Experience in building an innovation ecosystem in Ho Chi Minh City

This event took place within the framework of WHISE 2024 - Innovation and Startup Week. The workshop was attended by representatives of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, delegates from neighboring provinces, representatives of training and businesses, and the creative startup community.

The workshop aims to share experiences in building an innovation ecosystem and specific policies of Ho Chi Minh City with neighboring provinces, and to point out difficulties, challenges and lessons. At the same time, the workshop supports improving the capacity of State management on innovation startups for localities, promoting cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and provinces in science, technology and innovation.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Hue, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, delivered the opening speech.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Hue, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that innovation is a decisive factor in enhancing national competitiveness. In recent times, Ho Chi Minh City has implemented many programs and plans to promote innovation activities, helping Ho Chi Minh City achieve many outstanding achievements, affirming the attractiveness of the startup ecosystem in the city.

Ms. Hue said that one of the areas that the city will focus on is developing innovation and creative startups in the direction of creating a favorable legal environment to improve efficiency and quality, gradually bringing the creative startup ecosystem of the city in particular and Vietnam in general on par with other countries in the region.

Ms. Phan Thi Quy Truc, Deputy Head of Intellectual Property and Innovation Management Department, representing the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, presented a paper.

At the workshop, Ms. Phan Thi Quy Truc, Deputy Head of the Department of Intellectual Property and Innovation Management, representing the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, said that in order to implement the orientation of developing the Innovation Startup Ecosystem 2023-2025, the city continues its advisory activities and at the same time applies many policies to promote the Innovation Startup Ecosystem.

In addition, the city plans to launch a number of projects such as the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (SIHUB), operating in parallel with the H.OIP platform, thereby forming an Innovation and Creativity network, helping to connect with neighboring provinces and foreign partners. The Startup University model is also in the initial stage with many support policies.

At the same time, Ms. Truc affirmed that the city will promote international cooperation in Innovation start-up activities, as well as promote Innovation activities in the public sector - Govtech, by organizing innocafe sessions, competitions to find solutions, Innovation services applied to the Public Sector, through policies to support research and development (R&D) orders, building an open Innovation platform in the public sector.

Delegates attending the conference took a souvenir photo.

During the workshop, delegates from neighboring provinces and cities also shared their views on developing the local Innovation and Startup Ecosystem. Accordingly, Ms. Le Thi Thuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang City, said that the city has had certain successes in identifying the city’s brand with international investors such as the United States, Singapore, Korea, etc.

At the same time, the Department's leaders also built a flexible support mechanism to meet the wishes of businesses, thereby optimizing the business support process, creating motivation to promote Innovative Startup businesses.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Representative of the Department of Science and Technology of Ben Tre province, shared that Ben Tre province has implemented a number of activities to support start-up activities such as start-up communication; training, capacity building; consulting, supporting and dialogue with start-up businesses; connecting and perfecting products; promoting trade; connecting investment funds; supporting start-up competitions, etc.

Recently, Ben Tre province has recorded a number of successful start-up businesses that have developed and become famous from local products such as coconuts, fruits, etc.

To realize the goal of bringing the city's Innovation and Startup Ecosystem in particular and Vietnam in general to par with other countries in the region, cooperation and connection between Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces and cities is an important factor to develop Vietnam's innovation and startup ecosystem.

By leveraging the strengths of each locality and creating a tightly connected network, it is possible to build a strong startup ecosystem, contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

Ha An

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