Ho Chi Minh City aims to be in the world's Top 100 for creative startups

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Ho Chi Minh City aims to be in the world's Top 100 for creative startups.

Ho Chi Minh City aims to become a regional innovation hub and aim to be among the top 100 cities in the Global Innovation Startup Ecosystem Ranking by 2030.

According to the plan, the City has identified many key task groups, prioritizing the formation of at least one international innovation center, building two highly interactive and creative urban areas, developing 5,000 innovative startups and continuing to maintain the top 3 position in the country in terms of the Provincial Innovation Index (PII).

Mr. Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that innovation is becoming an important pillar in the city's new growth model, alongside digital economy and green economy.

“Innovation is not only in research institutes but must penetrate into every business, every community and every individual. Every entrepreneur, every startup, every scientist, every civil servant innovates a part of their way of thinking and doing, all of which form a continuous flow of innovation,” said Mr. Thang.

The city also allocates an annual budget to support at least 300 pre-incubation projects, 200 incubation projects and 50 acceleration projects. At the same time, it reviews and pilots specific policy mechanisms to remove obstacles in land, administrative procedures, intellectual property, tax and credit; perfects the mechanism to encourage businesses to invest in R&D, digital technology and innovation. Expanding the experimental model (sandbox) in new service and technology sectors is also a priority solution.

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Mr. Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, shared at the International Conference "Technological breakthrough and innovation - Creating the future generation for Ho Chi Minh City".

The city is currently focusing on three areas to create breakthroughs: Policy, infrastructure and human resources. In terms of policy, Ho Chi Minh City is consulting the experience of many localities and large cities in the world to build sandbox mechanisms for drones, autonomous vehicles, AI, data, fintech, creative startups and venture capital. The city hopes to become Vietnam's "policy laboratory", where new models are tested, adjusted and replicated to create an open investment environment for businesses, especially creative startups.

Mr. Thang said that Ho Chi Minh City is promoting the Local Investment Fund model under Decree 26/2025/ND-CP, allowing the government to proactively mobilize, manage and invest in venture capital for technology, startup and innovation projects. The city is also promoting sandbox testing in fintech, green energy, smart logistics and artificial intelligence.

Along with perfecting the mechanism, the Department of Science and Technology will develop infrastructure to serve research, incubation and commercialization of products. Broadband telecommunications infrastructure, 5G deployment, data centers and high-performance computing systems serving AI and big data will be invested synchronously. The system of laboratories, research centers and incubation facilities at the High-Tech Park, Quang Trung Software Park and universities will continue to be upgraded.

Notably, the city will build a national shared semiconductor laboratory at Ho Chi Minh City National University and upgrade the High-Tech Business Incubator into an international-scale innovation center.

Human resources are identified as a key factor. The city has implemented programs to attract and train high-quality human resources in the fields of science and technology, semiconductors and digital transformation. Training courses on digital skills, intellectual property management, innovative thinking, business models and fundraising skills will be held regularly, in coordination with the network of institutes and schools to develop STEM/STEAM human resources early.

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The city promotes attracting and training high-quality human resources in science and technology, semiconductors and digital transformation.

Ho Chi Minh City focuses on spreading the culture of innovation through project selection programs, incubation and acceleration activities and support packages according to Resolution 20/2023/NQ-HDND dated November 11, 2023; at the same time, implementing many programs to support innovative startups, from consulting, technical support, product development to connecting with experts and perfecting business models.

In addition, market connection, investment connection, pitching, demo day and business support activities to participate in domestic and international technology playgrounds continue to be promoted through programs, events and activities organized by the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City and startup support units.

International cooperation is one of the important driving forces. The city strengthens links with regional and global innovation networks, invites international experts to consult, develop assessment reports and policies for ecosystem development, and supports businesses in accessing foreign markets.

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