Ho Chi Minh City opens gateway for Vietnamese start-ups to Finland’s ‘Silicon Valley’

Officials from the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC C4IR) hosted a working session this week with a high-level delegation from Tampere, led by Deputy Mayor Jouni Markkanen. 

The delegation included representatives from the Tampere Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish Business Association, and the Finnish Embassy in Vietnam.

The session marked a key step toward signing a memorandum of understanding between the two city governments, targeting cooperation in smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, logistics, smart cities, and sustainable construction.

"This collaboration reflects our commitment to global innovation and our desire to learn from Finland's success in fostering a robust start-up culture," said Le Truong Duy, director of HCMC C4IR.

One highlight of the session was a discussion on smart manufacturing, where the Vietnamese side introduced an upcoming evaluation toolkit to help local enterprises assess their readiness for digital production transformation. 

The toolkit, set for release by the end of 2025, will also act as an open exchange platform—offering Vietnamese SMEs access to technology solutions while giving Finnish firms a gateway to the Vietnamese market.

In the construction sector, Tampere shared insights from a Finnish firm with more than 65 years of experience. 

The company provides a full-suite solution, from factory-produced precast components to AI-powered lifecycle management tools using advanced 3D and 4D BIM models. 

Officials said this model could be piloted in Ho Chi Minh City soon, merging smart design with sustainability.

The two sides also explored collaboration in innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Ho Chi Minh City is currently developing seed funding mechanisms and competitive programs to support early-stage ventures. 

A major event, Open Innovation Day, is slated for late October and will bring together 300-500 Vietnamese start-ups.

Officials expressed hopes that Vietnamese start-ups will be able to visit Tampere for exposure to global innovation hubs, while Finnish entrepreneurs would be welcomed in Vietnam to work on practical challenges and build connections.

Following the session, both sides agreed on a tripartite model of cooperation—co-research, co-implementation, and co-development—with support from government agencies, universities, and businesses. 

Tampere's delegation has been invited to attend the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum in November, where they will present technologies, join policy discussions on AI, and connect with local start-ups.

Ho Chi Minh City is also considering joining Tampere's international smart city network to broaden its global reach in sustainable urban development.

The meeting reflects the growing role of HCMC C4IR, established in 2024 as part of a partnership between the Vietnamese government and the World Economic Forum. 

The center brings together leading institutions such as Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, Viettel, Sovico, and HD Bank under a public-private model designed to shape technology policy and drive digital innovation.