On the morning of November 26, the Innovation, Science and Technology and Creative Startup Week of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City 2025 (WISE HCMC⁺ 2025) was officially opened at the Ho Chi Minh City Innovative Startup Center. Ho Chi Minh City (SIHUB), marking an important step in efforts to make the city a digital economy leader and a regional technology center.

WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 is an annual international event where technology demonstrations, forums for investment connection, policy creation and promotion of global cooperation. According to WIPO’s 2025 Global Innovation Index Report, Vietnam ranks 44th out of 139 countries, and the city’s startup ecosystem ranks 110th out of 1,000 global cities according to Startup Blink.

Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City speaking at the WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 event. Photo: TIEU MINH

Speaking at the event, Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, said: “Innovation is a key driving force to improve competitiveness. The city aims to become an international innovation center from 2025 to 2030, with the digital economy accounting for 30-40% of GRDP and total social expenditure on research and development (R&D) reaching 2-3% of GRDP, allocating at least 4-5% of the total annual budget expenditure for science, technology, digital transformation”.

The city is committed to accompanying the startup community, while building a favorable policy environment and creating conditions for creative ideas to reach the international level, Ms. Thuy emphasized.

The event was organized to realize the major orientaons of the Party and Ho Chi Minh City, namely the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, and at the same time implement the Project on the development of the innovative start-up ecosystem of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City in the period of 2021 to 2025.

Ho Chi Minh City to launch the Innovation Week 2025. Photo: TIEU MINH

HCMC Ho Chi Minh City maintains its position as a leading startup ecosystem

Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City is currently the most dynamic startup ecosystem in the country, attracting nearly half of all Vietnamese startups and is home to three unicorns VNG, MoMo and Sky Mavis.

On the international map, the Global Startup Ecosystem Index ranks the city at 111 in 2024 and 110 in 2025, continuing to play a leading role in the country. At the national level, the 2025 PII Local Innovation Index recognizes the city as ranked second in the country with 59.33 points, outstanding in digital infrastructure, R&D activities and the number of intellectual property registrations.”

Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City. HCM. Photo: TIEU MINH

The city is entering a stage of development based on knowledge, technology and creativity, aiming to become a regional innovation center in the period from 2026 to 2030.

The event gathered nearly 200 technology booths and hundreds of startups

The event space at SIHUB is designed to stretch across floors, with nearly 200 booths displaying digital transformation solutions, scientific and technological achievements, innovation and typical domestic and international startup projects.

WISE HCMC 2025 creates opportunities for startups to access investment capital, expand the market and find strategic partners, and bring practical experience to those who are interested in technology trends and digital transformation

Leaders of units visited the booths at WISE HCMC+ 2025. Photo: TIEU MINH

The opening day focused on InnovaTalk, reporting on outstanding projects and programs celebrating creativity among young people, and investor networking activities around AI, Fintech, Blockchain and Edtech trends. This is also the time for founders to share startup stories and real-world fundraising experiences, creating a vibrant atmosphere and inspiring the startup community.
In the following days, there will be in-depth seminars and international talks, summarizing artificial intelligence competitions, exploring Fintech and logistics, and introducing digital transformation solutions for the public sector.

Here are some pictures at the event:

Source: https://plo.vn/ky-nguyen-so/tphcm-khoi-dong-tuan-le-doi-moi-sang-tao-2025-post883505.html