On the morning of November 26, at the Ho Chi Minh City Innovative Startup Center. HO CHI MINH CITY (SIHUB), HO CHI MINH CITY PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE. Ho Chi Minh City coordinated with the Department of Science and Technology to organize the opening ceremony of the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation, Science and Technology and Creative Startup Week. Ho Chi Minh City (WISE HCMC⁺ 2025).

Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, deputy director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, speaking at the opening ceremony of WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 – Photo: TRUONG LINH

WISE HCMC+ 2025 is considered a key technology and innovation event of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City during the year is both a technology demonstration venue and a strategic forum to connect investment, create policies and expand international cooperation, aiming to make the city a financial and technological center of the region.

HCMC Ho Chi Minh City affirms its role as an innovation leader

The event took place for three days from November 26 to 28, with nearly 200 booths displaying technology products, digital transformation solutions, research and application models and start-up projects from businesses, institutes, incubation centers and international organizations.

Speaking at the opening, Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, deputy director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that 2025 marks an important transition for the city, from a growth model based on capital and resources to a model based on knowledge, technology and innovation.

“Entrepreneurs need to see innovation as an investment in their own future, while startups must not only look at the domestic market but also the region and the world,” he emphasized.

Sharing more, Mr. Tuyen also stated four pillars for Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City to attract and nurture high-quality human resources in the field of science and technology.

In which, the superior mechanism and policy based on the authority of Resolution 98, will facilitate the implementation of new and controlled trials.

In addition, digital infrastructure (AI system, Big Data and cloud computing) for innovation as well as human resource training needs to be long-term and continuously innovated according to the development needs of the city.

“The element of international cooperation also needs to be in-depth, to each component of the innovation ecosystem, from investment funds, startup groups, competitions, to the coordination of experts and institutes,” he added.

According to a report by Startup Blink, the startup ecosystem of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City continues to grow, ranking 110/1,000 global cities and ranking third in Southeast Asia, showing that Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City is becoming a “hot spot” for breakthrough ideas and new investment capital flows.

“Vietnam is the most stable technology destination in the region”

At the event, Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed that the city is committed to accompanying and leading the innovation community in the coming period.

“This is not only a task but also a strategic vision to position Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City is the leading creative center of the region and the world,” Ms. Thuy said.

The city aims to form a regional innovation center in the period of 2026-2030, an international financial center based on digital technology, and an ASEAN intellectual center, attracting global experts, startups and investors to work, research and develop technology.

Many international businesses consider Vietnam as a leading technology partner market – Photo: TRUONG LINH

Sharing with Tuoi Tre Online, Mr. Kim Younghun, Director of the Representative Office of the Korea Information Technology Industry Promotion Institute (NIPA) in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, said that the most prominent feature of Vietnam is social stability that many countries in the APAC region cannot maintain. This is a very good environment for ICT companies to expand their international business.

Accordingly, Vietnam has changed from a manufacturing market to a deep tech and high-tech cooperation partner market. Mr. Kim said that in the first 9 months of the year, more than 400 Korean businesses came to Vietnam to look for technology partners. The three most interested areas include: digital health, fintech, and AI application manufacturing.

Regarding technology trends in the 2025-2030 period, Mr. Kim forecasts that two prominent trends, namely Quantum Computing – a long-term strategic technology and Small Language Models (SLM), will thrive, especially in fields that require intensive AI models such as healthcare, fintech or public administration.

Within the scope of the exhibition, nearly 200 booths displayed digital transformation solutions, future technology, artificial intelligence, digital logistics, educational technology, materials science and start-up projects from Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Singapore, etc.

With the participation of a large number of international experts and many new technology products, WISE HCMC⁺ 2025 is expected to become a launching pad for the innovation ecosystem of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to bringing the city closer to the goal of becoming the region’s leading digital economy and innovation center.

Source: Tuoi Tre Online