Launching the SOAR initiative - Innovation with Social Impact at TECHFEST Vietnam 2025

The event attracted participation from regulatory agencies, international experts, social organizations, startups, and the innovation community, aiming to identify new trends, share solution models, and discuss policies to promote open innovation in the next phase.

In the context of a world strongly shifting towards a development model based on innovation, digital transformation, green economy, and inclusive growth, open social innovation initiatives are becoming increasingly important in addressing complex challenges such as population aging, climate change, rapid urbanization, and social inequality. Simultaneously, Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo has established a new development orientation for Vietnam, in which science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are considered the main driving forces towards the goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a developed country by 2045.

Overview of the Conference.

The resolution emphasizes the leading role of citizens and businesses; encourages an open approach, multilateral cooperation, data exploitation, and the application of policy testing mechanisms to create sustainable value. This lays an important foundation for the development of social innovation as a pillar in the startup ecosystem.

However, in Vietnam, initiatives addressing social challenges remain fragmented and lack coordinated mechanisms. Therefore, positioning social innovation as a crucial component of the national startup ecosystem, guided by the 3Cs: Community-Based, Co-creation, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration, is identified as an urgent requirement.

The workshop focused on five key objectives, firstly to position socio-innovation as a crucial pillar of sustainable development within the national startup ecosystem. Secondly, the event aimed to mobilize the participation of the entire population, especially youth, women, people with disabilities, and vulnerable groups, to become direct agents of innovation. Another important objective was to promote cooperation between the government, businesses, universities, social organizations, and the community to jointly create solutions that meet development needs. The workshop also provided an opportunity to share successful Vietnamese-Korean startup business models that are creating positive social impact, thereby expanding opportunities for cooperation and spreading sustainable values.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises, emphasized that TECHFEST Vietnam 2025 is inspired by the symbol of Phu Dong (Saint Giong), representing the strength of community spirit and the ability to break through when the whole nation works together to contribute.

According to the Director of the Department of Startups and Enterprises, in the context of large cities like Hanoi facing numerous challenges such as an aging population, environmental pollution, flooding, and urbanization pressures, the urgent need for social technology solutions built in collaboration with the people is highlighted.

Mr. Pham Hong Quat, from the Department of Startups and Enterprises, delivered a speech at the workshop.

The Director of the Department of Startups and Enterprises stated that initiatives being implemented in the community, such as digital maps, healthcare solutions, and support for people with disabilities, have demonstrated the effectiveness of the open innovation model, especially with the collaboration of international organizations such as Sing Square, United Way, and Korean partners.

Speaking at the conference, the Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam, Kees Van Baar, emphasized that innovation is only sustainable when it ensures that all citizens have equal opportunities to participate and access it. According to the Ambassador, countries that want to develop must simultaneously implement digital transformation and inclusive development, avoiding the risk of leaving vulnerable groups behind.

Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Kees Van Baar speaks at the seminar.

The Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam noted that Vietnam and the Netherlands share many similarities in responding to climate change and urban pressures. Therefore, cooperation between the State, universities, businesses, and social organizations is key to promoting a sustainable innovation ecosystem. The Ambassador highly appreciated the 3C model as a suitable approach to realizing Resolution 57.

At the seminar, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh, Director of MSD United Way Vietnam, stated that innovation lies not only in technology, but also in the ability to create a space where all citizens can participate and be heard.

According to the Director of MSD United Way Vietnam, when an elderly person in a rural area, a woman with a disability, or a student in a remote area has the opportunity to provide feedback, share data, and participate in the solution-finding process, the ecosystem will become more humane, equitable, and effective. This spirit is also the core of the SOAR initiative .

*Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh shared her insights at the seminar.*

At the conference, speakers focused on discussing practical topics such as: corporate models to promote open innovation; supporting small and medium-sized enterprises; nationwide innovation; leveraging community data for sustainable development; and nurturing future human resources.

Delegates participated in the launch of the SOAR initiative.

The workshop included the Launch Ceremony of the SOAR (Soaring, Social Impact Innovation) initiative. This is a key initiative in Vietnam's startup ecosystem, launched to promote socially impactful innovation, connect the startup community, and expand international cooperation, with the goal of creating promising projects that serve the common good and sustainable development.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/khoi-dong-sang-kien-soar-doi-moi-sang-tao-tac-dong-xa-hoi-tai-techfest-viet-nam-2025-197251212114637426.htm