From Scattered Sparks to Shared Momentum
Years ago, Vietnam’s tech scene was defined by isolated success stories — a promising startup here, a university project there. Today, the picture is very different. The conversation has shifted from individual achievement to collective capacity: How do we build something that lasts?
This question sits at the heart of efforts to grow a thriving tech ecosystem — not just in Vietnam, but in emerging innovation hubs around the world.
How Tech Ecosystems Grow
Contrary to popular belief, vibrant tech ecosystems don’t emerge on their own. They’re the result of deliberate design: enabling policies, access to capital, entrepreneurial culture, skilled talent, and platforms that help ideas move from lab to market.
In Vietnam, progress has come through a mix of top-down and bottom-up momentum. Government support, regional tech hubs, startup competitions, digital infrastructure upgrades — all these elements have laid the groundwork. But the next stage requires deeper alignment: across public agencies, research institutions, startups, investors, and international partners.
The Five Building Blocks of a Resilient Tech Ecosystem
- Visionary Policy: Clear, long-term strategies that create stability and incentives for innovation. Think digital public infrastructure, IP reform, or green tech roadmaps.
- Data and Insight: Tools that map players, gaps, and growth — allowing smarter investment and coordination. ISTIS, for example, is building this evidence base.
- Talent Pipelines: From background education to founder support, ecosystems thrive when talent is nurtured at every stage — not just at the top.
- Open Collaboration: Platforms for cross-sector dialogue are essential. So is trust. Innovation grows when people build together, not compete in silos.
- Global Connectivity: No local system is complete without global exposure — from co-innovation with international firms to participation in global regulatory conversations.
Vietnam’s tech ecosystem is maturing fast. The challenge now is to ensure the parts connect — and that progress in one region contributes to national momentum.
