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| Overview of the conference |
Participants included leaders of departments and agencies; representatives from Hue University and training and research institutions; local authorities from areas within the planning zone; and numerous experts in urban planning, science and technology, innovation, and business.
Laying the foundation for a new growth engine
According to Vice Chairman Tran Huu Thuy Giang, the proposal for Hue High-Tech Park is the result of many years of preparation and is closely tied to Hue’s urban master planning adjustments and its orientation toward becoming a centrally governed municipality. Under the city’s new development strategy, the high-tech park is identified as a new growth space, helping shift the development model from relying on traditional advantages toward one based on knowledge, science, technology, and innovation.
According to the draft proposal, the High-Tech Park is planned to be located in Hung Loc Commune, covering more than 1,081 hectares. Unlike traditional industrial parks, it is designed as a multi-sector ecosystem that integrates research, training, testing, pilot production, and commercialization of high-tech products. The initial development phase prioritizes artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, robotics, semiconductor technology, biotechnology, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and other strategic technologies.
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| Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee Tran Huu Thuy Giang attended and delivered remarks to guide the discussion |
A highlight of the proposal is the establishment of the HEART STAR AI Data Center as an anchor project. Beyond providing computing infrastructure for AI and digital transformation, the center is expected to become a magnet for attracting major technology companies and gradually building an ecosystem for semiconductor design, robotics development, and advanced industries in Hue.
Speaking at the workshop, Vice Chairman Tran Huu Thuy Giang emphasized that the goal is not to create a large-scale proposal on paper but one that can be implemented immediately after approval. Therefore, he called for reviewing and aligning planning and legal frameworks with updated regulations, selecting investment models that mobilize social resources and public-private partnerships (PPP), attracting strategic investors, assessing the capacity of electricity, water, green energy, and telecommunications infrastructure, and quantifying socio-economic benefits to ensure feasibility from the preparation stage.
City leaders noted that advantages such as location, land availability, and development potential cannot be fully realized without synchronized planning, modern infrastructure, and policies attractive enough to draw investors. The consultation workshop therefore serves not only to refine the proposal but also to identify issues early before implementation.
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| Training science and technology human resources at Hue University |
Completing the core foundations
Experts and delegates generally agreed on the necessity of establishing a High-Tech Park in Hue at a time when science, technology, and innovation are becoming new growth drivers. However, many stressed that success will depend less on investment scale and more on choosing the right development model and creating distinctive competitive advantages.
From an urban planning perspective, Dr. Ngo Trung Hai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, argued that Hue should avoid building a closed high-tech park model like many localities have done previously. Instead, he suggested pursuing an innovation-driven urban model in which the park becomes an integrated ecosystem connecting research, education, work, and living spaces rather than simply clustering businesses.
He added that Hue’s greatest advantage lies not only in land resources but also in its long-established network of universities, research institutes, and highly skilled workforce. Therefore, the proposal should clarify mechanisms linking the High-Tech Park with Hue University and research institutions to promote technology transfer, development of innovative enterprises, and commercialization of technological products.
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| Associate Professor Dr. Do Thi Xuan Dung, Vice Director of Hue University, suggested that greater emphasis should be placed on human resources in developing the High-Tech Park |
From the perspective of innovation ecosystem development, Associate Professor Dr. Do Thi Xuan Dung, Vice Director of Hue University, noted that infrastructure investment is only the starting point. The proposal should further define mechanisms connecting government, universities, research institutes, and businesses, establish research commissioning policies, support technology transfer, and develop high-quality human resources. She emphasized that a high-tech park can only achieve sustainable growth if it creates an innovation ecosystem where talent and research activities play central roles.
Agreeing on the importance of legal readiness, Dr. Nguyen Le Hung, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Engineering and Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology, recommended further review of legal foundations under the High Technology Law and related regulations. He also suggested clearly defining the management model and functions of the High-Tech Park, prioritizing research, development, experimentation, and technology incubation rather than becoming a conventional mass-production industrial zone.
Beyond planning and legal considerations, many delegates focused on investment feasibility. Experts noted that Hue possesses significant strengths in land availability, power transmission infrastructure, stable water supply, and the potential for large-scale data center development, all of which are important conditions for AI and data center projects. However, these advantages will only become true competitive strengths if supported by detailed sub-area planning, clear investment roadmaps, and effective mechanisms for attracting investors.
Feedback from experts and scientists will be incorporated by the Department of Science and Technology to finalize the proposal before submission to competent authorities. More importantly, the workshop helped clarify the essential foundations needed for the High-Tech Park to become not just another investment project, but the core of Hue’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem, opening new growth opportunities for the city.