Aiming for a leading role in innovation and digital advancement, Ho Chi Minh City aspires to become a prominent regional digital hub.
**Ho Chi Minh City Embraces Digital Future as National Innovation Hub**
Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) is positioning itself as Vietnam’s leading innovation and digital hub by investing heavily in modern digital infrastructure and fostering a unified innovation and digital transformation ecosystem.
The city's strategy is anchored by major projects like the CMC Hyperscale Data Center at Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP), designed to be the "AI heart" of the city. Powered by a $250 million investment and cutting-edge technologies, this center delivers scalable, high-bandwidth, low-latency services in AI-as-a-Service, Cloud, Big Data, Cybersecurity, while incorporating renewable energy to meet international Green DC standards.
HCM City's digital infrastructure plan is closely aligned with national priorities, notably Resolution 57 (on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation) and Resolution 68 (promoting the private sector’s role in the economy). These policies encourage collaboration between the government, private enterprises, academia, and research institutions to foster a unified innovation and digital transformation ecosystem.
The city is capitalising on its position as Vietnam’s economic and technological powerhouse, attracting R&D centres, AI startups, investment funds, and technology universities. HCM City's regional strengths include a dense concentration of tech talent, a dynamic private sector, and established high-tech zones like SHTP, which serve as magnets for both domestic and international investment.
The city is also actively cultivating a global startup ecosystem. The city's Innovation and Startup Centre is aligning with regional and national networks to create synergies between research institutes, universities, businesses, scientists, investors, and government agencies. This integrated approach is designed to accelerate the commercialization of research, attract venture capital, and nurture high-growth startups capable of competing internationally.
In addition to infrastructure, HCM City aims to build a unified innovation and digital transformation ecosystem that connects research institutes, universities, businesses, scientists, investors, and government agencies. The city is developing a unified science and technology market, and plans to align its Innovation and Startup Centre with regional and national networks.
Moreover, the city is investing in modern digital infrastructure, including data centres, high-performance computing systems, and 5G expansion. The government is refining policies to promote private sector investment in research and development (R&D) and improve collaboration between R&D centres and key laboratories that meet global standards.
As HCM City builds on its legacy of innovation and embraces a digital future, it is poised to lead Vietnam's journey toward a knowledge-based, globally competitive economy. With over 2,000 startups, roughly half the national total, the city is already a hub for innovation and digital transformation, and its ambition is to retain and grow this position.
| Element | Description | Regional Leverage | |---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | Hyperscale Data Centers | Cutting-edge, green, scalable infrastructure for AI, cloud, and big data | Attracts global tech firms and talent | | 5G Expansion | Seamless, high-speed connectivity across the city | Supports IoT, smart city, and startups | | Innovation Ecosystem | Unified network of research, academia, business, and government | Accelerates commercialization and growth | | Policy Alignment | National resolutions on innovation, digital transformation, and private sector involvement | Ensures strategic coordination | | R&D Investment | Government policies promoting private sector investment in R&D | Attracts venture capital and startups | | Startup Ecosystem | Aligning Innovation and Startup Centre with regional and national networks | Accelerates commercialization and growth | | Infrastructure Investment | Investing in modern digital infrastructure, including data centres, high-performance computing systems, and 5G expansion | Supports IoT, smart city, and startups |
- The government, in alignment with national resolutions like Resolution 57 and Resolution 68, is encouraging collaboration between the government, private enterprises, academia, and research institutions in Ho Chi Minh City to foster a unified innovation and digital transformation ecosystem.
- The CMC Hyperscale Data Center at Saigon Hi-Tech Park, serving as the "AI heart" of the city, is a significant project powering a $250 million investment and cutting-edge technologies, delivering scalable, high-bandwidth, low-latency services in AI-as-a-Service, Cloud, Big Data, Cybersecurity, and utilizing renewable energy to meet international Green DC standards.
- As Ho Chi Minh City continues to invest in modern digital infrastructure including data centers, high-performance computing systems, and 5G expansion, the government is refining policies to promote private sector investment in research and development (R&D) and improve collaboration between R&D centres and key laboratories that meet global standards.
- The city is developing a unified science and technology market, and its Innovation and Startup Centre is aligning with regional and national networks to create synergies between research institutes, universities, businesses, scientists, investors, and government agencies, accelerating the commercialization of research, attracting venture capital, and nurturing high-growth startups capable of competing internationally.
- Ho Chi Minh City is also actively cultivating a global startup ecosystem by attracting R&D centres, AI startups, investment funds, and technology universities, capitalizing on its position as Vietnam’s economic and technological powerhouse.
- With over 2,000 startups, roughly half the national total, and regional strengths including a dense concentration of tech talent, a dynamic private sector, and established high-tech zones like SHTP, Ho Chi Minh City's ambition is to retain and grow its position as a hub for innovation and digital transformation, leading Vietnam's journey toward a knowledge-based, globally competitive economy.
