Within the framework of the National TECHFEST Vietnam Innovation and Startup Festival 2025, the Ministry of Science and Technology organized a workshop on "Local economic development policies through innovative startup activities".
The event attracted the participation of representatives of localities, management agencies and the startup community, to exchange practical experiences and orient economic development associated with innovation in the context of implementing Resolution 57 of the Politburo.
Innovation - focus on improving competitiveness
At the workshop, Mr. Vo Hoang Khai - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai province emphasized that the province identifies innovation as a key driving force to improve productivity and increase capacity to participate in the global value chain. Dong Nai has concretized Resolution 57 through an action plan, focusing on investing in digital infrastructure, innovation centers and science and technology support funds to create a sustainable foundation for businesses, while building a science and technology database system to serve the linkage between sectors and units.
Mr. Vo Hoang Khai said that up to now, the province has recorded dozens of innovative startups and many commercialized products, contributing to bringing innovation into local economic development practice.
Sharing the same view, Ms. Vu Thi Kim Chi - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Quang Ninh affirmed that creative startups are a new growth driver, especially when most local businesses are small and medium enterprises. Ms. Chi believes that innovative startups not only help unlock resources but also improve competitiveness, promote comprehensive digital transformation and develop the knowledge economy.
Quang Ninh focuses on reforming administrative procedures, supporting businesses, expanding application and innovation centers, developing a network of joint workspaces and attracting the participation of students and creative youth. Technology products such as smart digital tourism maps and traceability solutions have made their mark in the local startup community.
Identifying the "Green Innovation Center" and practical lessons
In the Central Highlands region, Ms. Pham Thi Nham - Deputy Director of Lam Dong Department of Science and Technology said that the province is building a vision to become a "green innovation center" of Vietnam by 2030, based on the advantages of high-tech agriculture, smart tourism and green industry. Ms. Nham believes that identifying a new growth model associated with technology and sustainability will help the locality develop strongly in the future.
Lam Dong has formed a startup group at universities and startup support centers, opened product testing space and developed an innovation community. In the coming period, the locality plans to build a regional innovation center and a venture capital fund to attract talent and perfect the local ecosystem.
The opinions at the workshop provided practical evidence of the benefits and challenges of implementing innovative startup policies in the locality. This not only helps supplement important practical data for central-level policy making but also affirms the role of each locality in the national innovation ecosystem.
The event also opens up a multi-dimensional space for connecting management agencies, businesses, investors and the technology community, contributing to promoting the three-way cooperation model in developing the innovative startup ecosystem in Vietnam.
