How Da Nang is building world-class innovation ecosystem

Da Nang is accelerating efforts to position itself as an international center for innovation and entrepreneurship, as the city’s startup ecosystem expands in scale and capability during the 2022 – 2025 period. Da Nang leaders visit the exhibition booth at the conference on November 26. Photo: TRAN TRUC Under the national directive to develop “Da Nang – A City of Innovation,” local authorities, universities, research institutes, support organizations and the startup community are working together to build a modern, globally connected innovation landscape. The city’s ecosystem now includes nearly all essential components. For the time being, Da Nang houses three innovation and startup support centers, 12 incubators, three makerspaces, eight co-working spaces, six startup investment funds, 10 university-based startup clubs and more than 20 higher education institutions actively engaged in innovation. An estimated 200 innovative startups are currently operating in the city. Each year, around 50 events and investment activities take place, reinforcing Da Nang’s strong linkages with both national and international innovation networks. To expand international reach, Da Nang has established a series of cross-border innovation spaces, including partnerships with Seoul, Singapore and China’s Greater Bay Area. These hubs provide local startups with greater access to global markets, technologies and investors. Signing activities at the Da Nang Innovative Startup Festival 2025. Photo: The Da Nang Department of Science and Technology A major boost to the ecosystem comes from seven preferential policies introduced under Resolution 136/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly. These include tax exemptions for innovative enterprises, regulated sandbox mechanisms for testing emerging technologies, infrastructure support for AI and semiconductor firms, and programs aimed at cultivating high-quality human resources. Together, these incentives are attracting a growing number of deep-tech companies to establish and expand their operations in Da Nang. Direct support for startups has also delivered tangible results. The city has provided funding to 32 businesses worth more than VND 6.1 billion, while its incubation and acceleration programs have nurtured 189 startup projects and helped establish 83 new companies. Several local startups, including Selly, Hekate, EM&AI and VOOC, have since achieved rapid growth and secured notable investment rounds. In the time ahead, Da Nang has identified five priority areas: improving regulatory mechanisms; investing in innovation infrastructure, including AI and semiconductor labs; supporting high-tech enterprises; strengthening global cooperation with centers in Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo and Shenzhen; and developing advanced human resources through specialized training and STEM education. Da Nang’s progress is increasingly recognized. The city has won the ‘Attractive City for Innovation and Startups’ award from VINASA for four consecutive years and is regarded by the Ministry of Science and Technology as a leading contributor to Vietnam’s national innovation ecosystem. The city also entered StartupBlink’s Top 1,000 global startup ecosystems in 2024 and rose 130 places in 2025 to rank 766th, earning recognition as Vietnam’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem. en.baodanang.vn TỔNG ĐÀI DỊCH VỤ CÔNG: (0236) 1022 hoặc *1022, miễn phí phục vụ   1. Đường dây nóng tiếp nhận ý kiến phản ánh, góp ý của tổ chức, công dân và chuyển đến cơ quan chức năng xử lý 2. Hướng dẫn, giải đáp quy định, chính sách, thông tin kinh tế – xã hội 3. Hướng dẫn thực hiện thủ tục hành chính, dịch vụ công trực tuyến 4. Cung cấp thông tin phòng chống thiên tai, bão lũ 5. Cung cấp dịch vụ Tổng đài CSKH, nhắn tin CSKH, truyền thông, sự kiện và các dịch vụ tư vấn khác…