Creating favorable conditions for science and technology enterprises to thrive

Automation and digital transformation are becoming powerful catalysts for businesses in Dong Nai, enabling them to increase revenue, expand markets and strengthen competitiveness. As the city seeks to transform its growth model, developing science and technology (S&T) enterprises has emerged as a strategic priority.

Automation and digital transformation have helped Dai Hoang Kim Automation Machinery Production Joint Stock Company save 50% on personnel.

To support this transition, local authorities have introduced a range of policies and incentives to remove barriers and encourage manufacturers to adopt advanced technologies and pursue sustainable development.

Technology adoption drives business growth

Dai Hoang Kim Automation Machinery Production Joint Stock Company, based in Binh Tan Commune, is among the few Vietnamese enterprises capable of independently designing, manufacturing and supplying automated cashew processing systems. To obtain S&T enterprise certification, the company digitized its production and operating processes, enabling it to provide nearly fully automated mechanical equipment and engineering solutions for cashew processors nationwide. Its flagship innovation is an automated hard-shell cashew cracking system capable of processing 1-1.2 tonnes of raw cashew nuts per hour. The system reduces labor requirements from about 100 workers to only a handful while lowering production costs to one-tenth of those associated with traditional manual processing.

Vu Van Binh, Technical Director of Dai Hoang Kim, said digital transformation throughout the production process has significantly reduced operating costs. "Previously, one production shift required 50 workers. Today, only two operators are needed while maintaining the same level of output," he said.

Since obtaining a utility solution patent for its cashew processing system in 2019, Dai Hoang Kim has continued to invest in automated production technology, while expanding the scale of its factory with capital of up to hundreds of billions of VND. At the same time, it is researching and developing advanced, proprietary technology products to serve the cashew processing industry in Dong Nai and across Vietnam.

According to Deputy General Director Van Viet Duc, automation and digital transformation helped the company generate revenue of VND150 billion (approximately USD5.7 million) in 2025. "The company will continue leveraging its strengths in mechanical engineering by focusing on research, design and manufacturing of new machinery that meets the evolving needs of the cashew industry in Dong Nai and across the country," he said.

At KINOKO Long Khanh Import-Export Co., Ltd., robotic arms now perform most manual tasks, including bottling, inoculation and surface treatment. Whereas about 10 workers were previously needed to produce around 20,000 mushroom bottles each morning, today only two operators are required to run the automated production system.

Nguyen Dieu Linh, the company's Business Director, said the mushroom production facility includes dedicated areas for inoculation, incubation, packaging and harvesting, with temperature settings tailored to different mushroom varieties. "Robots and automated machinery have replaced much of the manual labor throughout the production process. High-tech automation enables us to produce mushrooms with consistent quality while reducing labor costs at a time when skilled workers are increasingly difficult to recruit," she said.

In the cashew processing sector, Gia Bao Corporation Joint Stock Company, headquartered in Binh Phuoc Ward, has identified digital transformation as a strategic pillar to boost productivity and create added value. To meet the demands of the digital economy, the company has invested heavily in modern equipment, replacing traditional roasting methods with deep-processing technology, oil-free roasting techniques, and a diversified portfolio of nutritious food products, all integrated into an integrated production system. At the same time, it is developing a young workforce proficient in digital technologies and artificial intelligence to operate production systems and promote products on digital platforms.

Tran Van Son, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gia Bao Corporation Joint Stock Company, said the company's cashew products are now available in several overseas markets and in supermarket chains throughout Vietnam. "We recently invested USD6.5 million to build the Ba Tu Binh Phuoc Agricultural and Food Processing Factory. Our goal is to establish Dong Nai as a producer of premium specialty cashew products. Mastering technology, achieving production self-sufficiency and developing a sustainable farm-factory-food ecosystem form the core of our long-term strategy," he said.

Gia Bao Corporation Joint Stock Company builds the farm - factory - food production process based on technological innovation.

Practical and timely support policies are essential

The experiences of these businesses demonstrate that science, technology and digital transformation are becoming new engines of economic growth. Not only large corporations but also small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and innovative start-ups increasingly regard digital transformation as a key driver of future development.

Dong Nai has stepped up efforts to connect businesses with research institutes, universities and scientific organizations to facilitate research collaboration, technology transfer and product development. The city has also introduced various support mechanisms to help manufacturers overcome obstacles and transition toward high-tech, sustainable production.

However, many SMEs still struggle to access government support programs. Nguyen Thi Bich Chi, owner of Viet Trung Bird’s Nest facility in Binh Phuoc Ward, said government policies should become more practical, accessible and better tailored to the needs of individual businesses. "In particular, enterprises need stronger support for digital transformation and market connectivity so their products can reach wider markets. That would encourage businesses to invest more confidently in research, technology transfer and the application of science and technology," she said.

“Removing barriers facing S&T enterprises is essential to strengthening the innovation ecosystem. The department is implementing various policies to encourage more businesses to obtain S&T enterprise certification. Certified enterprises will be eligible for additional incentives, including preferential access to land, tax incentives and financial support for their operations.”

Nguyen Thanh Phong, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology

Tran Van Son noted that while support policies have been introduced at both the central and local levels, many SMEs have yet to benefit from them. "As market competition intensifies and customers demand higher standards of quality and efficiency, manufacturers have no choice but to adopt advanced technologies. In addition to their own resources, businesses need stronger policy support and closer cooperation from government agencies," he said.

As Dong Nai seeks to modernize its economic growth model and enhance competitiveness, developing S&T enterprises has become an essential priority. Such enterprises are expected to play a pivotal role in building the city’s innovation ecosystem and driving rapid, sustainable socio-economic development during the 2026-2030 period. Currently, Dong Nai has only 17 certified science and technology enterprises, far below the city's technological potential and the growing demand for innovation across its manufacturing sector. By 2030, the city aims to increase that number to more than 70 S&T enterprises.

By Ngan Ha – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho