New vitality from the young startup community.

Amidst the vibrant life of Ho Chi Minh City – a place where creative currents are constantly evolving – a generation of young startups is quietly sowing the seeds of new values. They are not just starting businesses to seek profit, but also driven by the aspiration to solve social problems, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life for their communities.

When waste is viewed through different eyes.

For many years, young people's entrepreneurial activities were often associated with commerce, services, or digital technology . But in recent years, a new trend has clearly emerged: green entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship focused on the environment and sustainable development. These seemingly small ideas originate from very ordinary questions.

Ms. Ha Phan Kim Nguyet, founder of UPGreen Vietnam, stands next to a booth made from recycled materials at an exhibition on entrepreneurship and innovation.

The story of Ms. Ha Phan Kim Nguyet, founder of UPGreen Vietnam, is a prime example. Her startup idea didn't begin with thick business plans, but with an innocent question from her daughter during a beach vacation : "Why do fishermen only find plastic waste in their nets, not fish, Mom?" That question touched upon a deep concern, prompting Kim Nguyet to re-examine the relationship between humans and the environment.

From there, she chose the path of entrepreneurship by viewing waste, especially plastic waste, as a renewable resource. For Kim Nguyet, recycled plastic not only helps reduce the burden on the environment but can also become a creative material, possessing aesthetic value and its own unique story.

That journey was not easy. Nguyet had to collaborate with waste treatment plants, research material properties, and experiment with various processes to create recycled plastics suitable for interior design and consumer products. Simultaneously, she proactively connected with young designers, students in Vietnam, and international designers who shared her interest in sustainable development.

UPGreen Vietnam's souvenir products are made from recycled materials.

2023 marked a significant milestone when UPGreen Vietnam organized the first furniture exhibition in Vietnam using entirely recycled plastic. The exhibition space not only showcased products but also told the story of the waste lifecycle and the potential for regeneration if people are patient and creative enough. The exhibition attracted considerable attention from young people, designers, and the business community, opening up a new perspective on green materials.

After more than two years of operation, Green Up Vietnam has not only focused on souvenirs and furniture made from recycled plastic, but has also gradually spread the message of green living and responsible consumption. Kim Nguyet believes that within the next 5 years, the proportion of green materials used alongside or replacing traditional materials could increase 3-5 times, especially in areas such as environmentally friendly packaging, recycled building materials from industrial waste, and innovative consumer products.

“To realize that vision, the company plans to invest in a modern production line, leveraging economies of scale to bring product prices closer to the market. More importantly, UPGreen Vietnam aims to build a green living ecosystem, establishing a stable and transparent input waste supply chain. This is not only a solution for raw materials but also an educational space, inspiring sustainable living. In the future, recycled artworks bearing the mark of Vietnam are also expected to be present in demanding markets such as the EU and the US, anticipating the global trend of green consumption,” Kim Nguyet shared.

Bringing science and technology to the fields.

Alongside green startup models, many other young startups are choosing to focus on agriculture – a field that is inherently risky but also full of potential. The difference with today's young generation is that they don't practice agriculture in the traditional way, but instead bring with them knowledge, science and technology, and a value chain mindset.

Mr. Tran Tai, Director of Vietnam Biological Mushroom Company Limited (Vinabiomush), at a recent exhibition promoting startup products and boosting sales of youth-led products organized by the Central Youth Union.

Coming from a farming family, Mr. Tran Tai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Kim Long Commune Youth Union, Secretary of the Youth Union Branch, and Director of Vietnam Biological Mushroom Company Limited (Vinabiomush), deeply understands the difficulties faced by farmers in increasing the value of their agricultural products. Years of experience working in the fields have helped him realize that agriculture can only develop sustainably when supported by knowledge and modern technology, built upon a foundation of local resources.

Based on that idea, Tran Tai decided to pursue a direction in biotechnology-based agriculture; in which, the production of Cordyceps sinensis mushrooms was seen as a suitable solution to the growing health care needs of consumers. This is a product line with high biological value, in line with the trend of green and safe consumption.

Established in July 2018, Vinabiomush has consistently built a research-production-commercialization model along a closed value chain. From seed selection, cultivation, environmental control to processing and packaging, everything is standardized to ensure quality and food safety. As a result, products such as fresh and dried cordyceps, cordyceps tea bags, Cordywa drinks, and cordyceps yogurt drinks have gradually gained the trust of consumers.

Beyond his business activities, Tran Tai actively participates in local startup and agricultural organizations and forums. He plays a connecting role, sharing experiences and directly providing technical support to young startup models, cooperatives, and high-tech agricultural producers.

In particular, the transfer of Cordyceps sinensis cultivation technology to many individuals and localities nationwide has helped numerous farmers access modern production processes, gradually forming stable production chains. As a result, many rural workers have gained sustainable livelihoods, reducing their dependence on risky traditional farming methods.

These efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Second Prize in the "Technical Innovation for Farmers" competition of the Ho Chi Minh City Farmers' Association and the Second Prize in the National Rural Youth Startup Project Competition. Recently, Tran Tai was also honored as one of the 12 outstanding young citizens of Ho Chi Minh City, marking the practical contributions of the younger generation in the development of high-tech agriculture.

It can be said that the young startup community in Ho Chi Minh City is being further motivated by major policies and guidelines from the central government. According to Mr. Nguyen Tri Quang, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Young Entrepreneurs Association, resolutions such as Resolution 57 on the development of science, technology, and innovation, and Resolution 68 identifying the private economy as an important driving force, have created a strong institutional impetus and high expectations.

Cordyceps products at the production facility of Vietnam Biological Mushroom Company Limited (Kim Long commune, Ho Chi Minh City).

Policy testing mechanisms (sandboxes), promoting technology transfer between research institutions, universities, and businesses, developing high-quality human resources, and expanding access to capital are helping young startups reduce risks and shorten the path to market. In particular, the trend towards a green economy and circular economy opens up stable outlets for sustainable startup models.

However, many startups still face familiar bottlenecks such as difficulty accessing capital due to a lack of collateral, limitations in research and development infrastructure, and a shortage of high-quality human resources. "These are also issues that the startup community hopes will be addressed through specific, in-depth policies rather than broad, superficial ones," Mr. Quang expressed.

Despite numerous challenges, stories like UPGreen Vietnam and Vinabiomush clearly demonstrate a shared spirit among today's young startups: daring to think differently, acting differently, and persistently pursuing long-term values. It is through these quiet efforts that a humane, innovative, and sustainable startup ecosystem is gradually emerging, contributing to a new face for the economy and the future of society.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/suc-song-moi-tu-cong-dong-startup-tre-20260218153207917.htm