Ho Chi Minh City sets sights on becoming international innovation hub

On October 9, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc chaired a working session with leaders of Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) to discuss the joint implementation of the project 'Ho Chi Minh City -- Vietnam’s International Innovation Hub.'

The project aims to translate Resolution No. 57 and Notice No. 45 of the Central Steering Committee into action, both of which highlight the city’s pioneering role in developing a knowledge-based economy, science and technology, and innovation.

'The Triple Helix': Connecting key resources

Under the project plan, the city’s Department of Science and Technology will act as the lead agency, coordinating closely with VNU-HCM and relevant departments to finalize the project.

At the heart of the effort is the creation of a collaborative framework -- 'Triple Helix: One Vision, One Action' -- uniting government, academia, and industry.

The model will propose special policies and mechanisms to strengthen partnerships, encourage innovation, and promote resource sharing among stakeholders. 

It will also outline a joint action plan with clear objectives, milestones, and responsibilities.

VNU-HCM will leverage its academic strengths, research infrastructure, and scientific networks to work with the Department of Science and Technology in establishing the 'HCMC Innovation Hub' -- a center that integrates infrastructure, knowledge, technology, and enterprise.

This hub will serve as a strategic platform for technology development and transfer, commercialization of research results, workforce training, and the expansion of public–private partnerships to mobilize social resources for innovation.

At the meeting, chairman Duoc emphasized the need for coordinated, results-oriented implementation of the project, which he said will be key to positioning Ho Chi Minh City as a regional innovation hub and a leader in digital transformation by 2030.

Strategic vision and breakthrough mechanisms

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, deputy director of VNU-HCM, noted that the university hopes to support the city’s major strategic priorities in science, technology, and innovation, as outlined in Resolution 98/2023/QH15 and new directives from the Party Central Committee such as Resolutions 57, 68, 59, and 71.

This collaboration will help establish research and application programs in key strategic fields including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy, biotechnology, new materials, smart healthcare, and the circular economy.

Regarding infrastructure, Prof. Mai suggested that both sides could jointly develop national key laboratories and Triple Helix Innovation Hubs to share research facilities, data, and common infrastructure.

Such collaboration would also help attract investments from large enterprises and multinational corporations, while supporting the development of a highly skilled workforce in the city.

On the commercialization side, VNU-HCM hopes the city will continue to remove institutional barriers, establish regulatory sandboxes, speed up technology transfer, and support the introduction of research products to the market -- directly benefiting both citizens and businesses.

“Moreover, we expect Ho Chi Minh City to facilitate VNU-HCM’s deeper participation in key city projects, from smart city development and data infrastructure to the Net Zero 2050 program,” Prof. Mai added.