UpYouth working to bring Silicon Valley startup culture to Vietnam
UpYouth - the first startup incubator in Vietnam - is intended to bring the Silicon Valley startup culture to the Southeast Asian nation.
Illustrative image (Source: vneconomy.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – UpYouth - the first startupincubator in Vietnam - is intended to bring the Silicon Valley startup cultureto the Southeast Asian nation.
The incubator, whose members are studying andworking at leading universities and groups from across the world, targets youngentrepreneurs.
It offers connectivity, consultation,training and market research opportunities, along with other kinds of assistance, to Vietnamesepeople aged from 18 to 25 who want to embark on tech startup.
Since its inception more than one year ago, the2,000-strong incubator has helped firms lure up to 2.5 million USD.
Vietnam is becoming a magnet in Southeast Asia forattracting investment in start-ups, driven by a convergence of a young consumerand workforce base with increasing demands for digital technology in thepost-pandemic period.
According to Vu Quoc Huy, Director of the NationalInnovation Centre (NIC), Vietnam saw a robust development of start-up firmslast year and was on track to become the next growth driver of Southeast Asiaand play a vital role in the region’s start-up golden triangle.
He cited statistics that investment into start-upshit a record high of 1.4 billion USD in 2021 despite the impacts of theCOVID-19 with strict social distancing measures in place, breaking the previousrecord of 874 million USD in 2019.
The number of new businesses set up in the firstfour months of this year increased by 12.3 percent over the same period lastyear, which, together with positive growth momentum in foreign investment inflow,demonstrated the country’s large potential for the development of the start-upecosystem, he said.
He expects investment in start-ups to doublein the next three years./.
VNA
Related News
A record of over 1.3 billion USD was poured into Vietnamese startups in 2021 despite the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping the country rank third in the group of the most dynamic innovative startup ecosystems in Southeast Asia, only after Indonesia and Singapore, statistics show.
The Vietnamese startup community has made breakthroughs despite difficulties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic as a record high of more than 1.3 billion USD in venture capital was pumped into startups last year.
Golden Gate Ventures on May 30 signed a cooperation agreement with the National Innovation Centre (NIC), aiming at strengthening long-term relationship, and supporting the development of the startup and innovation ecosystem in Vietnam.
The incentives are also expected to attract and retain scientists and technology experts while providing enterprises with additional resources to enhance competitiveness in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, software and biotechnology.
Vietnam’s cybersecurity landscape has witnessed a notable shift in recent years. While the number of cyberattacks recorded in 2025 showed signs of decline, the proportion of organisations suffering actual damage rose to 52.3%. Cyberattacks increasingly target critical sectors, including banking, finance, energy, telecommunications, and government agencies.
Vietnam is among the fastest-growing countries within the group ranked between 21st and 50th globally in StartupBlink’s 2026 report. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hai Phong are now listed among the world’s top 1,000 startup ecosystems.
The country also aims to support at least 500,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in digital transformation, develop a minimum of five digital technology companies capable of competing with counterparts in advanced economies, and establish at least five operational data exchanges.
Highly valuing Bulgaria's extensive experience in operating the Kozloduy nuclear power plant and training specialised personnel, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet proposed boosting bilateral cooperation in specialist training, scientific research, and the sharing of management, operational, and nuclear safety expertise.
Dot Inc. is working with Google and an AI education partner in Vietnam to explore the deployment of assistive technologies in schools and educational institutions.
In addition to the exhibition activities, Agri & Biotech Vietnam 2026, lasting until June 12, is set to host a series of specialised forums and seminars. Topics of particular interest to businesses include farming exports, sustainable development of the pepper and spice industries, low-emission agriculture, carbon credits, the circular economy, biotechnology and innovative start-ups.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Iran Nguyen Luong Ngoc said greater understanding of each side’s strengths and potential, particularly in AI and information technology, will provide a solid foundation for expanding future cooperation.
Vietnam is pursuing a focused approach to quantum technology, rather than trying to compete head-to-head with leading technology powers across the full spectrum of quantum research.
According to the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA), cyberattacks are rising in both frequency and severity. Attackers are targeting critical infrastructure, personal data, and public services with increasingly advanced methods. This isn't just a technical glitch, but a systemic vulnerability requiring a workforce that can analyse and respond in real time.
Vietnam has identified that strategic technologies with strong spillover effects are key areas for investment and development. These technologies help enhance self-reliance, create national competitive advantages, ensure national defence and security, and promote sustainable socio-economic development
Vietnam possesses significant advantages and strong potential to emerge as a global centre for artificial intelligence (AI), according to billionaire Eric Schmidt, former Chairman and CEO of Google and former Chairman of the US National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI).
The event paired a robotics showcase with an innovation networking session, spotlighting Vietnamese companies’ research, development and technological mastery in robotics, automation and artificial intelligence.
The competition offered Vietnamese students a valuable opportunity to affirm the country’s position on the global technology stage.
Vietnam and Estonia share similar approaches to digital citizenship development, placing citizens at the centre of digital transformation and using electronic identity systems and resident databases as foundations for online public services and digital transactions.
Representing Vietnam were VinRobotics and VinDynamics, two tech subsidiaries of Vingroup. They showcased "Make in Vietnam" humanoid robots, demonstrating the country’s growing capacity to integrate into the global robotics value chain.
Quantum computers are closer than ever. The year 2026 has been internationally designated the "Year of Quantum Security" -- and the window to prepare is closing fast.
Deputy PM Ho Quoc Dung pressed ministries and agencies to rapidly convert their assigned tasks into concrete action plans with clearly defined responsibilities, and effectively launch projects that create strategic technology products capable of sharpening national competitiveness.
The portal will provide technological solutions and data infrastructure, while the service centre will facilitate system integration.
Illustrative image (Source: vneconomy.vn)