Da Nang is building a “launchpad” of policies for innovative startups to foster future tech unicorns.
On the morning of July 30, Da Nang City inaugurated the Da Nang Startup and Innovation Festival – SURF 2025, with the theme “Policy Launchpad – Nurturing Unicorns.” This vibrant science and technology innovation event takes place from July 29 to 30 with numerous activities.
Da Nang – An Innovative City
Opening the festival, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee, Ho Quang Buu, emphasized that the city has been and continues to strongly promote the innovative startup ecosystem.
Ho Quang Buu, Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People’s Committee
According to Mr. Buu, SURF 2025 will feature nearly 20 strategic cooperation programs. A highlight is the collaboration between Da Nang and CT Group, aiming for breakthrough initiatives and advanced technology applications.
CT Group will bring multi-layered ground and near-space digitalization technology – a 15-layer Digital Twin-to Da Nang. They will also pilot a Carbon Credit trading market and cooperate on biotechnology, focusing on ginseng, medicinal herbs, and rare genetic resources.
Mr. Buu stated that Da Nang is implementing a two-tier local government model, striving to build a digital government, smart city, and develop high-tech parks, innovation centers, and the semiconductor industry.
The message “Da Nang – An Innovative City” serves as a commitment, guiding principle, and steadfast strategy for the city, in line with the spirit of Resolution 57/2024 of the Politburo.
Furthermore, in accordance with National Assembly Resolution 136/2024, Da Nang has synchronously issued and implemented over 20 policy mechanisms and development plans for a comprehensive and substantive innovative startup ecosystem
This has significantly spurred the continuous formation and growth of support organizations, incubators, venture capital funds, and angel investors.
Specifically, these include policy groups supporting innovative startup projects, tax exemptions and reductions, semiconductor development, and experimental application of new technologies. The city is also establishing the Da Nang Innovation Space and building research centers, technology incubators, and high-tech parks.
“SURF 2025 promises to be a venue for technology showcases, connecting knowledge, capital, policies, and investment opportunities, converging and linking innovative startup resources. This will ensure Da Nang remains vibrant, strongly spreading its grand aspirations, serving as a wellspring of ideas, and helping unicorns take flight,” Mr. Buu emphasized.
Signing Ceremony of Cooperation between Da Nang City and CT Group
Da Nang Set to Be a Model Innovation City
Expressing his desire to contribute to Da Nang, Tran Kim Chung, Chairman of CT Group, believes the city has the potential to become a leading innovation city not only in ASEAN but globally.
To support this assertion, Mr. Chung highlighted several key factors. He noted that Da Nang’s leadership possesses profound understanding and strategic vision concerning innovation, science and technology, and digital transformation. The city also benefits from an excellent institutional framework, underpinned by four pillars and over 30 policies designed to support innovative startups.
Furthermore, Da Nang stands out due to its unique cultural characteristics and the inherent qualities of its people, who are highly dynamic and creative. He also mentioned that the city has historically been a cradle for cultural exchange.
“This location is also a geopolitical crossroads along both the North-South and East-West axes. Da Nang City fully embodies all the elements of favorable timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony to genuinely become a model city for innovation,” Mr. Chung affirmed.
Speaking at the event, Hoang Minh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, emphasized that innovative entrepreneurship is no longer merely a trend; it has become an essential driving force for boosting national productivity, quality, and competitiveness. He asserted that it provides the solution for the nation’s rapid and sustainable development.
Hoang Minh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology
According to Mr. Minh, Da Nang has taken appropriate steps and achieved many positive results, strongly forming and developing an innovative startup ecosystem. This affirms its pioneering role in the innovative startup ecosystem in the Central – Central Highlands region and nationwide.
Da Nang City has issued and effectively implemented many specific policies; built technical infrastructure to serve startups, forming creative spaces and incubators in the High-Tech Park, Software Park 2, and more.
“It can be said that with the steps taken, the results achieved, and the city’s determination, Da Nang possesses significant advantages and capabilities to develop and promote innovative startup activities”, Mr. Minh stated.
