technology businesses, especially in the semiconductor, AI, energy, and digital infrastructure sectors.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, the city has allocated 12,705 billion VND to the science and technology sector in its 2026 budget, accounting for 4.16% of the total budget expenditure. This resource will be an important foundation for developing digital infrastructure, innovation, and strategic technology sectors, creating a basis for attracting domestic and foreign technology businesses to invest long-term in Ho Chi Minh City.

BA TAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dau-tu-ha-tang-so-thu-hut-von-cong-nghe-cao-post852492.html