Ho Chi Minh City, October 26, 2025 — On October 25–26, GGGI co-organized Open Innovation Day 2025 (OID 2025) in Ho Chi Minh City, an annual event series initiated by the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST).

Under the theme “Technological Breakthroughs – Promoting Green and Digital Transformation,” OID 2025 was chaired by Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director General of NATEC, MST. This year’s event was supported by the Ho Chi Minh City Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR HCMC) and co-organized by the Open Innovation and Technopreneur Institute (OITI), the Technology Incubation Center (TIC), and GGGI, with partnership from SoiHub, Saigontel, Qualcomm, Business Finland and Workflow.

Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director General of NATEC (MST). Photo: GGGI. 

“Viet Nam’s most valuable assets are its young people, creativity and resilience,” said Mr. Pham Hong Quat in his guiding remarks. “We must connect these assets with science, technology and industry to build a truly sustainable innovation ecosystem.”

Held in Ho Chi Minh City, OID 2025 featured eight in-depth discussions across science and technology policy, AI ecosystems, blockchain, data governance, cloud computing, renewable energy, advanced materials, and cross-border e-commerce. Insights from the discussions will inform policy recommendations at the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum (HEF) 2025, scheduled for November 24–30.

Mr. Juhern Kim, GGGI Country Representative to Viet Nam. Photo: GGGI 

Delivering a keynote speech in opening the event, Mr. Juhern Kim, Country Representative of GGGI to Viet Nam, emphasized: “Viet Nam is entering a new phase, evolving from a manufacturing hub into a technology-powered economy driven by science, innovation, and the rise of AI and digitalization. This national push must be firmly aligned with global climate ambition and the country’s net-zero transition, in line with the direction set by H.E. General Secretary To Lam.”

Panel discussion on Vietnam’s policies on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Photo: GGGI.  

Mr. Kim also spoke on the panel offering international perspectives on how to make the private sector a genuine partner in the green–digital transition in the innovative startup context. He underscored the public sector’s role in risk-sharing and cited Korea’s Tech Incubator Program for Startups (TIPS)—in which accredited accelerators invest first, followed by government-matched Research and Development (R&D) grants—as well as a fund-of-funds model where public capital crowds in private investment. This sequencing, he noted, keeps both sides accountable. He added that similar co-investment logic can work in Viet Nam, as public innovation financing ramps up.

Next Wave of Startups 2025 Final Round. Photo: OITI. 

Alongside the policy dialogue, the two-day event featured a Tech Showcase and targeted business discussions. A Demo Day, Next Wave of Startups 2025, recognized the Top 10 technology solutions selected from more than 150 teams. Among these, four offer scalable solutions aligned with green growth: Growlab, with tissue-cultured coconut seedlings and sustainable cultivation; Netzero Pallet, producing pallets from upcycled agricultural waste; Agritree, with agrivoltaic systems integrating solar and farming; and SunLeaf, with nature-based, chemical-free biological pesticide and fertilizer solutions. Key partners, including GGGI, were formally acknowledged by the government for their contribution to the event’s success.

GGGI, represented by Deputy Country Representative to Viet Nam Maria Cecilia Paña, with partners honored at the event. Photo: GGGI.   

This marks GGGI’s first joint activity with Viet Nam’s MST, via NATEC, since the GGGI Executive Director’s April meeting with the Minister of Science and Technology on the sidelines of the P4G Summit 2025.