Ho Chi Minh City wants to stand tall as one of Southeast Asia’s top science, technology and innovation centers by 2030. Leaders just wrapped up key workshops to turn that vision into real action. They plan big jumps in research spending and heavy private sector involvement to drive growth.
The targets came into sharp focus at a workshop held on March 25. City officials and experts gathered to map out the next steps for 2026 through 2030.
Bold Goals Set for Research Investment
Ho Chi Minh City plans to lift research and development investment to between 2 and 3 percent of its GDP by 2030. This marks a major increase from current levels in Vietnam, where national R&D spending sits well below 1 percent of GDP in recent years.1
The city also wants the private sector to cover more than 60 percent of all R&D spending. This shift puts businesses at the heart of innovation instead of relying mostly on government funds.
Lê Thanh Minh, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, stressed that science and technology must serve as a key driver in the city’s new phase of green growth and digital transformation. He called it an important foundation for stronger competitiveness and long-term success.
These goals line up with the national direction set by Politburo Resolution 57-NQ/TW from late 2024. That resolution makes breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation a top priority for the whole country.
Private Sector to Lead Innovation Efforts
Putting companies in the lead makes good sense for Ho Chi Minh City. The city already serves as Vietnam’s economic powerhouse and cradle of technology. It hosts a strong base of startups, universities and tech firms.
By 2030 the city aims to rank among the world’s top 100 cities for dynamic startup ecosystems. Plans call for 5,000 innovative startups and for 40 percent of all businesses to actively engage in innovation activities. Officials also want to raise the rate of turning research results into commercial products to 8-10 percent.2
The private sector push ties into broader national efforts. Recent resolutions highlight businesses as the main engine of economic growth. In Ho Chi Minh City this means creating better conditions for technology transfer and collaboration between firms, universities and research institutes.
Experts who joined the workshops repeatedly called for stronger links across government, academia and industry. They said closing the gap between research and real-world use will decide whether the city meets its targets.
Recent Workshops Gather Expert Input
The March 25 workshop carried the title “Vision and Strategy for Ho Chi Minh City’s Science, Technology and Innovation Development for 2026-2030: From Ideas to Action.” It built on seven earlier sessions held March 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 17.
Those meetings focused on Resolution 57 and collected ideas to strengthen the local innovation ecosystem. They brought together experts, researchers, policymakers and business leaders.
Organizers gathered nearly 100 opinions from 63 research institutes, universities and enterprises. A wider survey in early March added more than 250 contributions from over 100 organizations.
Participants assessed current strengths, spotted challenges and suggested research directions that match both global trends and local needs. The Department of Science and Technology will use this feedback to finalize the 2026-2030 program before sending it to the People’s Committee for approval.
Focus on Key Technologies and Practical Impact
The draft program puts priority on strategic fields. These include artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain to improve city management and create high-value products. In healthcare the focus sits on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and digital health tools. Agriculture efforts will use smart farming and biotech to boost productivity while building climate resilience.
The city also plans to develop research and innovation centers that meet international standards. These hubs should speed up the move from lab ideas to market-ready solutions.
Semiconductor development forms another important piece. Ho Chi Minh City aims to attract at least four high-value foreign direct investment projects in this sector during 2026 alone. Officials are working closely with global players such as AMD, NVIDIA and Qualcomm to build R&D capabilities and move up the value chain.3
Talent development stands out as critical. The city has launched programs to train nearly 2 million residents in AI skills by 2030, covering about 15 percent of the population. This includes civil servants, workers and students to prepare everyone for a digital future.
Existing infrastructure gives the city a solid starting point. It operates a High-Tech Park, an Innovation and Startup Center and multiple incubation programs. In 2024 these supported hundreds of startup projects through competitions and acceleration tracks.
Path Forward Brings Real Opportunities
Success will depend on solving several challenges. Vietnam still lags behind neighbors like Singapore in R&D spending and patent output. Talent retention remains difficult as many skilled professionals look abroad for better opportunities. Turning research into commercial success also needs smoother coordination and clearer rules on intellectual property.
Yet the momentum feels strong. Ho Chi Minh City already ranks among the top startup ecosystems in Southeast Asia. Its large young population, growing middle class and strategic location offer natural advantages.
If the city hits these targets it could attract more high-quality foreign investment, create better-paying jobs and set an example for other Vietnamese regions. The plan supports national goals for faster, more sustainable growth based on knowledge and technology rather than low-cost manufacturing alone.
The workshops showed wide agreement on one point. Science and technology must deliver real benefits to people and businesses to succeed. Officials say they will keep acting as a bridge to connect all the players and speed up practical results.
Ho Chi Minh City stands at an exciting crossroads. Its leaders have set clear, ambitious targets and started collecting the ideas needed to reach them. The coming years will test whether the city can turn these plans into lasting progress that lifts its economy and improves daily life for millions of residents.
