On December 11, 2025, at the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (SIHUB) – under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology (HCMC Department of S&T), the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (SIHUB) and Canva – a global technology unicorn and design platform from New South Wales, Australia – officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement. This event aims to affirm that Ho Chi Minh City is not only the “home” of domestic technology unicorns but also a reliable and attractive destination for international technology unicorns.

Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology and the tech unicorn Canva

The collaborative program promotes the development of digital innovation skills through intensive training courses, workshops, and industry networking activities to support startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as educators and managers in Ho Chi Minh City. The implementation of specific activities helps strengthen and elevate the city’s innovation ecosystem, aiming to attract more technology unicorns and large corporations from around the world to collaborate and invest in product development.

Mr. Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, delivered a speech at the Signing Ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, emphasized: “The cooperation with Canva will create a strong digital innovation environment, contributing to the development of high-quality human resources and promoting comprehensive digital transformation, helping Ho Chi Minh City enhance its competitiveness on the global technology map, and opening up many opportunities for sustainable international cooperation and investment.”

Ms. Sarah Hooper, Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City

Ms. Sarah Hooper, Consul-General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City, stated, “Australia’s strengths in technology, the digital economy, and research and development form the foundation of our international partnerships. Supporting science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation is one of the six pillars of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia. The collaboration between Canva, the Department of Science and Technology, SIHUB, and Investment New South Wales is the most vivid testament to our shared vision becoming a reality. Australia is proud to be a steadfast partner in Vietnam’s innovation and digital transformation journey.”

The collaborative program promotes the development of digital innovation skills through intensive training courses, workshops, and industry networking activities to support startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as educators and managers in Ho Chi Minh City. The implementation of specific activities helps strengthen and elevate the city’s innovation ecosystem, aiming to attract more technology unicorns and large corporations from around the world to collaborate and invest in product development.

Ms. Elle Liu, Country Director of Canva Vietnam, shared, “Canva sincerely thanks the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the Department of Science and Technology, and SIHUB for creating the opportunity for us to share our collaborative direction in developing digital human resources in the design field. As a global creative platform with nearly 300 million users and over 30 billion designs created, Canva chose Ho Chi Minh City because of its dynamic innovation ecosystem and the important connecting role of the Department of Science and Technology and SIHUB. In the coming time, Canva will implement a project to train and promote creative capacity for three key communities: education, SMEs and startups, and the group of designers and content creators. Activities include training in digital design skills, organizing creative playgrounds and competitions, and building a community geared towards international market integration. Canva is committed to a long-term partnership with Ho Chi Minh City in the journey of developing high-quality creative human resources.”

Ms. Elle Liu, Country Director – Canva Vietnam

The signing ceremony was held within the framework of the multilateral partnership between Ho Chi Minh City and the State of New South Wales, with active support from Investment NSW and the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Through this cooperation program, Ho Chi Minh City not only further affirms its role as a regional innovation and technology hub, but also contributes to promoting the expansion of trade, investment, education, and digital human resource development internationally.

Mr. Anoulak Chanthivong, Minister for Trade and Investment of New South Wales, affirmed: “These initiatives reflect the solid and robust development of the relationship between New South Wales and Vietnam. Today, we want to highlight our partnership with a focus on technology, while cooperation between the two sides extends to many other areas such as education, advanced manufacturing, health sciences, clean energy and agriculture. These areas mark key points where close collaboration will bring tangible benefits to both economies.”
Through this strategic partnership, Ho Chi Minh City demonstrates its determination to strengthen its efforts to attract innovative technology businesses and international partners, creating a space for connection, sharing, and interaction for diverse and high-quality innovative resources. The collaboration of leading international businesses and organizations will contribute to the sustainable development of the city’s innovation ecosystem, accelerate the digital transformation process, and create many practical socio-economic values ​​for the community.

 Hoang Chuong