In October 2025, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City officially issued the plan to organize the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation, Science & Technology, and Startup Week 2025 (WISE HCMC⁺ 2025), themed “Innovation and Technology – The Future of Our City.”
WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 is an annual international-scale event, not only a showcase of technologies but also a strategic forum for investment connection, policy development, and global cooperation. It helps realize the vision of transforming Ho Chi Minh City into a leading digital economy hub and a regional financial and technology center.

The organization of WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 reflects the city’s commitment to major strategic directions set by the Party and the City. It strongly promotes the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, issued by the Politburo on “breakthrough development in national science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.” It also aligns with the city’s Startup and Innovation Ecosystem Support Scheme for the 2021–2025 period, as well as the plan to organize the 6th Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum in 2025.

1. Strategic Objectives:

There will be four main objectives. Internationalizing the event – building an annual forum with international prestige and quality, attracting the participation of experts, investors and leading technology corporations in the world. Mobilizing investment and capital – creating an environment for effective investment capital connection for innovative start-up projects, especially in the fields of breakthrough technology. Promoting application – introducing, sharing and spreading models, solutions, products/services applying science and technology, innovation and digital transformation that have been successful in practice. Supporting digital transformation in the public sector – demonstrating technological solutions that directly serve digital transformation in state agencies, contributing to improving the efficiency of management and provision of public services.

2. Organizational Information and Scale

WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 will be held continuously over three days, from November 26 to 28, 2025, centered at the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Startup Hub (SIHUB) with additional associated venues.

A major technology and innovation exhibition will be organized with a scale of 200 booths, located across the ground floor, 4th, 5th, and 7th floors of SIHUB. Display areas will be specialized into key sectors:

• Digital Transformation: 55 selected units showcasing comprehensive digital transformation solutions.
• Science, Technology & Innovation: 30 units presenting research achievements and new technological applications.
• Startups & International Partners: featuring startup projects from domestic and foreign incubators (Korea, Japan, Singapore, etc.)

3. Key Program Activities:

Welcome Events for WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 (November 24 and 25):

Technology foundations and global networks, focusing on in-depth professional activities and international partner engagement:

• High-Tech Agriculture with the final round of the contest “Innovation and Startup in High-Tech Agriculture 2025,” organized by the Management Board of the High-Tech Agricultural Park.
• Sustainable Development with a specialized seminar on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and Green Finance.
• International Networking with a series of Korea Networking & KoretoViet Networking activities and Showcase presentations at the Global Business Networking Showcase (GBNS) 2025.

November 26 – Official Opening Ceremony of the “Ho Chi Minh City Innovation, Science & Technology, and Startup Week 2025” at the 2nd-floor auditorium of SIHUB, with the participation of city leaders, representatives of departments, and the international community.

The program includes InnovaTalk and final reports of outstanding projects, “Creative Ideas from Universities in the Southeastern Region” (led by HUTECH), honoring youth innovation.

An important Investor Meetup will take place in the evening, focusing on investment trends in AI, Fintech, Blockchain, and Edtech. In parallel, the S.Venture 2025 Pitching and Founder Meetup will offer a platform for founders to share startup journeys and practical fundraising experience.

November 27 – Summary and awarding ceremony of the Ho Chi Minh City Artificial Intelligence Challenge (AI Challenge) 2025, recognizing pioneering AI applications.

The highlight of the day is the professional conference “Technological Breakthrough and Innovation – Building the Next Generation for Ho Chi Minh City”, gathering international technology leaders and speakers.
Other key activities include:

• Panel discussion on “Fintech Development for Ho Chi Minh City’s International Financial Center”, aiming to propose necessary policies and technologies to realize the city’s IFC ambition.
• Seminar on “Promoting Digital Transformation in the Logistics Sector” (organized by the Department of Industry and Trade).
• Panel discussion on Future Technologies (supported by Swiss EP), focusing on cutting-edge solutions to enhance competitiveness.
• Japan–Vietnam Business Networking Session, expanding opportunities for technological and commercial cooperation.

Closing Day – November 28

• Semi-final, final, and awarding ceremony of the “AI Hackathon 2025 – Exploring the World of AI” for students in Ho Chi Minh City.
• The week concludes with the Closing Ceremony for Ho Chi Minh City’s Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Activities 2025, wrapping up the week and outlining directions for the following year.

4. Role and Impact of WISE HCMC⁺ 2025

WISE+ HCMC 2025 is not only the annual event, but also a pivotal lever, promoting the three main development pillars of the City::

• Startup Ecosystem & International Investment Attraction
  A powerful driver for investment capital flows. Investor networking activities will help hundreds of startups access capital, expand markets, and reinforce confidence in the city’s startup ecosystem.
• Policy Orientation & Regulatory Framework
  High-level discussions on Fintech, Future Technologies, and Public-sector Digital Transformation will provide valuable insights and policy recommendations to support advanced technological development, especially for the city’s goal of becoming an International Financial Center.
• International Cooperation & Knowledge Transfer
  With global technology partners participating, WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 becomes a bridge for knowledge and technology transfer, enhancing the competitiveness and global integration of Ho Chi Minh City’s enterprises.

Ho Chi Minh City is committed to providing optimal conditions for the success of WISE HCMC⁺ 2025, establishing it as a model for large-scale science and technology events, contributing to the national development goal of becoming a high-income developed country by 2045.

5. Press Contact

• Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology
• 244 Điện Biên Phủ, Xuân Hòa Ward (former Ward 7, District 3), Ho Chi Minh City
• Phone: (028) 3.9327831
• Fax: (028) 3.9325584
• Email: skhcn@tphcm.gov.vn
• Official Website: https://wisehcmc.com/