14 million USD worth of investment pledged in Techfest 2020
The Techfest Vietnam 2020, which wrapped up on November 29, saw over 120 connections and about 14 million USD worth of investment committed for innovative and startup projects.
The Techfest Vietnam 2020 wraps up on November 29. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Techfest Vietnam 2020, whichwrapped up on November 29, saw over 120 connections and about 14 million USD worthof investment committed for innovative and startup projects.
This year’s three-day Techfest featured about 40 events, such asconferences, seminars, forums and exhibitions, which attracted a total of 6,500participants. All of its live-streamed events had at least 35,000 viewerstuning in.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony, Deputy Minister ofScience and Technology Tran Van Tung said, despite adverse impacts of theCOVID-19 pandemic, Vietnamese young generations have been ceaselessly working creatively andovercoming hardships to make breakthroughs.
The event reflects the development of Vietnam’s innovativeand startup ecosystems which have step by step kept up with the global stage,Tung said, adding that he wants to welcome more foreign investors, experts andinternational organizations to participate, share experience and seekpartnerships at the next year’s event.
Themed ‘Respond – Transform – Breakthrough,” the event wasstructured into 12 technology villages: Medical Technology, AgriculturalTechnology, Educational Technology, Tourism and F&B Technology, FrontierTechnology, Financial Technology, Smart Cities, Social Impact, StudentStart-ups, Local Start-ups, Community and International village.
It gathered close to 300 enterprises and startupaccelerators who exhibited a wide range of innovative ideas and products, manyof which have been developed by students from domestic vocational trainingcentres./.
The start-up festival Techfest Mekong 2020 opened in the Ben Tre city of the Mekong Delta province of the same name on November 21, with over 120 exhibitors taking part.
The largest events of the year regarding startups and innovation in HCM City are set to run from November 23 to 28, the municipal Department of Science and Technology said on November 23.
It is necessary to create the best environment for innovative startups and startup ecosystem, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a dialogue with investors, experts and entrepreneurs in Hanoi on November 27.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
The Techfest Vietnam 2020 wraps up on November 29. (Photo: VNA)
