Ho Chi Minh City allocates $483mn for science, technology in 2026 budget

The allocation accounts for 4.16 percent of the city's total budgeted expenditure for this year, in line with a target range of four percent to five percent, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology.

Officials said the city aims to move away from fragmented investment toward focused spending that can deliver measurable outcomes and directly support its goal of achieving double-digit economic growth.

The funding plan was outlined on Wednesday at a conference reviewing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation efforts in 2025 and setting priorities for 2026.

A significant portion of the budget will be directed toward expanding digital infrastructure and data architecture as the city develops into a megacity, officials said. 

The city plans to increase 5G network coverage from 70 percent to 80 percent of the population, while also investing in Internet of Things infrastructure and smart camera systems.

Authorities said the shift in spending priorities reflects an emphasis on digital foundations and commissioned research projects rather than broad-based funding, as the city enters what it described as an acceleration year for science and technology development.