Creating a breakthrough for innovation and development

Dong Nai province, with its numerous industrial zones and technology enterprises employing a substantial workforce, possesses a strong foundation for the training and development of digital technology talent. These elements serve as critical drivers in fostering innovation, stimulating economic growth, and advancing the province’s socio-economic development objectives.

Innovation is anticipated to leverage the capabilities of science and technology to generate tangible value that contributes to socio-economic progress. In recent years, Dong Nai has placed significant emphasis on promoting innovation and enhancing its startup ecosystem.

Expanding the innovative enterprise network

Dong Nai is well-positioned to promote the development of an innovation ecosystem. The province focuses on building strategic infrastructure for the future in this field, such as the Innovation Hub in Long Thanh, a high-tech zone in Cam My, and a centralized information technology park near Long Thanh International Airport. These locations are expected to become ideal destinations for technology enterprises, logistics providers, and a vibrant market for tech products in Dong Nai.

In May 2025, leaders of the Department of Science and Technology, along with local scientists and lecturers, visited and studied operations at the CT Innovation Center under CT Group in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hai Quan

Vo Hoang Khai, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, stated: “Dong Nai currently has a young and dynamic workforce, along with a well-established 'triple helix' network comprising the government, businesses, and academic institutions. At the same time, the local policy environment and digital governance have seen significant improvements. Innovation-related plans and programs are being regularly updated, and the province’s rising position in the Digital Transformation Index (DTI) reflects the growing strength of its digital government and data infrastructure. These advancements create favorable conditions for the implementation of public services, the application of sandbox technology, an essential tool for enhancing cybersecurity, and the integration of enterprise data. These are crucial foundations for accelerating innovation activities in the province in the near future.”

"The Department of Science and Technology will follow the guidance of the Ministry of Science and Technology and review relevant resolutions issued by the Provincial People’s Council to propose revised mechanisms and policies that support innovation and startup activities. These efforts will be aligned with the spirit of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW and adapted to the practical conditions of the province."

Vo Hoang Khai, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai province

The innovation-driven business network in Dong Nai Province is becoming increasingly connected and expansive. According to the Department of Science and Technology, as of September 2025, the province is home to 88 innovative startup enterprises, 3 organizations with centers dedicated to innovation-related activities, one provincial-level advisory council for innovation and startup development, 4 entities with specialized departments or units focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, and 7 organizations hosting innovation and startup clubs. In addition, the province has achieved notable outcomes in commercializing and applying innovation, including 28 innovative products successfully brought to market, 5 patents and utility solutions registered with provincial affiliations, 553 applied scientific research papers related to innovation, and 67 officially recognized public sector initiatives. These figures reflect the growing momentum of the local innovation ecosystem and Dong Nai’s commitment to fostering a vibrant environment for science, technology, and entrepreneurial development.

Do Quang Trung, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Branch of the Vietnam Internet Center, remarked: “Dong Nai holds a strategically important geographical position as a gateway to the Southern Key Economic Region, making it well-placed for trade connectivity, e-commerce logistics, and regional integration. Several of the province’s key economic sectors, such as e-commerce, Industry 4.0, smart logistics, and high-tech agriculture, have strong potential for digital platform deployment and innovation-driven development. At the same time, the province’s community of manufacturing and export enterprises is becoming increasingly proactive and ready to adopt digital technology solutions, including applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Industrial Internet, to enhance productivity and operational efficiency.”

Developing the start - up and innovation ecosystem

To advance innovation and foster a dynamic startup ecosystem, the province has recently developed key action plans. The Provincial Party Committee issued Action Plan No. 469-KH/TU dated May 16, 2025, to implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation within the province.

Subsequently, the Provincial People’s Committee issued Plan No. 211/KH-UBND dated June 16, 2025, to implement Resolution No. 71/NQ-CP dated April 1, 2025, of the Government, in accordance with the Provincial Party Committee’s Action Plan No. 469-KH/TU.

An event showcasing digital technology products and innovations is held at a seminar on artificial intelligence (AI) applications, organized by the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai Province, in April 2025

According to Action Plan No. 469-KH/TU, by 2030, Dong Nai Province aims to develop an innovation ecosystem that includes at least 70 science and technology enterprises and 150 innovative startups. The plan also sets a target of establishing at least seven incubators and innovation centers, and of facilitating and supporting innovation activities at 40% of local enterprises.

Each year, the province strives to commercialize around 60 innovative products, provide budgetary support to 30 projects, and register 20 patents and utility solutions.

Vo Hoang Khai, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, noted that one of the key solutions and tasks to accelerate breakthroughs in science, technology, and innovation is to strengthen the linkage among the “three pillars”: the State, enterprises, and research institutes/universities. This open model relies on the network of universities, research institutes, and businesses within industrial parks, aiming to form pilot groups focused on AIoT, robotics, digital production transformation, advanced materials, and other fields, ultimately shortening the path from laboratory research to production lines.

The draft Political Report submitted to the 2025-2030 Dong Nai Provincial Party Congress clearly identifies science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as one of the Party Committee’s key priorities for the new term. It emphasizes accelerating administrative reforms and building a professional, modern, effective public administration that serves the people and businesses. This effort will be closely tied to the development of digital government, digital economy, and digital society, ensuring transparency and creating a favorable investment and business environment that enhances the province’s competitiveness.

To fulfill these goals, the province plans to promote comprehensive development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation across all sectors. This undertaking includes increasing investment in infrastructure to support scientific research as a foundation for high-tech industries such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and semiconductor chips. Dong Nai will also focus on enacting special policies to attract domestic and international experts and scientists to stimulate innovation and train high-quality human resources. Strong regional cooperation will be pursued to develop industries, agriculture, and services linked to domestic and global value chains.

Moreover, the province aims to boost e-commerce, develop payment infrastructure and logistics, and provide digital skills training, especially targeting rural communities and ethnic minorities. Efforts will also focus on creating digital data and promoting information sharing and connectivity in state management to enhance governance effectiveness. The province plans to complete sectoral and integrated data systems to serve management on electronic platforms.

At the Steering Committee meeting evaluating the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW in Dong Nai as of August 2025, Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, and Standing Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Development, emphasized the province’s ongoing focus on developing high-quality human resources and policies to attract talent and experts in these fields. He called on related departments and agencies to promptly propose support mechanisms for innovative startups and to strengthen collaboration between the State, enterprises, and research institutes/universities to promote the “triple helix” model. This approach aims to accelerate technology transfer, practical application of technologies, encourage enterprises to tackle significant provincial scientific and technological challenges, and build a strong innovation ecosystem.

By Hai Quan - Translated by Hong Van, Minho