Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park: Oriented to become a multi-purpose High-Tech Center

Ho Chi Minh City currently has large-scale concentrated technology zones such as: Quang Trung Software Park (QTSC), Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park (SHTP), Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center and digital technology activity areas... In which, SHTP has a strategic position to become a multi-purpose High-Tech Center, a place where technology, innovation and sustainable development converge.

Waiting for Science and Technology Park

After more than 20 years of construction and development, SHTP has invested in a relatively complete infrastructure; to date, it has attracted 161 projects, including many high-tech corporations from multinationals around the world such as Intel, Samsung, Nidec, etc.

A corner of Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park. Photo: Hoang Hung

In 2024, SHTP's export turnover will reach 20.77 billion USD, accounting for nearly 40% of Ho Chi Minh City's export turnover. With the current development trend, according to the SHTP Management Board, SHTP's "shirt" is now tight, so a new model is needed to continue developing. In particular, the Science and Technology Park (KH-CN) model is considered a technological "port", convenient for the import and export of high-tech goods, creating an important gateway for exchanging technological knowledge, high-tech products, and high-tech support services.

For many years, countries such as Japan, South Korea, etc. have continuously invested in science parks; depending on economic development goals, countries will operate different park models. Mr. Nakajima Takashi, JICA expert (Japan), said that Japan has many science parks and smart cities such as Tsukuba, Kanagawa, Kashiwanoha, etc.

Among them, Tsukuba Science Park has played a good role as a bridge between academia and industrial development with many projects implemented, acting as an innovation center for businesses, especially startups. Mr. Kim Wan Jin, CEO of Mekonglink Company, representative of the Korea Technology Park Association in the Mekong sub-region, said that Korea currently has 19 science and technology parks. The park can develop a strong network of technology companies, and the park's activities always follow the vision and development plan of each locality.

According to the SHTP Management Board, the Science and Technology Park project at SHTP is expected to be implemented in the period of 2024-2034, with an area of ​​194.8 hectares with functional subdivisions. During the 10 years of investment and construction, the project is divided into 2 phases: the first 7 years (2024-2031) will be used to prepare for investment, approve policies, approve pre-feasibility reports, compensate for site clearance, build traffic infrastructure, electricity, water supply and drainage, etc.; phase 2 (2031-2034) will build the remaining infrastructure and organize investment promotion.

“The construction of the Science and Technology Park is consistent with the National Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (in Resolution No. 81/2023/QH15 dated January 9, 2023 of the National Assembly) and consistent with the Southeast Regional Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (in Decision No. 370/QD-TTg dated May 4, 2024 of the Prime Minister), which emphasizes “Prioritizing the expansion of SHTP, developing it into a Science and Technology Park; creating the most favorable environmental conditions for research and development, technology incubation and high-tech commercialization”, said a representative of the SHTP Management Board.

Developing an innovative startup ecosystem

While waiting for the Government to decide on the construction of a Science and Technology Park in SHTP, Ho Chi Minh City is considering forming a multi-purpose High-Tech Center in the city. According to many experts, to realize this strategy, SHTP needs to implement a number of solutions: continue to build and perfect mechanisms and policies to support the development of science and technology and innovation, accelerate the formation of a Science and Technology Park in SHTP and establish the City Institute of Information Technology and Innovation; build and develop an innovative startup ecosystem with SHTP as the core, directly connecting with high-quality human resources at Ho Chi Minh City National University. At the same time, it is necessary to expand the international cooperation network to attract investment and promote technology transfer in technology fields such as semiconductor chips, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, renewable energy, etc.

Mr. Nguyen Ky Phung, Head of SHTP Management Board, said: “SHTP has advantages in terms of legal basis, development planning, infrastructure, high-quality human resources, and innovation ecosystem. It also has a strategic position to become a multi-purpose High-Tech Center, a place where technology, innovation, and sustainable development converge, contributing significantly to the goal of economic and industrial transformation of Vietnam.”

At the workshop on Building a Multi-purpose High-Tech Center in Ho Chi Minh City recently organized by the Department of Science and Technology, the Ho Chi Minh City Research and Development Institute and SHTP, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc emphasized: "Ho Chi Minh City has strengths in high-tech industry, playing the role of a center of creative knowledge, scientific research and technology transfer. The construction of a Multi-purpose High-Tech Center in Ho Chi Minh City needs to make the best use of the city's existing facilities." In fact, SHTP has many favorable conditions to develop into a Multi-purpose High-Tech Center in the near future.

The Science and Technology Park at SHTP is envisioned to become a multidisciplinary science and technology research center, playing a pivotal role in promoting growth in the Southeast region in the trend of the fourth industrial revolution. This model is designed to strengthen strategic links with universities in the region, especially Ho Chi Minh City National University, while fully integrating the overall creative and highly interactive urban area in the East of Ho Chi Minh City. The Science and Technology Park project at SHTP has been submitted by Ho Chi Minh City to the Government.

BA TAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khu-cong-nghe-cao-tphcm-dinh-huong-thanh-trung-tam-cong-nghe-cao-da-muc-tieu-post792166.html