HCM City among top 5 leading innovative startup ecosystems in Southeast Asia
According to a report released by StartupBlink, the southern city has advanced in the global rankings for four consecutive years, particularly in the Fintech sector, which has experienced rapid growth.
Ho Chi Minh City continues to shine as Vietnam’s most promising startup hub as it has climbed one place to rank 110th in the global startup ecosystem - marking its highest position ever. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - Ho Chi Minh City continues to shine ♑as Vietnam’s most promising startup hub as it has climbed one place🎶 to rank 110th in the global startup ecosystem - marking its highest position ever, and entered the Top 5 leading innovative startup ecosystems in Southeast Asia for the first time.
According to a report released by StartupBlink, which is globally recognised evaluation tool in measuring startup ecosystems, the southern city has advanced in the global rankings for four consecutive years, particularly in the Fintech sector, which has experienced rapid growth. TIt is now ranked in the global Top 30 for Blockchain and holds the second position in Southeast Asia.
The city is the most vibrant and dynamic startup hub in Vietnam. It has made significant strides in developing support infrastructure and is gradually becoming a notable destination in Asia, thanks to its dynamic and creative startup community, strong support from the municipal authorities, and an increasingly improved business environment.
Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology, stated that the city's rise in the StartupBlink ranking is a well-deserved recognition of the collective efforts of the political system and innovative startup ecosystem of the southern metropolis.
HCM City set to bring its startup and innovation ecosystem into the Top 100 most dynamic global startup ecosystems by 2030, he said, adding that the city is focusing on three main pillars of policy, infrastructure, and human resources.
This year’s rise in the rankings not only reflects HCM City’s continuous efforts to improve its startup environment, but also presents an opportunity for the city to reassess and reposition itself within the global startup ecosystem, he went on.
The southern hub will develop and consult experts on a plan to advance its innovation-driven startup ecosystem for the 2025–2030 period. This is also a necessary preparatory step for implementing the targets set by Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, towards positioning HCM City among the Top 100 most dynamic global startup ecosystems in the coming years./.
Vietnam currently has over 4,000 innovative startups, including two unicorns valued at over 1 billion USD, 11 companies valued at over 100 million USD, more than 1,400 startup support organisations, 202 co-working spaces, 208 investment funds, and 35 business promotion organisations. Among these, it is estimated that around 200-300 companies focus on green transition, covering areas such as renewable energy, environmental technology, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy.
The 5th National Startup Summit (Vietnam Startup 2024) took place on December 8-12 with the theme "Artificial Intelligence Technology and Cross-Border Innovation."
Ho Chi Minh City ranks third in Southeast Asia in terms of startup ecosystem value, with an economic impact of 5.22 billion USD, according to Startup Genome Global Startup Ecosystem Report, released at the Saigon Summit recently held in the city.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
