This information was shared by Dang Thi Luan, acting director of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Creative Startups (SIHUB) under the Department of Science and Technology, at a program connecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the southern region on 27/8.
Specifically, the city is implementing several special mechanisms to promote innovation and attract talent. One highlight is the personal and corporate income tax exemption policy for organizations and individuals participating in innovative startups in prioritized development sectors. Startups will self-determine the conditions and criteria for declaration and settlement with tax authorities.
In addition, the city is implementing a non-refundable support policy for innovative startup projects in three phases: pre-incubation (up to 40 million VND), incubation (up to 80 million VND), and acceleration (up to 400 million VND).
To register, startups can contact SIHUB (Sihub@tphcm.gov.vn) to download the form and register their information. The center's selection committee reviews and selects startups that meet the criteria. To date, the city has attracted hundreds of participating projects, of which 233 incubation projects have been approved.
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Dang Thi Luan presents at the support program connecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the southern region, held on 27/8. Photo: SIHUB |
Dang Thi Luan presents at the support program connecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the southern region, held on 27/8. Photo: SIHUB
By 2028, it is expected that more than 1,000 innovative startup projects will be in the pre-incubation phase; more than 700 projects in the incubation phase; and about 200 projects in the acceleration phase, with access to venture capitalists. This means an estimated 250 pre-incubation projects, 150 incubation projects, and 50 acceleration projects will be supported annually.
Supported sectors include e-commerce; financial technology (Fintech); applications of artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, and digital transformation; health and transportation; sustainable development; cultural industries; and educational technology.
Besides tax and capital incentives, Ho Chi Minh City has also enacted policies to retain scientific and technological talent with increased salaries and remuneration for leaders and experts in public organizations. The salaries and remuneration of the leadership team at public science and technology organizations, including heads, deputies, heads and deputy heads of departments and laboratories, range from 30 to 120 million VND per month, depending on the position, qualifications, and capacity.
Other support policies include: New technology testing policies; The city's intellectual property development program; and R&D (research and development) support policies for businesses.
These activities are part of Ho Chi Minh City's implementation of Resolution 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in national science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
Pham Van Quan, general director of Checkee Technology Joint Stock Company, an innovative startup in traceability, said that in the past three years, the company has accessed many support programs from Ho Chi Minh City. The company has participated in startup competitions like GIC, science and technology business incubation activities at the High-Tech Park Incubator, and exhibitions at seminars and support policy dissemination programs organized by SIHUB. "The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Creative Startups is an important support, addressing the needs for workspace, connection, and support for the startup community," Quan emphasized.
According to the StartupBlink report published in 5/2025, Ho Chi Minh City entered the top 5 Southeast Asian startup ecosystems for the first time, ranking 110th globally. The city currently has more than 2,000 startups, accounting for half of the country's total, along with the participation of more than 100 venture capital funds and 20,000 individuals working in science and technology.
Ho Chi Minh City's startup ecosystem is currently valued at 7.4 billion USD, attracting a total venture capital investment of up to 260 million USD, bringing together nearly 50% of the country's startups and being the birthplace of three tech "unicorns": VNG, MoMo, and Sky Mavis.
Thai Anh
