Ho Chi Minh City creates future generations towards the goal of becoming an international financial center.

The program is chaired by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology (KH&CN) in coordination with Silver Lion Enterprise Impact Singapore.

This is an annual activity to connect the startup community, experts and investors at home and abroad; demonstrating the City's determination in transforming the growth model based on knowledge and technology.

In his opening speech, Mr. Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized the City's pioneering role in the national startup ecosystem. According to Mr. Thang, Ho Chi Minh City currently attracts nearly 50% of the total number of startups in the country and is home to 3 out of 4 Vietnamese technology unicorns. The city's startup ecosystem holds the 110th position globally in 2025 according to Startup Blink's report.

Commenting on the new development phase, Mr. Thang said that the City is shifting its growth model based on knowledge, technology and innovation. He emphasized that WISE HCMC ⁺ is the place to "sow the seeds of the future", connecting the intelligence, aspirations and actions of the creative community.

One of the main contents of the conference was to discuss the strategy for building an International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City in the period of 2026 - 2030. Mr. Thang affirmed that innovation plays a key role in this ambition. According to Mr. Thang, if the City wants to become an International Financial Center, it needs a Financial Innovation Center, and at the same time, it must be a leader in technology models and digital transformation thinking.

The conference had many in-depth discussions revolving around the topic "IFC Ho Chi Minh City. New pulse in the APEC financial ecosystem". Experts from the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies and representatives of investment funds such as VinaCapital analyzed global financial flow trends, the new generation IFC model and the potential for digital asset development in Vietnam.

Notably, the seminar "Vietnam - Singapore Fintech Super Highway" opened up the direction of connecting financial and technological infrastructure between the two countries, creating a foundation to promote growth based on synchronous policies and business capacity.

Towards the period 2026 - 2030, Ho Chi Minh City aims to become the region's innovation hub and ASEAN's intellectual hub. The city is perfecting strategic pillars including transparent governance, a deeply developed capital market and modern banking cooperation.

At the end of his speech, the Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City sent a strong message about the belief and commitment of the startup community. "The problem is not whether the City has enough resources or not, but whether we have enough faith to pave the way for new things or not," said Mr. Thang. He also advised entrepreneurs and startups to invest heavily in innovation and expand their vision to the region and the world .

The WISE HCMC ⁺ 2025 event is expected to be not only a place for connection but also a space for action, where technology solutions meet public policy, contributing to making Ho Chi Minh City a destination for future technology and financial dreams.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh/tp-ho-chi-minh-kien-tao-the-he-tuong-lai-huong-toi-muc-tieu-tro-thanh-trung-tam-tai-chinh-quoc-te-20251127160731431.htm