DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026: Connecting stakeholders, promoting practical application of technology in governance, production, business and social life

DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 will take place from October 30 to November 1 at the Dong Nai City Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center in Tan Trieu Ward, under the theme “Digital Transformation and Innovation: From Policy to Practice - Creating New Growth Drivers for Dong Nai City.”

Through high-level forums, specialized workshops, investment networking activities and technology exhibitions, DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 aims to establish a strategic, cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder dialogue platform. The event is expected to gradually position Dong Nai City as a gateway and a center for science and technology, innovation and digital transformation in the southeastern region, while expanding connections with international partners and resources.

Nguyen Minh Quang, Deputy Director in charge of the Dong Nai City Department of Science and Technology. Photo: Hai Quan.

Nguyen Minh Quang, Deputy Director in charge of the Dong Nai City Department of Science and Technology (DoST), shared insights into the DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 program with Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television.

New features and a range of key activities

* DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 will take place from October 30 to November 1. Could you outline the program’s main activities and most notable highlights?

As a major series of events focusing on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 is being organized to celebrate National Digital Transformation Day (October 1) and National Innovation Day (October 10). It also aims to translate Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation into concrete action, in line with local action plan for implementing the resolution across the city.

A rendering of the entrance gate, forum and exhibition space for DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026.

Among the program’s main activities and highlights will be DigiExpo, a large-scale exhibition featuring 200 booths showcasing core technologies, applied technology solutions, innovative products, startup products, products under the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) program, and interactive areas offering hands-on technology experiences.

Alongside the exhibition, a series of high-level forums and specialized workshops will focus on strategic pillars such as Long Thanh Airport City, logistics, the digital economy, the data economy, the semiconductor industry and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as digital transformation in tourism branding.

DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 will also feature cultural and networking activities, a Gala Dinner and the DigiNight 2026 artistic program, under the message “Smart City – Airport City.” In addition, the program will host the Dong Nai City Science and Technology Awards ceremony, investment matchmaking and the signing of cooperation agreements.

DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 is organized under the leadership and sponsorship of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), the Dong Nai City People’s Committee and the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations. The event is jointly organized by the National Digital Transformation Agency under the MoST, the Institute of Innovation and Digital Transformation under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, the Dong Nai City DoST and the Dong Nai City Youth Union.

* Compared with science and technology, innovation and digital transformation programs and festivals held in previous years, what new features will DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 offer?

This year’s program aims to address major development challenges facing Dong Nai City, unlock new growth pillars and promote the application of technology in governance, production, business operations and social life. Rather than stopping at sharing visions or showcasing technologies, the program places particular emphasis on connecting resources, developing initiatives that can be put into practice, receiving technology orders and promoting concrete commitments to practical solutions that support local socioeconomic development.

A rendering of the booths at the DigiExpo exhibition as part of the program.

The event is expected to attract a large number of experts and representatives from major global technology corporations, including Incheon Port, Qualcomm, AWS, Oxford Blockchain, Linklogis, TikTok and Meta.

The program is also directly linked to local strategic challenges, focusing on issues specific to Dong Nai, such as the airport city model, the low-altitude economy involving drones and flying taxis, and the data economy. These initiatives aim to move digital transformation “from policy to practice.” Notably, for the first time, the program will include sessions in which the city directly presents technology challenges and requirements for businesses and experts to address, as well as the signing of cooperation commitments between local enterprises and international investment funds.

Alongside the forums, specialized workshops, the exhibition showcasing technology solutions, digital transformation products and local OCOP products will be one of the main highlights of DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026. It is expected to feature more than 200 booths, with the participation of over 100 businesses from five countries and approximately 5,000 visitor arrivals.

* How are the DoST and relevant units progressing with preparations for DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026?

Regarding preparations, the DoST has proactively coordinated closely with the National Digital Transformation Agency under the MoST, the Institute of Innovation and Digital Transformation under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, the city’s People’s Committee, the Dong Nai City Youth Union and relevant departments and agencies, including the departments of Industry and Trade, Construction, and Culture, Sports and Tourism. The coordination aims to finalize the detailed program framework and assign specific tasks for each component.

Logistical arrangements and preparations are generally proceeding in line with the established schedule. These include designing and setting up 200 DigiExpo exhibition booths and arranging conference and workshop venues.

The venue dedicated to specialized workshops and award ceremony as part of DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 has largely been completed, getting ready for the event. Photo: Truc Lam.

Communications activities for DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 are also being implemented in a coordinated and diversified manner. The DoST has intensified a multi-channel communications campaign through major central and local media outlets, including Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television, official information portals, social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, and QR-code-based online registration. Communications efforts are also focusing on highlighting the key message, “Technology Gateway – Dong Nai Reaches New Heights,” while widely publicizing the workshop series, DigiExpo exhibition and DigiNight event to attract broad participation from businesses, research institutes, universities, young people and the public.

Creating new growth pillars based on science, technology and innovation

* The message of DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026 is “Technology Gateway – Dong Nai Reaches New Heights.” Through this program, what breakthrough directions and solutions is the science and technology sector pursuing to promote the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation in Dong Nai City in the near future?

Through the message “Technology Gateway – Dong Nai Reaches New Heights,” the science and technology sector is pursuing three main breakthrough directions.

The leader of the Dong Nai City Department of Science and Technology introduces functions integrated into the city’s Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) at an experience-sharing session on digital transformation models between leaders of Dong Nai City and Lao Cai Province in September 2026. Photo: Hai Quan.

First, the city aims to move from policy commitments to tangible results by changing its implementation approach. This will involve directly commissioning technology solutions to address practical challenges arising from local governance and production, bringing together experts and technology businesses to develop solutions.

Second, the city aims to create new growth pillars based on science, technology and innovation by maximizing the advantages offered by Long Thanh International Airport. Priorities include developing an airport city ecosystem, smart cities, highly connected logistics and seaport infrastructure, the semiconductor and AI industries, and the low-altitude economy.

Third, the city will accelerate coordinated digital transformation and develop the data economy. This involves expanding the application of digital solutions from the city level to communes and wards, building data infrastructure as the foundation for modern urban governance, and promoting data-driven innovation.

* One of this year’s important objectives is to increase the share of digital economy to Dong Nai’s economy. What solutions will the city prioritize to connect businesses, promote digital economy development models and attract investment in science and technology?

Dong Nai City aims to raise the digital economy’s share to 30% of its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) by 2030. To achieve this target, the city’s science and technology sector is focusing on four key groups of solutions. The first is to promote applied digital economy models, expand smart commerce and smart consumption, and help businesses establish a digital presence on major e-commerce and social media platforms such as TikTok.

The leader of the Department of Science and Technology visits and experiences digital technology products at an exhibition in Dong Nai in 2025. Photo: Hai Quan.

The department will also promote stronger connections within the business community. As part of DIGIFEST Dong Nai 2026, in particular, it will coordinate with relevant departments, agencies and organizations to organize investment matchmaking sessions linking local businesses with major technology corporations, including Becamex, VNPT and Nam A Bank, as well as international investment funds.

In addition, the city will step up efforts to attract investment in science, technology and innovation infrastructure. Resources will be focused on developing digital infrastructure for Long Thanh Digital Technology Park, Binh An Innovation Park, and the Science and Technology and Innovation Zone in Dong Xoai. The city will also seek to attract research and development (R&D) centers, data infrastructure, AI facilities and digital financial services. At the same time, the city will step up the application of advanced technologies to improve productivity, while encouraging businesses to accelerate the adoption of AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in supply chain management, industrial production and digital agriculture.

By Hai Quan - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha