“Innovation and Technology – The Future of Our City” is the theme of the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation, Science and Technology and Creative Entrepreneurship Week 2025 (WISE HCMC⁺ 2025). The reporter of Saigon Liberation Newspaper had an exchange with Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City regarding activities at WISE HCMC⁺ 2025.

CORRESPONDENT: Sir, WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 with the theme “Innovation and Technology – The Future of our city” is expected to be an important step forward in the realization of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo. Can you share about the importance of this event?

Mr. TRAN TRONG TUYEN: WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 is oriented to be an annual event of international stature, not only a technology demonstration but also an annual strategic forum with prestige and quality in investment connection, policy creation and promotion of international cooperation. WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 attracts the participation of technology corporations, investors, investment funds, experts and innovative start-ups.

WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 is organized to concretize major orientations, in which the focus is to strongly implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated 22-12-2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation. The event is also within the framework of the implementation of the Project to support the development of the innovative startup ecosystem in Ho Chi Minh City in the period of 2021-2025 and the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, in order to realize the goal of making Ho Chi Minh City a digital economy leader and a regional financial and technology center.

The group of project authors (business sector) won the first prize at the contest “Innovative startups in the field of high-tech agriculture in 2025”. Photo: QUANG HUY

During the 4 days (from 25 to 28 November) with 200 booths and many diverse activities, how does this event contribute to affirming Ho Chi Minh City’s position on the global innovation map?

WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 with the participation of international partners from Korea, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Finland, Austria… have brought many positive impacts to the innovative startup ecosystem of Ho Chi Minh City. The event contributes to strongly attracting international investment inflows through direct connection activities between investors and startups, helping hundreds of startups access capital, expand the market and increase confidence in the growth potential of the city’s startup ecosystem.

At the same time, the participation of partners from countries with developed technology also creates an important bridge in international cooperation and the transfer of knowledge, experience and technology, supporting businesses in Ho Chi Minh City to improve their competitiveness and deeply integrate into the global value chain.

The innovative startup ecosystem of Ho Chi Minh City has achieved outstanding results over the past time. How will WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 honor and connect these achievements to continue to promote the development of startups and innovative businesses?

Ho Chi Minh City’s innovative startup ecosystem continues to affirm its position on the international map, as shown by maintaining and significantly improving its global ranking. Specifically, according to the ranking of StarupBlink, Ho Chi Minh City’s innovative startup ecosystem is in the top 5 in Southeast Asia and in the top 110 globally. The fields of Fintech, Blockchain, educational technology, digital health… have all made outstanding progress (especially in the field of Fintech, with a high growth rate and currently ranked in the top 30 globally in Blockchain and 2nd in Southeast Asia).

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City’s policies to support innovative startups have achieved certain results. Up to now, 233 projects have been supported (209 pre-incubation and incubation projects; 24 accelerated projects), with a total budget of 23 billion VND.

WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 is meant to honor the contributions of individuals and organizations to science and technology activities, innovation and digital transformation. But more importantly, it opens up more opportunities to promote the dynamic and sustainable development of the innovative startup ecosystem in Ho Chi Minh City.

Some of the main activities at WISE HCMC⁺ 2025

– Connecting international cooperation on innovation: Organizing the International Conference “Technological Breakthrough and Innovation – Creating the Future Generation for Ho Chi Minh City”, with the participation of international speakers, business leaders, Asian technology associations and the startup community.

– Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises: Seminar “Transformation secrets for SMEs & Business Households – Modernizing sales & proactively complying with the new Tax Law”; the final round of the contest “Innovative startups in high-tech agriculture in 2025”.

– There are also activities: Connecting investment, promoting start-ups; Displaying – spreading technology models and solutions; Supporting digital transformation in the public sector…