SEIP 2025: An innovation platform for Vietnamese social enterprises.

On December 13th in Hanoi, within the framework of the Vietnam Innovation Startup Festival 2025 (TECHFEST Vietnam 2025), the Demo Day of the Social Enterprise Innovation Support Program (SEIP) 2025 was held.

SEIP 2025 is initiated by the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association (VSFA) with the support and high praise of the Ministry of Science and Technology , and implemented in collaboration with the Institute for Innovation and Development (IID) and a network of partners in Vietnam, Singapore, and internationally.

Promoting Vietnam-Singapore cooperation and an inclusive startup ecosystem.

In his opening remarks at Demo Day, Ambassador Nguyen Duc Hung, Vice President and Secretary General of VSFA, stated that the event not only marked the end but also affirmed the program's tangible effectiveness in supporting innovative social enterprises, thanks to the close collaboration between VSFA, the IID Institute, and domestic and international partners.

Ambassador Nguyen Duc Hung (far left), Vice President and Secretary General of VSFA, and Mr. Tran Xuan Dich, Deputy Director of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises (Ministry of Science and Technology) (far right), present certificates of social impact to businesses. (Photo: Thanh Luan)

Following the success of SEIP 2024, this year's program focuses on supporting small-scale local social and eco-enterprises. These are entities that are making a positive impact in nature conservation, supporting highland livelihoods, preserving traditional crafts, and developing organic agriculture .

During the implementation period (October-December 2025), the Organizing Committee selected 20 businesses to participate in an intensive training program on brand strategy, communication, identity design, and market connection. Of these, the 6 businesses with the most outstanding progress were selected for a 3-month one-on-one coaching package, with the support of a team of mentors in the fields of sustainable development, business, communication, and entrepreneurship. The top 6 businesses come from all three regions of Vietnam (North, Central, and South), working directly with local communities and ethnic minorities.

Highly appreciating the SEIP initiative, Singapore's Ambassador to Vietnam, Rajpal Singh, stated that the program has quickly become an important platform for promoting cooperation between Singapore and Vietnam in supporting social and eco-enterprises. By 2025, SEIP will expand its support nationwide, helping businesses access more in-depth training and a broader market network.

The Ambassador expressed his admiration for the diversity of businesses participating in SEIP 2025, the majority of which are small groups of 5-15 people, many of which are newly established within the last two years, operating throughout Vietnam. Their missions are aligned with Vietnam's pressing development priorities such as nature conservation, supporting livelihoods for ethnic minorities, and sustainable agricultural development.

According to Ambassador Rajpal Singh, the event took place in the context of the continuously strengthening and upgrading of Vietnam-Singapore relations, especially after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He highly appreciated the role of VSFA in promoting people-to-people exchanges, contributing to keeping bilateral relations dynamic, substantive, and sustainable.

Singapore's Ambassador to Vietnam, Rajpal Singh (far left), and Ambassador Nguyen Duc Hung (second from left), Vice President and Secretary General of VSFA, present certificates to the top 6 businesses that completed the program. (Photo: Thanh Luan)

Mr. Tran Xuan Dich, Deputy Director of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises (Ministry of Science and Technology), said that TECHFEST Vietnam 2025 is organized with the theme "National Startups - A New Growth Driver," reflecting the spirit of Resolution 57 of the Politburo on developing science, technology, and innovation as the pillars of the new growth model; and is also in line with the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation 2025 recently passed by the National Assembly.

In this context, the Ministry of Science and Technology highly appreciates SEIP's support for social enterprises in enhancing their innovation capacity, building brands, connecting to markets, and spreading the spirit of sustainable entrepreneurship. This model aligns with the direction of Resolution 57 and the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025, especially in promoting an inclusive, responsible, and sustainable startup ecosystem. In the future, the Ministry of Science and Technology will continue to support and encourage initiatives like SEIP, promoting cooperation between state agencies, social organizations, businesses, and international partners to spread a culture of innovation and make practical contributions to the national startup ecosystem.

Moc Sa Farm - bringing Son La Arabica coffee from the villages to the market.

At the Demo Day concluding event, six outstanding businesses of SEIP 2025 presented the results after an intensive coaching process. Moc Sa Farm Cooperative (Phuong village, Chieng Sinh ward, Son La province), a unit specializing in cultivating and producing high-quality Arabica coffee, was honored as the best performing business.

Mr. Luong Trung Hieu, Director of Moc Sa Farm Cooperative, presents the project at Demo Day. (Photo: Thanh Luan)

According to Mr. Luong Trung Hieu, Director of Moc Sa Farm Cooperative, the unit carrying the message "Arabica Son La - From the villages to your heart," aims to address challenges in cultural preservation, prevent deforestation, and develop sustainable livelihoods for people in the Northwest region.

He stated that Moc Sa Farm focuses on building a sustainable supply chain from raw material sourcing, cultivation, processing to consumption; investing in high-quality coffee processing plants; minimizing environmental impact; and developing the Son La Arabica brand associated with the cultural identity of the Northwest region. Through the SEIP 2025 program, the cooperative has finalized its new brand identity, combining the image of coffee beans with the piêu scarf motif – a cultural symbol of the Thai ethnic group – conveying a message about the harmonious blend of land, mountains, forests, and people.

From that foundation, Moc Sa Farm hopes to continue seeking investors and partners to expand its raw material area, standardize its high-quality fermented coffee processing system, thereby enhancing the economic, social, and environmental value of Son La Arabica coffee in particular and Vietnamese coffee in general.

Ambassador Nguyen Duc Hung (far right), Vice President and Secretary General of VSFA, presents the trophy to the top 3 outstanding businesses: Moc Sa Farm Cooperative (Son La), Vietfiber - Vietnam Natural Fiber Research, Investment and Development Joint Stock Company, and Tai Thinh Phat Farm Cooperative (Ca Mau). (Photo: Thanh Luan)

Top 6 outstanding businesses of the SEIP 2025 Program

Moc Sa Farm Cooperative (Son La): A sustainable Arabica coffee chain, linked to the culture of the Northwest region; products include green beans, roasted beans, and ground coffee.

Vietfiber - Vietnam Natural Fiber Research, Investment and Development Joint Stock Company: Manufactures textiles from pineapple fiber; focuses on green fashion; markets include Vietnam, Europe, the US, and Japan.

Tai Thinh Phat Farm Cooperative (Ca Mau): Shrimp farming - an ecological model under the mangrove forest canopy; a livelihood model for local women; the main market is high-end restaurants and supermarkets.

Lai Chau Mountain Ginseng Conservation and Development Cooperative: Preserving valuable ginseng genetic resources, linking 175 households; producing ginseng leaf tea, ginseng seeds, and deep processing.

Nui Tuong City Co., Ltd. (Cat Tien National Park): Tourism - community education; revenue reinvested in free classes for rural children.

Vocational training and rehabilitation cooperative for people with disabilities, April 18: Providing vocational training and creating jobs for 197 members who are people with disabilities and vulnerable workers.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/seip-2025-be-do-doi-moi-sang-tao-cho-doanh-nghiep-xa-hoi-viet-nam-218371.html