Turning Ho Chi Minh City into a world-class innovation center by 2030

This is the task that the Central Steering Committee on Resolution 57 has just assigned to Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City has proposed 3 strategic breakthroughs to develop science and technology, digital transformation and innovation in the coming term.

The congress presidium at the closing session on the morning of October 15 - Photo: THANH HIEP

On the morning of October 15, the 1st Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, term 2025-2030, held its closing session. In this working session, Mr. Lam Dinh Thang - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology - presented a speech on "Developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation - strategic breakthroughs of Ho Chi Minh City in the new period in the spirit of Resolution 57".

Ho Chi Minh City ranked 2nd in digital transformation and national innovation

According to Mr. Thang, in the past period, science - technology and innovation have affirmed their role as important driving forces for the growth of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City has achieved positive results such as TFP (total factor productivity growth rate) in 2025 is expected to reach 59%, and is forecast to continue to play a leading role in growth in the next 5 years.

The digital economy is growing strongly, contributing 22% to GRDP in 2024, and is expected to increase to 25% in 2025. Currently, Ho Chi Minh City is ranked 2nd in the digital transformation index and national innovation index.

Ho Chi Minh City's innovative startup ecosystem is ranked 110th globally and 5th in Southeast Asia. In addition, a very favorable factor in digital financial activities is that Ho Chi Minh City has risen to 30th in the world in blockchain.

In addition to the achievements, the Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City also said that there are still some major challenges such as the science and technology management mechanism is not flexible according to the market economy, lack of testing spaces for new technology products, incomplete data infrastructure for comprehensive digital transformation, and need support from ministries, branches, and the Central Government...

3 strategic breakthroughs

Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology Lam Dinh Thang speaks at the congress - Photo: THANH HIEP

In the next 5 years, Ho Chi Minh City determines that TFP will contribute at least 60%, digital economy will account for 30-40% of GRDP.

Notably, Ho Chi Minh City aims to become a world-class innovation center by 2030 - this is the task assigned to Ho Chi Minh City by the Central Steering Committee on Resolution 57. The creative startup ecosystem is in the top 100 most dynamic cities in the world. Ho Chi Minh City has at least 5 international standard research centers in strategic technology fields.

To realize these goals, Ho Chi Minh City will focus on three strategic breakthroughs. The first is a breakthrough in mechanisms, policies and investment attraction. Ho Chi Minh City focuses on attracting strategic investors in the field of science and technology. Currently, the UAE's G42 Group is planning to invest in an AI metadata center with a capital of nearly 2 billion USD in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City will develop high-tech zones and testing zones for new technologies under special mechanisms. Register to pilot a public-public partnership model to use Ho Chi Minh City's budget to invest in universities, including promoting the National University to reach the top 100 in Asia by 2030.

Ho Chi Minh City also focuses on developing the Information Technology Park, has policies to support small and medium enterprises in digital transformation, and has policies to promote private sector investment in science and technology.

The second is strategic technological breakthroughs and an innovative ecosystem. Ho Chi Minh City prioritizes the development of technologies that are its strengths such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, semiconductor chips, robots, blockchain and biomedicine. Establish a fund to support startups according to a new model, attracting capital from venture capital funds. At the same time, focus on supporting resources for potential innovation centers.

Ho Chi Minh City aims to cooperate with the National University to build Ho Chi Minh City into an international innovation center, initially developing in four directions: at the National University and connecting with universities; in export processing zones, industrial parks, high-tech parks; state-invested units and public-private partnerships.

Third is a breakthrough in digital governance and digital human resources. Accelerate the development of digital data and digital platforms for the Ho Chi Minh City government to perfect the data-based management model. Promote "four-house" cooperation (schools - state - enterprises - investment funds, banks) along with technology diplomacy and attract international experts. In addition, Ho Chi Minh City promotes the development of digital human resources to maintain and promote the city's position. Will provide synchronous infrastructure for localities and units under Ho Chi Minh City.

With such determination, the Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City believes that Ho Chi Minh City will successfully implement breakthrough solutions, becoming a center of science - technology and innovation in the region and internationally.

Ho Chi Minh City has reduced 300 administrative procedures related to production and business.

According to Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, in recent times, Ho Chi Minh City has built many unique and outstanding mechanisms and policies to attract talent and investment capital such as non-refundable financial support for innovation, preferential policies on salaries and wages, and the formation of national standard research centers.

Ho Chi Minh City has also made efforts to reform administration and attract investment. This includes reducing nearly 300 procedures related to production and business, equivalent to more than 1,900 working days. Specialized working groups have been established to provide direct and timely support to strategic investors.

Over the past years, Ho Chi Minh City has continuously invested in digital infrastructure, implementing digital transformation in a sustainable and substantial manner. In particular, Ho Chi Minh City focuses on training human resources in depth and breadth.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dua-tp-hcm-tro-thanh-trung-tam-doi-moi-sang-tao-dang-cap-quoc-te-vao-nam-2030-20251015090350297.htm