After years of focused investment, Ho Chi Minh City has a great potential to position itself as a hub for financial technology (Fintech), innovative startups, digital logistics, data centres, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the ASEAN region.
STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
To learn from global experiences and access cutting-edge science and technology, the city has been continuously enhancing cooperation with countries and major technology corporations around the world. In mid-June, the city signed a memorandum of understanding with the US-based Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) to foster collaboration in developing a high-tech and AI ecosystem.
Under the agreement, AMD will promote investment in research and development (R&D), support the development of a technological ecosystem, train high-tech human resources, and initiate digital transformation programmes for the city. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Ho Chi Minh City’s journey to develop high-tech infrastructure and talent. It is a meaningful step toward positioning the city as a leading hub for electronics, semiconductors, and AI in Southeast Asia. The agreement also opens up new opportunities for investment, talent development, and technological advancement, helping to build a robust high-tech ecosystem and attract global tech corporations.
Senior Vice President for Global AI Markets at AMD Keith Strier stated that the group is honoured to partner with Ho Chi Minh City to accelerate its digital transformation. As a leader in high-performance and adaptive computing, AMD’s products and services are helping to solve some of the world’s most important challenges.
Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Centre also signed a cooperation agreement with the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City to promote digital transformation. The two parties will prioritise cooperation in digital transformation; smart city technologies, finance, emerging tech (AI, robotics and automation, nanotechnology, cybersecurity); and healthcare (healthtech). According to Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, the city is focusing on developing digital infrastructure, nurturing new core industries such as design and manufacturing of components, electronic chips, new materials, clean and renewable energy, and accelerating digital transformation and the application of the Fourth Industrial Revolution advances. Viet Nam in general-Ho Chi Minh City in particular is ready to welcome waves of high-tech investment and expertise, becoming a crucial link in the global supply chain of knowledge-intensive and high-value industries.
BUILDING A DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ECOSYSTEM
With the goal of becoming a digital economy and innovation hub for both Viet Nam and Asia, the city has rolled out various breakthrough initiatives and policies to attract investment, develop digital infrastructure, and enhance competitiveness. According to StartupBlink (the Global Startup Ecosystem Mapping and Research Centre), Ho Chi Minh City rose one place in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index to rank 110th in the world, which is its highest position ever. For the first time, the city also entered the top five startup ecosystems in Southeast Asia.
According to the experts, the city has great favourable factors, including a strong network of universities and research institutes, a young and dynamic workforce, rapidly improving technological infrastructure, and a diverse business ecosystem. Moreover, the city benefits from special mechanisms and policies from the central government, which enable it to pilot new development models in the digital economy.
Dr Pham Thi Ngoc Dung from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City noted that in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution reshaping global economic structures, the digital economy has emerged as a new growth model, gradually replacing resource- and labour-intensive traditional industries. To drive digital transformation, a strategic approach is to integrate the development of the digital economy into the city’s new “growth poles” such as the high-tech park and the eastern creative urban area.
These areas are well-positioned to become new technology hubs, with high concentrations of tech companies, R&D centres, startups, and smart logistics systems. The development of such technology clusters, aligned with smart urban planning and innovation, will help the city enhance its competitiveness and serve as a technological catalyst for surrounding areas.
To establish itself as a multi-sectoral digital economy hub within ASEAN, the city must rapidly and extensively upgrade its digital infrastructure, make long-term strategic investments in digital human resources, and build a sustainable innovation and startup ecosystem. With strong potential, a youthful and dynamic population, a rich academic environment, and high political commitment, Ho Chi Minh City possesses all the necessary conditions to become a leading digital economy centre in the region.
