Innovative startups aim to form tech enterprises with international competitiveness

Innovating mindset on developing the innovative startup ecosystem

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Techfest Hai Phong 2026 under the theme "Converging Intelligence - Sailing out for Innovation" on August 4 in Hai Phong City, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology (MoST) Hoang Minh stated that Vietnam is entering a new stage of development, in which science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation have become crucial drivers to enhance productivity, growth quality, and national economic competitiveness.

According to the Deputy Minister, the National Strategy on Innovative Startups has marked a significant shift in development mindset, moving from supporting individual startups to building an innovative startup nation. The objective is not merely to create more startups, but to foster an environment where innovation becomes the growth driver for enterprises, organizations, and every citizen.

"Innovative startups are not an end in themselves. The ultimate goal is to form many technology enterprises with international competitiveness, apply advanced technologies and research results into production and business, create high-quality jobs, and make an increasingly significant contribution to economic growth", Deputy Minister Hoang Minh emphasized.

To realize this goal, the Deputy Minister suggested that Hai Phong continue developing its innovation ecosystem with enterprises at the center; strengthen linkages between businesses and research institutes or universities; and promote the commercialization of research results through science and technology enterprises as well as university spin-off models.

Along with that, the city needs to expand venture capital sources, develop high-quality human resources, and foster international cooperation.

Deputy Minister Hoang Minh affirmed that MoST will continue to accompany Hai Phong City in connecting networks of innovation centers and domestic and foreign investment funds, while completing controlled testing mechanisms (sandbox) to facilitate the development of innovative models.

Hai Phong aims to become a regional innovation growth pole

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Minh, achievements recorded in recent years demonstrate that Hai Phong City possesses favorable conditions to become an innovation hub for the Northern Coastal Region.

The StartupBlink 2025 Report recognized the city's presence among the world's top 1,000 startup ecosystems for the first time.

In addition, Hai Phong has continuously ranked among the top localities in the Provincial Innovation Index (PII) and achieved high results in digital transformation over many consecutive years.

Currently, the City is home to over 200 innovative startups and 71 science and technology enterprises, while implementing numerous policies to attract investment in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and innovation investment funds. This is considered an important foundation for the locality to further expand its innovation ecosystem in the coming period.

Hai Phong City attracts investment in AI, semiconductors, big data, biotechnology, smart logistics, and marine technology

Also at the event, Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Phong City noted that Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo identified science, technology, innovation (STI), digital transformation as the most vital growth driver in the new era.

Regarding Hai Phong, Vice Chairman Hoang Minh Cuong emphasized: "This is not only an orientation but also an opportunity to transform the growth model, building an economy based on knowledge and technology".

Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong added that the City has implemented the Resolution 57-NQ/TW under the "6 clear" principle: clear personnel, clear tasks, clear timelines, clear responsibilities, clear products, and clear authority, while leveraging specific mechanisms to promulgate policies aimed at unlocking resources for development.

In the 2026-2030 period, Hai Phong City will continue to prioritize attracting investment in AI, semiconductors, big data, biotechnology, smart logistics, and marine technology.

The City leader also affirmed that Hai Phong will continue perfecting its innovative startup ecosystem, supporting innovation spaces, investment funds, advisory experts, and policy sandbox mechanisms, thereby creating favorable conditions for technology enterprises to grow and expand into international markets.

Connecting technology, investment, and international resources

Taking place from August 4 to August 5 at Vietnam Maritime University, Techfest Hai Phong 2026 gathers over 3,000 in-person delegates and approximately 10,000 online participants.

The event features the participation of partners from South Korea, China, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand, contributing to expanding international cooperation networks in the fields of STI.

Additionally, the exhibition space "Voyage of 5 Tech Ports" stands out as a highlight of the program, featuring 125 physical booths, 125 virtual booths, and over 1,000 technology and innovation products from more than 200 enterprises. Alongside the exhibition is a series of seminars, forums, investment matching sessions, technology supply-demand matching, and cooperation activities between businesses, research institutes, and universities.

During the opening ceremony, the Organizing Committee presented the Decision recognizing the provincial-level Innovative Startup Support Center to the Hai Phong City's Innovation and STI Application Center. This is expected to serve as a core driver to boost technology business incubation, connect resources, and complete the city's innovation ecosystem.

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After 9 years of organization, Techfest Hai Phong is no longer merely a local startup community platform, but is gradually becoming a regional forum connecting technology, innovation, and investment.

With an increasingly improved policy foundation and active participation from research institutes, universities, enterprises, and domestic and international investors, the event is expected to promote technology commercialization and foster the emergence of more "Make in Viet Nam" technology enterprises, thereby realizing the goal of transforming Hai Phong City into an innovation center for the Northern Coastal Region and the country as a whole./.

Copyright belongs to the Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology (VJST-MOST)