Promoting startups and innovation

Innovation is one of the key resources enabling businesses to grow, restructure their business models, improve production efficiency, increase added value, and expand into new markets.

Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology Vo Hoang Khai visits the exhibition area showcasing new technology products at Techfest Dong Nai 2025. Photo: Hai Quan.

In recent years, Dong Nai Province has paid strong attention to and actively encouraged the development of the startup ecosystem and the innovation promotion.

Enhancing local identity in startup products

Entrepreneurship and innovation are being implemented through various models closely linked to the specific conditions, advantages, and development orientations of the localities. Many startup models associated with the development of specialty and flagship products also stem directly from local practical needs.

About four years ago, three young men namely Nguyen Thanh Hien, Nguyen Thanh Duy, and Nguyen Quoc Huy, decided to choose their hometown of Long Khanh as the place to launch their startup with the food delivery application iLoka Food.

Nguyen Thanh Duy, co-founder of iLoka Food, shared that the idea for the application originated from his own experience and that of local residents regarding the need for food ordering and delivery. At that time, Long Khanh lacked a well-structured food delivery app, and existing services had limited capacity. As a result, iLoka Food app was created. “iLoka” is an abbreviation of the English phrase I’m from Long Khanh, representing a strong positioning rooted in love for the hometown and a commitment to serving local residents’ needs to the fullest.

“This application aims for a smart combination of technology and regional agricultural strengths. This strategy not only expands business scale but also demonstrates social responsibility, turning iLoka into an effective tool for connecting the local economy,” Nguyen Thanh Duy emphasized.

In Dinh Quan Commune, the startup project “Tran Gia Stewed Bird’s Nest” by Pham Le Dieu Hang was among 30 projects selected for the final round of the 2025 Rural Youth Start-up Projects' contest organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee. The project not only demonstrates the energy and intellect of a young entrepreneur in developing the economy based on local key products, but also reflects the aspiration to bring high-quality products to consumers for healthcare purposes.

According to Dieu Hang, in 2018, her family began investing in building a bird’s nest house with the aim of selling raw edible bird’s nests. Recognizing the high demand for bird’s nest products, by 2022, after researching and learning production experience, the family boldly invested in facilities for preliminary processing bird’s nest under their personal brand Tran Gia Bird’s Nest. To date, the facility has launched more than 10 main bird’s nest products, including raw nests, stewed bird’s nest, bird’s nest porridge, and abalone bird’s nest soup.

In mid-December 2025, within the framework of Techfest Vietnam 2025, the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology signed cooperation agreements with the National Startup Support Center (NSSC) and the Institute of Innovation and Digital Transformation (University of Finance and Marketing) to support the development of the provincial startup and innovation ecosystem.

Tan Trieu pomelo is considered a specialty of Dong Nai Province. The Tan Trieu area currently has about 900 hectares of pomelo cultivation, including more than 400 hectares of “duong la cam” pomelo. In September 2025, the provincial People’s Committee issued Plan No. 112/KH-UBND on developing a community-based tourism model associated with agriculture. The plan aims to build Tan Trieu Cultural–Tourism Village into a typical community tourism model associated with direct participation of local residents to promote cultural, historical, and natural landscape values in Tan Trieu Ward.

In January 2026, the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology worked with representatives of the Design Thinking – Techfest Vietnam community, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Hutech), and leaders of the Tan Trieu Ward People’s Committee to listen, exchange views, and provide consultation on innovation activities supporting sustainable agricultural tourism development in Tan Trieu Pomelo Village in Tan Trieu ward.

Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology Vo Hoang Khai stated that, as the standing agency of the Provincial Innovation Startup Ecosystem Coordination Council, in the coming period, the Department of Science and Technology will accompany and support localities in strengthening connections with businesses and innovation consulting units to improve quality and sustainably develop agricultural and community tourism products.

Linking innovation with digital transformation

Dong Nai Province has introduced and synchronously implemented many strategic policies and solutions to build the innovation ecosystem. Innovation and digital transformation have permeated daily life, production, and business activities. Many enterprises are applying digital technologies and transforming their management practices. Moreover, the development of digital infrastructure systems, high-tech zones, and innovation centers will contribute to opening up major opportunities for smart logistics, Industry 4.0, e-commerce, and smart manufacturing.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tu Diep Cong Thanh, Director of the Center for Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer (IPTC), Vietnam National University–Ho Chi Minh City, noted that Dong Nai currently is home to many industrial parks and technology enterprises in operation, along with a large workforce. In addition, Dong Nai is among the leading provinces nationwide in developing OCOP (One Commune One Product) items, with around 490 OCOP products, many of which meet 4–5 star standards. These are foundations for promoting innovation, improving management efficiency, developing intellectual property assets, and realizing local socio-economic growth and development goals.

Tran Ngoc Thuong, founder and Director of Eco Polymers Co., Ltd. (located in Ho Nai Industrial Park, Ho Nai Ward), said that the company focuses on applying new technologies and upgrading production equipment to improve materials and meet the increasingly high demands of customers. In particular, the company emphasizes the implementation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices to help optimize production processes toward sustainability.

Deputy Director the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology Vo Hoang Khai emphasized that the innovation ecosystem has become a significant contributor to local economic growth. The synchronized implementation of solutions to promote innovation will help enhance the enterprises’ competitiveness, foster digital products, digital services as well as innovative business models, contributing to the province’s sustainable socio-economic development process.

By Hai Quan – Translated by Trieu Ngan, Thu Ha