The Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam identifies the development of private enterprises, nurturing a team of entrepreneurs, and promoting innovative startups as important drivers of the new growth model. In this context, the formation of a genuine startup ecosystem, linked to science and technology and digital transformation, is becoming an urgent requirement for the economy.
Government leaders attended and congratulated the 8th Congress of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association, term 2025-2030.
Mr. Dang Hong Anh, Vice President of the Vietnam Youth Union and President of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association, had an exchange with the Government Online Newspaper about the shift from "campaign-based initiatives" to building a genuine startup ecosystem based on digital platforms to contribute to realizing new development goals.
Complementing and filling the gaps of Vietnamese startups
The Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party identifies science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the central driving force of the new growth model. How do you view this direction, and what role is the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association playing in this process?
Mr. Dang Hong Anh: The spirit of the Resolution of the 14th National Congress clearly shows a shift in development thinking: from a growth model based primarily on capital and labor to a growth model based on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
In this context, entrepreneurship is not only seen as a social movement, but is increasingly becoming an important part of the national innovation ecosystem, directly linked to socio-economic development goals and the building of a new generation of entrepreneurs.
However, in reality, the startup ecosystem in our country is still in the process of being perfected. The link between scientific research activities and market needs is still limited; the mechanisms for encouraging and accepting risks for innovation need to be further improved. In addition, startup support activities are fragmented, lack data interconnection, and are not closely linked to market needs.
Based on this reality, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association recognizes that its role goes beyond simply encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit; it needs to participate in removing bottlenecks through concrete solutions. One of the key priorities is supporting the development of a digital-based startup ecosystem with data and direct market connections.
Currently, the Association has built and implemented a trade promotion platform, including a module specifically for the startup community. This platform aims to connect startup projects with investment funds, experts, and the network of businesses within the Association's system.
Each startup project will have access to support tailored to its stage of development. This approach shifts activities from "campaign-based mobilization" to "need-based connection," while also facilitating policy evaluation based on practical data rather than solely on administrative reports.
Currently, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association has approximately 21,000 young entrepreneur members nationwide, a crucial resource for supporting youth startup projects. In addition, the Association integrates entrepreneurship content into many major programs such as the 10,000 CEO Training Program, trade promotion activities, and the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award Program.
Through these activities, startup projects not only receive moral support but also connect with the market, supply chains, and management experience from the business community.
Mr. Dang Hong Anh, Vice President of the Vietnam Youth Union, President of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association
Startups Need to Be Linked to Technology and Value Chains
In line with the spirit of the Resolution of the 14th National Congress, how will the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association promote startup projects into fields with high technological content and added value, sir?
Mr. Dang Hong Anh: In the new development phase, startups need to gradually shift towards fields with high technological content and added value such as digital technology, automation, new materials, and manufacturing technology, instead of mainly focusing on simple commercial and service activities.
Based on the Association's practical experience, we focus on promoting connections between startup businesses and manufacturing and technology businesses to form linkages.
Specifically, technology businesses can connect with traditional businesses to promote digital transformation; manufacturing businesses can connect with distribution businesses; and service businesses can connect with export businesses. The formation of such linkages will help young businesses gradually improve their competitiveness and participate more deeply in the value chain.
In reality, many young businesses have transitioned from small to medium scale and become more deeply involved in the domestic supply chain, while gradually participating in the global value chain through these connections.
Young entrepreneurs become mentors for the new generation of startups
The Vietnamese Youth Development Strategy for the period 2021-2030 requires the enhancement of substantive capabilities for young entrepreneurs and the staff of the Youth Union and Associations. Could you tell us how the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association has implemented this?
Mr. Dang Hong Anh: The core principle is that support activities must focus on enhancing the substantive capabilities of young people, not just on inspiring them.
One of the approaches the Association is implementing is mobilizing experienced young entrepreneurs to participate as lecturers and mentors for youth startup projects. Through this, young people have the opportunity to access practical management experience and gradually develop their business management capabilities.
For the Youth Union and Association's staff, the Youth Development Strategy also requires them to enhance their knowledge of economics and digital transformation. Therefore, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association, in coordination with relevant units, implements many practical training programs such as business model analysis, financial planning, digital technology application, and investment networking skills.
Combining training with digital platforms allows for personalized support tailored to the needs of each startup project, instead of implementing mass training programs.
Award Ceremony for Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs of 2024
Honoring Young Entrepreneurs Creates Motivation for Ecosystem Development
So, after 8 editions, what impact has the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award Program had on the young business community?
Mr. Dang Hong Anh: Over more than 10 years of organization (since 2015), with 643 outstanding young entrepreneurs honored, the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award Program organized by the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association has become a selective startup support mechanism, not only honoring but also accompanying the development of businesses. Hundreds of specific startup stories have been widely publicized and disseminated within the young entrepreneur community as well as the Youth Union and Association system nationwide. This title, especially the TOP 10, contributes to enhancing the reputation of businesses, creating more favorable conditions for accessing investors and development resources. Simultaneously, participation in the program also creates an incentive for businesses to standardize their financial records and enhance transparency in their operations.
A noteworthy point is that the program doesn't just stop at the awards ceremony. After being honored, entrepreneurs continue to be connected to the national Young Entrepreneurs Network, participating in digital transformation activities, trade promotion, and supply chain linkages at the local level.
From 2026, the Association's recognition programs will have adjustments to their criteria to be more substantive. Accordingly, the concept of entrepreneurship will be viewed more broadly, not limited to establishing new businesses but also encompassing the process of innovating business models or expanding industries based on knowledge and technology. This adjustment of criteria aims to accurately reflect the dynamics of the digital economy, where the boundary between entrepreneurship and business development is increasingly fluid.
I believe that young entrepreneurs will continue to play a crucial role in the new growth model based on knowledge, technology, and innovation. However, to achieve this, young entrepreneurs need a comprehensive support ecosystem, from market connections and access to resources to sharing management experience.
Through building digital platforms and maintaining long-term partnerships with the young entrepreneur community, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association is gradually concretizing the spirit of the Party and State's policies and resolutions on developing an innovative startup ecosystem.
The Association also continues to collaborate with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union and the Vietnam Youth Federation to implement programs supporting youth entrepreneurship. Leveraging its extensive business network, the Association will focus on sharing management experience, supporting market connections, and providing resources for youth startup projects. This will contribute to shaping a generation of Vietnamese youth with the courage, knowledge, and ability to master science and technology, ready to participate in the rapid and sustainable development of the country in the new era.
Thank you very much, sir!
According to the Government Newspaper