According to the Global Creative Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 report announced by StartupBlink organization, Ho Chi Minh City increased 12 places, rising to 98th position and for the first time in the Top 100 global startup ecosystems.
This is the highest ranking of Ho Chi Minh City to date on the StartupBlink ranking, and also helps the City complete the goal of entering the Top 100 about 4 years earlier than the orientation to 2030.
Besides the Top 100 global milestone, the City's innovative startup ecosystem continues to record many outstanding results when ranking 2nd in Southeast Asia in terms of the maturity of the ecosystem, ranking 7th in Asia-Pacific in terms of the vibrancy of the startup community.
StartupBlink's ranking is currently one of the most prestigious international indicators on the innovative startup ecosystem, evaluating more than 1,500 cities and 100 countries worldwide based on groups of criteria on operating scale, ecosystem quality and business environment supporting innovation.
This year's ranking results show that Ho Chi Minh City's efforts to improve the startup support environment, promote innovation and strengthen international connection are gradually being recognized by the international community.
At the same time, this is also an important reference data source to help management agencies, support organizations, investors and the expert community have an objective view of Ho Chi Minh City's position in the regional and global creative startup picture.
In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has continuously promoted policies and programs to support startups and innovation, develop open innovation models, strengthen investment connections, promote international cooperation and put into operation the Ho Chi Minh City Creative Startup Center (SIHUB) according to the public-private partnership model.
Assessing this result, Mr. Lam Dinh Thang - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology said: "The 98th global position is the result of persistent efforts and the companionship of many components in the ecosystem, from the startup community, investors, universities, research institutes to supporting organizations and state management agencies. This result shows that the city's innovative startup ecosystem is having positive changes, gradually approaching international standards.
Besides positive results, Ho Chi Minh City also recognizes that the innovative startup ecosystem still has a lot of room to continue to improve, especially in terms of support mechanisms, innovation infrastructure and international connectivity. In the coming time, Ho Chi Minh City will continue to promote policy pilot models, develop open innovation and support startups to expand regional and international markets.
According to StartupBlink 2026, Vietnam rose 5 places to 50th in the world - the highest level ever, with an ecosystem growth rate of 67.9%, the highest in Southeast Asia. Vietnam currently has 4 cities in the Top 1,000 global startup ecosystems.
