On the morning of March 28, 2025, National Economics University (NEU), in collaboration with the Agency for Startups and Technology Enterprises under the Ministry of Science and Technology, organized a national scientific conference titled “Assessing the current state, potential, and solutions for integrating research and development (R&D), innovation, technology transfer, and intellectual property organizations supporting innovative startups into the national innovative startup ecosystem.”

An overview of the conference

Representing NEU at the conference were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU; Dr. Nguyen Huu Dong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the NEU Trade Union; Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council; and representatives of the leadership of schools, departments, faculties, institutes, and centers.

Attending from outside the University were Luong Van Thuong, Head of the Department of Innovative Startups, Agency for Startups and Technology Enterprises, Ministry of Science and Technology; Dr. Dang Thanh Dat, Deputy Director of the Center for Knowledge Transfer and Startup Support, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Huong Lan, Institute of Policy and Management, University of Social Sciences and Humanities; lawyer Vu Manh Hung, Director of Vu Gia & Partners; MSc. Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Service Center, Investment Development and Services One-Member Limited Liability Company, Vietnam National University of Agriculture; MSc. Tran Dao Hanh, Co-Head of the International Investment Community; representatives of research and development (R&D), innovation, technology transfer, and intellectual property organizations; and scientists and businesses.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU, speaks at the conference

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU, noted that amid the trend toward Industry 4.0 technologies, many countries have identified science and technology as a foundation and driver of development. In Vietnam, the Party, the State, and the Government have also introduced numerous measures over time to establish mechanisms and policies that promote business development.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong expressed his hope that the conference would help connect organizations and create conditions to support businesses in starting up and growing. He also expressed confidence that “with the participation of experts, researchers, and entrepreneurs, the conference will receive valuable contributions, providing an important impetus for us to formulate an appropriate development strategy and help advance Vietnam’s innovative startup ecosystem.”

Speakers present papers at the conference

Vietnam’s innovative startup ecosystem in general, and innovative startup activities in particular, have developed strongly and achieved many impressive results. Innovative startups have made breakthroughs and grown substantially, contributing significantly to socioeconomic development. Initiatives, solutions, and projects in innovation and innovative entrepreneurship have increasingly demonstrated their pioneering role in addressing socioeconomic issues.

According to StartupBlink’s “Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2024” report, Vietnam rose two places in the 2024 global startup ecosystem index rankings, from 58th to 56th. Vietnam maintained its fifth-place ranking in Southeast Asia and its 12th-place ranking in the Asia-Pacific region. Vietnam also ranked 31st globally in the number of startups. Vietnam’s startup ecosystem is considered to have achieved considerable success, with development across many sectors. Sectors within Vietnam’s startup ecosystem attracting substantial investor funding include e-commerce, financial technology, food technology, enterprise solutions, and information technology services. With unicorns such as MoMo and Sky Mavis, Vietnam is emerging as a startup nation in Southeast Asia.

Delegates attending the conference

Despite some impressive achievements, Vietnam’s innovative startup ecosystem remains at a formative stage. It is not yet sustainable, lacks the capacity to compete regionally and globally, and has yet to match the determination and intellect of the Vietnamese people. The number of successful startups remains limited, falling short of development potential and expectations.

One reason for these limitations is that organizations supporting innovative startups operate relatively independently, without close connections and cooperation to establish, nurture, and support the development of innovative startups. Strengthening connections among entities capable of supporting startups, in synergy with State resources to help build the capacity of ecosystem participants, is therefore considered a key factor in developing innovative startups. This would create a new generation of enterprises capable of accelerating Vietnam’s transition to an innovation-based growth model in the coming years, while helping innovative startups enhance their capacity to access and develop international markets in the context of globalization.

At the conference, delegates heard reports from administrators, experts, and scientists, along with numerous contributions clarifying the objectives and the factors hindering or facilitating the integration of organizations supporting innovative startups into national and regional innovative startup ecosystems. The discussions also provided insights into the current state of R&D organizations in Vietnam, helping participants better understand the challenges, opportunities, and solutions for providing support suited to practical conditions.

Article and photos: Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.