The report indicates that, after more than 10 years of development, the ecosystem has entered a phase of extensive growth and strong integration. Vietnam currently has over 4,000 startups, two unicorns, and dozens of businesses approaching unicorn status. Vietnam has become an attractive technology investment destination in Southeast Asia.
Mr. Luong Van Thuong, Head of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Department (Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises - Ministry of Science and Technology ), said that Vietnam expects to have 3-4 more unicorns by 2030, focusing on 11 strategic technologies, with three priority areas being artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and green technology.
The Vietnam Innovation Startup Ecosystem Overview Report 2025 is assessed to have a higher data content than the previous year, reflecting a shift in policy from mass support to focusing resources on in-depth development. One of the highlights is the plan to establish a national venture capital fund with initial state capital of approximately $20 million, aiming for a minimum of $100 million. Localities are also encouraged to establish venture capital funds using local budgets as seed capital to attract the private sector and international investors.
The report continues to assess the ecosystem using the 5P model, which includes institutions (policy), progress, finance, planet, and knowledge (people). Within the planetary aspect, the Net Zero 2050 goal opens opportunities for clean energy, recycling, and carbon credits, although Vietnam still faces challenges regarding core technologies and import dependence. The knowledge pillar sees increased support for women and student entrepreneurship.
At the central level, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance have implemented numerous cooperation programs and support policies, including the P4G Summit, the Economist Up competition, Decree 198/2025/ND-CP on the development of the private economy, and Decree 97/2025/ND-CP on preferential mechanisms for innovative startups at the National Innovation Center.
Locally, startup incubation and support activities are expected to increase significantly in 2025, but are mainly concentrated in the Southeast and Red River Delta regions. The Central Highlands and the Northern mountainous areas still lack resources and expertise.
The year 2025 also witnessed a surge in open innovation activities, with many major events such as the National Innovation Day, the VIIE 2025 Exhibition, and the OID 2025 Open Innovation Day. The report also identified eight potential startup sectors, including: climate technology, creative economy , technology for the elderly, educational technology, plastics industry innovation, women-led businesses, electric vehicles, and the Vietnamese startup community abroad…
Applying "social listening" analysis (collecting and processing data on discussions and interactions from social media platforms) for the first time in its report, the Ministry of Science and Technology noted that 2025 was a year of significant emotional fluctuations: a gloomy and apprehensive start, a brighter mid-year due to new policies, and a year ending marked by a mix of pride and a crisis of confidence stemming from scandals involving some prominent individuals in the startup community.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/viet-nam-tro-thanh-diem-den-hap-dan-cua-dong-von-cong-nghe-trong-khu-vuc-20251212210419973.htm
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