Sci-tech is no sci-fi for HCMC innovation focus
![]() |
Mobilizing resources
Nguyen Viet Dung, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, said the city has mobilized social investment capital for science, technology and innovation. During the 2016-2020 period, the city invested more than VND55 trillion in science and technology, while providing support for small- and medium-sized enterprises to improve productivity and quality. The speed of technology and equipment innovation reached 24 percent during the reviewed period. In addition, the city restructured scientific research programs and promoted technology application and transfer to serve industries, services and smart city projects.
The Ho Chi Minh City startup ecosystem is attracting increasing resources. The city currently has about 2,000 operating startups, accounting for 50 percent of the country’s total number.
Huynh Kim Tuoc, director of the Saigon Innovation Hub (SIHUB) under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, said that despite the resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2021, investment in startups in Ho Chi Minh City reached about US$1.3 billion in 2021, an increase of 40 percent compared to a year ago, accounting for 60 percent and 70 percent of the country’s total value and deals, respectively. Ho Chi Minh City remained among the global top 10 most dynamic growing cities and top 200 global startup cities in 2021. So far, 124 businesses in the city have established their science and technology funds.
In fact, 98 percent of businesses in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City included, are micro- and small-sized. Therefore, the mechanism of the Fund of Science and Technology Development must be changed in order to attract more investment capital.
Promoting cooperation
Ho Chi Minh City plans to strengthen cooperation in the fields of smart cities, digital transformation, microchips, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automation, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing and life sciences, while promoting the effective implementation of the project on developing the Ho Chi Minh City startup ecosystem during the 2021-2025 period, with a focus on putting the Innovative Startup Center into operation. In addition, the city will form a network of startup support centers as a platform to connect and develop the ecosystem in key areas of digital transformation, AI application, financial technology, educational technology, healthcare and high-tech agriculture.
The Ministry of Science and Technology needs specific mechanisms and policies to support and connect universities and research institutes with businesses and promote product commercialization. Key issues in cooperation programs between the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ho Chi Minh City need to be resolved immediately to create clear changes, contributing to the overall development of the country and the city.
Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said the central point of view is to put in practice science and technology, digital transformation and innovation, creating breakthroughs for local socioeconomic development. The Ministry of Science and Technology is also ready to test science and technology policies in Ho Chi Minh City.
Investment in innovative startups in Vietnam is expected to reach more than US$1 billion in 2022. |
See also

Science, technology, innovation to contribute over 50 percent to agricultural growth by 2030
06:00 | 09/02/2023 Science - Technology

Seven technologies to watch in 2023
06:00 | 07/02/2023 Science - Technology

Technology trends to watch in 2023
06:00 | 05/02/2023 Science - Technology

Managed security provides IT talent gap solution for businesses in SEA
16:34 | 30/01/2023 Information technology

Headquarters of Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology inaugurated
09:23 | 30/01/2023 Science - Technology

WHO to share mRNA vaccine technology with VietNam
09:14 | 30/01/2023 Science - Technology
See more news

Welcoming the year of digital data for Vietnam
16:57 | 22/01/2023 Digitalization

Vietnamese animation studio won legal case on copyright infridgement in Russia
11:14 | 11/01/2023 Startups

Top 10 ICT developments in 2022
06:00 | 11/01/2023 Information technology

First retrofitted Emirates A380 enters service
17:41 | 10/01/2023 Science - Technology

Cybersecurity resilience emerges as top priority for Vietnamese organizations
15:39 | 05/01/2023 Information technology

Customs sector leads in IT application
06:00 | 05/01/2023 Digitalization

“Striking” Differences – New Research Helps Explain Why Obesity Is More Dangerous for Men
06:00 | 03/01/2023 Science - Technology

State, Party award scientific, cultural excellence
06:00 | 22/12/2022 Science - Technology

Protecting intellectual property
06:00 | 09/12/2022 Science - Technology

Vietnam, a high potential blockchain market
06:00 | 07/12/2022 Digitalization

Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership
10:57 | 09/02/2023 Infographic

Vietnamese companies seeking opportunities in India’s plastic market
10:00 | 09/02/2023 Investment

Vietnamese Prime Minister starts official visit to Singapore
09:27 | 09/02/2023 Vietnam and ASEAN

Black rice cakes reach foreign markets
09:00 | 09/02/2023 Industry promotion

Despite decelerating, phone exports still have long-term prospects
07:00 | 09/02/2023 Major exports
Multimedia

Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership
10:57 | 09/02/2023 Infographic

Foreign visitors to Vietnam surge 44.2 times
09:12 | 08/02/2023 Infographic

The woman who revived Kim Hoang folk paintings
06:00 | 04/02/2023 Entertainment

Ninh Binh listed among world's top 10 most welcoming regions
07:00 | 09/02/2023 Tourism

Artists Cơ, Nghiệp set Guinness World Record in last int'l show
06:00 | 08/02/2023 Lifestyle

Screening tools to enhance FDI quality
06:00 | 05/02/2023 Policy

Prime Minister demands faster disbursement of public investment capital
17:29 | 03/02/2023 Policy

Deputy FM highlights role of economic diplomacy in service of national development
11:05 | 01/02/2023 Policy

Việt Nam supports expansion of UN Security Council
06:00 | 30/01/2023 Policy

Black rice cakes reach foreign markets
09:00 | 09/02/2023 Industry promotion

Industrial production: Achievements and lessons
06:00 | 08/02/2023 Industry

Food and beverage industry to do well this year despite modest economy
13:00 | 03/02/2023 Industry

Moving ahead with 2023’s Global Priorities: Electrification and Decarbonization
15:05 | 02/02/2023 Industry

Vietnamese companies seeking opportunities in India’s plastic market
10:00 | 09/02/2023 Investment

Hanoi, HCM City record highest disbursement of public investment capital in January
08:20 | 07/02/2023 Domestic investment

Hai Phong pledges optimal conditions for investors
09:00 | 04/02/2023 FDI

Greening foreign investment
06:00 | 03/02/2023 FDI

Banks lower saving interest rates right after Tet
08:22 | 08/02/2023 Finance-Banking

Foreign investors remain optimistic about Vietnamese stock market
09:03 | 06/02/2023 Stock Market

Tax revenue up 4.4 percent year-on-year in January
08:40 | 03/02/2023 Finance-Banking

State-owned banks under capital increase pressure
10:52 | 01/02/2023 Finance-Banking

Vietnam looks ahead to 2023 climate summit
06:00 | 25/12/2022 Environment

Preserving nature, facilitating business
06:00 | 10/12/2022 Environment

AkzoNobel Vietnam protects Cu Lao Xanh lighthouse against harsh weather
11:40 | 24/11/2022 Environment

JTI Vietnam commits to net zero greenhouse gas emissions
16:25 | 15/11/2022 Environment

Science, technology, innovation to contribute over 50 percent to agricultural growth by 2030
06:00 | 09/02/2023 Science - Technology

Seven technologies to watch in 2023
06:00 | 07/02/2023 Science - Technology

Technology trends to watch in 2023
06:00 | 05/02/2023 Science - Technology

Managed security provides IT talent gap solution for businesses in SEA
16:34 | 30/01/2023 Information technology

Positive signs for Vietnam’s labour market
07:00 | 08/02/2023 Society

Illegal fishing tackled with drastic measures to remove 'yellow card'
11:13 | 07/02/2023 Society

Hunting for real estate investment opportunities after Tet
09:32 | 03/02/2023 Property

Vietnamese university up 97 places in Webometrics ranking
10:00 | 02/02/2023 Society

JTI Vietnam certified as Top Employer for 3rd year
15:05 | 07/02/2023 Companies

Doosan Vina and Chung Ang University continue educational CSR program
10:32 | 06/02/2023 Vietnamese Brands

Nestlé Vietnam and the journey to sustainable development
13:00 | 10/01/2023 Companies

VIMC embarks on strong recovery
06:00 | 10/01/2023 Companies

Hoi An launches unprecedented tourism product
07:00 | 09/02/2023 Culture

Artists Cơ, Nghiệp set Guinness World Record in last int'l show
06:00 | 08/02/2023 Lifestyle

The unique Giong Festival of Hanoi
09:00 | 07/02/2023 Photo

Late artist Nguyen Tu Nghiem's works on display in rare exhibition
08:00 | 07/02/2023 Lifestyle

Ninh Binh listed among world's top 10 most welcoming regions
07:00 | 09/02/2023 Tourism

Foreign visitors to Vietnam surge 44.2 times
09:12 | 08/02/2023 Infographic

About nine million Vietnamese travel during Tet holiday, revenues down
09:00 | 07/02/2023 Tourism

18,000 tourists spend US$18.3 million on foreign tours during Lunar New Year
08:00 | 05/02/2023 Tourism