Da Nang city emerges as global innovation start-up hub

Da Nang has rapidly expanded its ecosystem over recent years with a series of successes in new regional and global companies, helping establish the city as ‘Vietnam’s fastest-growing start-up ecosystem.

Da Nang Software Park No. 2 features a modern design tailored to information technology and innovation-driven enterprises. (Photo: VNA)
Da Nang Software Park No. 2 features a modern design tailored to information technology and innovation-driven enterprises. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang (VNS/VNA) – Da Nang is strongly committed to building a transparent investment environment with solid legal frameworks, creating the best possible conditions for venture capital funds, tech firms and start-up projects to do business in the central city.

That was the message delivered by Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ho Quang Buu at the three-day Da Nang Venture and Angel Summit (DAVAS) on May 26 – which featured 5,000 participants, including 30 venture capital funds and 62 start-up projects.

Buu said Da Nang has rapidly expanded its ecosystem over recent years with a series of successes in new regional and global companies, helping establish the city as ‘Vietnam’s fastest-growing start-up ecosystem’.

“It took us only two years to climb 342 places in the world’s Top 1,000 start-up ecosystems in StartupBlink’s 2024 global ranking," Buu said.

"Currently, Da Nang is ranked 554th in the world following efforts to establish the Free Trade Zone and launch the first Vietnam International Finance Centre in Da Nang (VNIFC-DN).

“Da Nang has been focusing on completing the VNIFC-DN and speeding up the development of regulatory sandboxes, AI, FinTech, Blockchain, semiconductors and the digital economy that allow local tech firms to test new models within a flexible legal framework.”

Buu added that the city will do all it can to support start-up projects and encourage local innovators to think big.

Pham Hong Quat, Director of the Agency for Innovation and Technology Enterprises under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that a strong start-up ecosystem needs not only loans from traditional banks, but also venture capital funds and financial support from international major international technology companies.

Quat said: “This year’s DAVAS has drawn 30 capital funds – including Quest Ventures, Do Ventures, ThinkZone Ventures, Antler, Daiwa Corporate Investment, MEXC Ventures and Lotte Ventures Vietnam, with total funding of 5 billion USD for 62 start-up innovation projects.

"It’s a positive promotion for Da Nang as the country wants to turn the city into a global technological innovation centre with huge investments from international hi-tech industries.

“The Government will set up clear mechanisms and legal bases for development of all innovative ideas and pilot projects. It will help to boost a ‘Deeptech hubs network’ and Da Nang will be one of the key elements.”

The city’s Department of Science and Technology reported that 189 start-up projects have been launched, with 83 businesses being formed, while three support centres, 12 incubators, eight co-working spaces, three makerspaces and dozens of university-based start-up clubs have emerged.

Many universities and research institutes expanded creative spaces, incubation centres and technology-transfer activities, and 32 start-up projects have been given a total fund of 6.1 billion VND (244,000 USD).

Nguyen Chuong, Vice Chairman of the city’s Young Business Association, said that Dat Bike, a Da Nang-based electric motorcycle manufacturer, is seen as one of the most successful clean mobility companies in Vietnam.

He said the 2019-founded company, with the goal of replacing gasoline-powered motorcycles in Vietnam, has been building its own effective mechanism and policies and has grown from nine electric bikes per month to 10,000.

The company had raised 22 million USD in a Series B funding round co-led by F.C.C., a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and Rebright Partners, with participation from venture funds and long-term strategic investors.

Chuong said: “Local battery-powered bike producers have launched 52 shops nationwide, and the number will increase to 100 by the end of 2026. It has achieved a localisation rate of 92% with domestic spare parts and accessories suppliers."

At the conference, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on cooperation and development were signed between the central city’s Innovation and Start-up Supporting Centre (DISSC) and the Global On-chain Economic Alliance, BambuSP and Russian partners.

The city also awarded a certificate to ThinkZone Ventures, the largest locally funded venture capital firm in Vietnam./.



VNA

See more

Loading and unloading steel products at Hoang Dieu–Chua Ve Port, Hai Phong city (Photo: VNA)

Hai Phong city seeks to boost inland waterway transport

According to the Hai Phong Maritime Administration, inland waterways carry coal, agricultural products, ores, stone, cement and other bulk cargoes, helping ease pressure on roads, particularly those connecting seaports and industrial parks.

Speakers at the conference (from left): AVPI Advisory Board Chair Dr Le Thu Huong, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird, and Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Thanh Tung. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Australia turn momentum into practical cooperation

Vietnam and Australia should focus on promoting two-way investment, expanding cooperation linked to APEC 2027 and making better use of people-to-people connections. Vietnam needs capital, skills, technology, infrastructure, and energy transition expertise - areas where Australia could offer valuable support.

The interface of the National E-Procurement System. (Photo: muasamcong.mpi.gov.vn)

Vietnam to move PPP bidding online from 2027

From January 1, 2027, PPP project proposals must be submitted through the National E-Procurement System. From September 1, 2027, investor selection for PPP projects tendered through open bidding will move fully online.

An automated robot-based production line at CAYI Technology Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Yen Phong II-C Industrial Park, Bac Ninh city (Photo: VNA)

EuroCham: Business Confidence Index in Vietnam remains high at 78.3 in Q3

The survey found that 64% of respondents described their current business conditions as good or very good, while 28% maintained a neutral or cautious outlook, reflecting a wait-and-see attitude as international demand remains flat and businesses look for policy momentum to translate into faster procedures and more predictable outcomes.

Workers manufacture handheld power tools at the Keystone Electrical Vietnam factory in Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park, Thai Thuy commune, Hung Yen province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks to turn FDI inflows into domestic value added

Vietnam is shifting its FDI attraction strategy from expanding investment volumes to prioritising capital inflows that brings technology, knowledge, modern management practices and stronger links with domestic businesses, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), chips and renewable energy.

At Yadea Vietnam’s smart manufacturing plant in Tan Hung Industrial Park, Bac Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ties FDI incentives to local supplier commitments

Incentives will increasingly hinge on investors’ performance and commitments, not just on landing projects. Key commitments include transferring technology to Vietnamese firms, training workers, providing technical support and opening FDI supply chains to domestic companies.

Green SM has launched all-electric taxi service in the US. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Green SM launches all-electric taxi service in US

The move brings Green SM into one of the world’s most dynamic and demanding markets. It also marks another step in the international expansion of the Vietnamese mobility brand, following its rapid growth across markets in Asia and Europe.

An overview of the meeting between IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam strengthens financial cooperation at IMF-World Bank annual meetings

The Vietnamese Governor underscored the complementary roles of global and regional financial cooperation mechanisms, including the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) and the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). He also highlighted the importance of technical assistance in fintech, digital transformation, cybersecurity and risk management.

Representatives of the organising committee at the opening ceremony of the fair (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Cambodia trade expo promotes bilateral economic cooperation

The Vietnam-Cambodia Business Networking and Product Promotion Exposition has become a key trade promotion event, creating business and investment opportunities while strengthening mutual understanding and trust between the two countries’ armies, people and enterprises.