Initial results
Currently, Can Tho City has 21 science and technology enterprises with more than 100 commercialised technology products, bringing economic benefits to businesses and the community, focusing on the fields of information technology, biotechnology, new materials, etc. These products have initially made a significant contribution to the local economic development.
In the field of biotechnology, Phu Sa Gernomics Joint Stock Company is a pioneer with many breakthroughs in gene technology, especially PCR (molecular biology) technology in Viet Nam.
The company’s products are developed based on the synthesis of short gene segments and gene sequencing to produce diagnostic kits for shrimp and fish diseases; and the production of electrophoresis chemicals, chemicals used in PCR machines, and chemicals for DNA/RNA extraction.
In addition, the company also manufactured PCR machines, centrifuges, electrophoresis machines, etc., to support gene technology research and develop products for practical applications. The company’s products are widely used in high-tech shrimp farming and exported to markets in the US, Europe, Thailand, etc.
Currently, Can Tho City has 21 science and technology enterprises with more than 100 commercialised technology products, bringing economic benefits to businesses and the community, focusing on information technology, biotechnology, new materials, etc. These products have initially made a significant contribution to the local economic development.
In the field of information technology, the KaFood software of Katec Technology Joint Stock Company (Can Tho City) is widely used in managing nutrition for meals in boarding schools nationwide.
After two years of commercialisation, more than 200 units, including kindergartens, daycare centres, and school kitchens, are using this application, with over 100 schools in Ha Noi and some northern provinces.
KaFood software automates the calculation of meal portions according to age and class group, following regulations and recommendations on nutrition for preschool children; monitors children’s height, weight, and growth charts; supports food list creation, ingredient quantification according to menus, supports three-step food inspection and food sample storage, and automatically calculates meal costs and tuition fees… This software helps schools manage meals and nutrition easily, efficiently, transparently, and ensures food safety for preschool children.
Along with science and technology, Can Tho’s startup and innovation ecosystem is developing quite strongly, with 68 innovative startups and 190 startup projects.
The infrastructure supporting startups is gradually being improved through partnerships with 6 domestic and foreign investment funds, forming five regional and local startup ecosystem networks, six startup support spaces, and co-working spaces.
The financial and venture capital market for innovative startups is gradually taking shape, with 30 memoranda of cooperation signed and eight successful investment deals implemented, totaling 39.5 billion VND.
The rate of technological and equipment innovation in Can Tho City is projected to reach over 14% by 2025; the proportion of high-tech products is also expected to exceed 33%, an increase of nearly 3% compared to five years ago.
However, the development of science and technology and innovation in Can Tho City still faces many difficulties and obstacles. According to Dr. Ngo Anh Tin, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, although state budget allocation for science and technology is receiving attention, the scale of investment remains modest and insufficient to create research projects with significant transformative impact.
Furthermore, the technical infrastructure for science and technology development is still not synchronised. Although the city is home to major universities and research institutes such as Can Tho University, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute, the system of key laboratories meeting national and international standards is still lacking. The scientific and technological workforce is limited, lacking skilled and leading experts.
The link between the State, scientists, and businesses is still weak, so many research projects by institutes and universities remain heavily theoretical and do not closely follow the practical needs of life and businesses…
Towards becoming a regional science and technology centre
Can Tho City has identified science and technology and innovation as one of the new drivers of growth. To achieve this goal, Can Tho City is implementing many comprehensive strategic solutions, aiming to become the science and technology center of the region
Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Trung Tinh, Rector of Can Tho University, recommended that the city invest in building key laboratories specialising in agricultural biotechnology, deep processing technology, and climate change adaptation. These laboratories would allow research institutes, universities, and businesses to jointly utilise them to maximise investment efficiency.
Can Tho University is ready to support and cooperate in training science and technology human resources for the city and businesses. In addition, the city needs to issue superior incentive policies (regarding housing, income, and research environment) attractive enough to attract overseas experts and leading scientists to contribute.
The city needs to invest in building key laboratories specialising in agricultural biotechnology, deep processing technology, and climate change adaptation. These laboratories allow research institutes, universities, and businesses to jointly utilise them to maximise investment efficiency. Can Tho University is ready to support and cooperate in training scientific and technological human resources for the city and businesses. In addition, the city needs to issue superior incentive policies (regarding housing, income, and research environment) that are attractive enough to attract overseas Vietnamese experts and leading scientists to contribute.
Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Trung Tinh, Rector of Can Tho University
From a business perspective, Mr. Ngo Quoc Nam, Director of Phu Sa Gernomics Joint Stock Company, suggested that besides preferential capital support, businesses urgently need support from city departments and agencies in administrative procedures for production and business, especially procedures for registering inventions, patents, and intellectual property.
The city should soon implement strong tax exemption and reduction policies for businesses that allocate funds for science and technology development or invest in innovation and digital transformation projects to encourage private investment in this field.
The city should establish a regional technology exchange platform, both digitally and in person, to facilitate businesses in easily finding and transferring suitable technologies.
Chairman of the Can Tho City People’s Committee, Truong Canh Tuyen, stated that in the past, the budget for science and technology and digital transformation has been limited, accounting for only about 1% of the national budget, thus failing to meet development requirements. In implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in national science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, Can Tho is increasing investment in this field through various preferential mechanisms and policies.
By the end of 2025, Can Tho City established a Science and Technology Development Fund with a capital of 200 billion VND to support businesses and organisations investing in this field.
Following this, in May 2026, the Can Tho City People’s Council also issued a Resolution on providing local budget support for key digital technology product manufacturing projects, semiconductor chip research and production projects, and artificial intelligence data center construction projects… with a maximum support amount of 200 billion VND.
Can Tho expects this to be a breakthrough policy to promote rapid science and technology development, creating new growth drivers for the city. The city is also focusing resources on accelerating the completion of the Concentrated Information Technology Park and the Mekong Delta Regional Startup and Innovation Centre in Can Tho to support businesses.
