Tired of ads? Enjoy an ad-free experience by signing up.
👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.
🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news here

Vietnam unveils innovation center to support startups

Hà Nội officially launched the Hanoi Innovation Centre (HIC) JSC on February 26 at the Hà Nội People’s Committee headquarters.

The center aims to link data, resources, policy, technology, and culture to tackle urban challenges and boost the digital economy.

HIC’s chairman, Dr. Trần Quang Hưng, said it offers Hà Nội an opportunity for controlled experimentation with new technologies and business models, leveraging its young population and large domestic market.

The center is a joint investment by CMC Technology Group, Hà Nội, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

HIC’s strategy focuses on attracting the global innovation community, including overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs, fostering domestic creative industries, and supporting startups through a detailed four-stage incubation process using AI and legal sandbox frameworks.

It has proposed developing shared data infrastructure, capital mobilisation mechanisms, legal sandbox frameworks, and a unified digital platform.

This initiative aligns with Hà Nội’s smart city goals and Vietnam’s cultural industry strategy targeting 7% of GDP by 2030 and 9% by 2045.

🔗 Source: Vietnam News

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

The innovation center ties into Hanoi’s data and regulatory agenda

  • The Hanoi Innovation Centre (HIC) JSC fits into Hà Nội’s plan to carry out the Politburo’s Resolution 57, which treats science, tech, innovation, plus digital transformation as drivers of development 1.
  • The center prioritizes legal sandbox frameworks, a policy tool that lets startups test new technologies or business models inside controlled settings 2.
  • The plan sets a 2030 target where science, technology, plus innovation-driven sectors make up over 40% of the city’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) 1.

Hanoi’s model is a global pitch facing local hurdles

  • HIC’s chairman casts Hà Nội as a hub for “controlled experimentation,” inviting firms to trial emerging technologies or fresh business models 2.
  • The public-private-academic partnership links CMC Technology Group with Hà Nội plus Hanoi University of Science and Technology and frames it as a three-party cooperation model for tech development 2.
  • Progress depends on shifting Hà Nội officials from traditional oversight to real-time, data-driven decision-making 3.
  • Without upskilling officials or changing entrenched bureaucratic habits, even advanced systems HIC plans to build could stall 3.

Stay ahead in Asia’s tech landscape

You've reached your 2 free content limit for the month. Sign up for free to read the full story.

🏄 For casual readers / 👶 Free

Basic

US$0

Free forever

Get instant access to this article and more every month

0 premium content

Unlimited news briefs

5

5 articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0 per day

⌛Sign up in 20s. No payment details needed.

📖 For learners / 👍 Starter

Lite

US$4.92/month

Billed annually at US$59/year

Get instant access to this article and more every month

4

4 premium content

Unlimited news briefs & articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0.17 per day

Cancel anytime

Our subscriber community includes professionals from these companies:

Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.

Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.