Vietnam forum to advance human capital for a new era of innovation
Vietnam will host the National Innovation Startup Forum 2025 on November 28, bringing together policymakers, investors, founders and experts to discuss how developing high-quality human capital can drive innovation, strengthen the startup ecosystem and support Vietnam’s long-term growth ambitions.
THE HANOI TIMES — The National Innovation Startup Forum 2025 will take place on November 28 at the National Convention Center, where government officials, investors and startup leaders will engage in in-depth discussions on the theme “Developing Human Capital for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the New Era.”
Vietnam's tech start-up Kobiton. Photo courtesy of the company
The event will draw thousands of participants, including representatives of ministries and government agencies, foreign embassies in Vietnam, investors, startup founders, international organizations, experts and business leaders.
Speaking about this year’s theme, Dinh Xuan Dung, senior advisor to the National Startup Association, emphasized that human capital is the decisive factor for Vietnam as it enters a new development phase where people, knowledge and technology are the nation’s most valuable assets.
“When we have people with capability, aspiration and creativity, we can build enterprises that lead markets, compete globally and contribute to national development,” he said.
Through a diverse series of activities, the forum aims to expand support resources for startups, strengthen a technology-driven innovation ecosystem and build stronger connections among startups, established businesses, investors and policymakers.
The event will also host the National Aesthetic Industry Summit 2025.
Dinh Viet Hoa, Chairman of the National Startup Association, stressed the forum’s importance for entrepreneurs and Vietnam’s long-term sustainable growth.
“The world is entering a new era where knowledge, innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit determine a country’s global position,” he noted.
As the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital transformation reshape economic and social structures, countries must redesign their development models around innovative people and forward-thinking enterprises, Hoa added.
He noted that Vietnam stands at a historic moment with the opportunity to rise as a developed nation powered by its own intellect, resilience and ambition.
To turn this aspiration into reality, the country must build a strong generation of bold, visionary founders willing to dream big, take risks and act for the nation’s future, the chairman said.
“For Vietnam to move forward, we need courageous entrepreneurs, a dynamic startup ecosystem and high-quality human capital with global thinking,” Hoa said.
The forum will therefore focus on connecting, supporting and nurturing this new generation of founders, he said.
“Without entrepreneurs and business founders, there can be no major corporations. Every global giant today started from a founder’s vision,” he said.
A highlight of the forum will be the launch of the National Innovation Startup Network, coordinated by the association in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology and several provinces.
Last year, the fifth National Startup Forum, themed “Artificial Intelligence Technology and Cross-border E-commerce”, highlighted the role of university-based incubation and innovation centers and explored the Startup University model, offering stakeholders a key platform for sharing insights and expanding partnerships.
