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| Startup products showcased at a promotional and trade event |
Giving startups a lift
In recent years, Hue City has taken steady steps to foster the development of its innovative startup ecosystem, with a particular focus on supporting projects and products that are innovative, commercially viable, and socially impactful.
According to a representative of the Department of Science and Technology, the city is currently implementing a wide range of support policies that cover every stage of the startup journey—from idea formation and business model development to market entry. These include incubation and acceleration programs, mentorship networks, support for technology testing costs, implementation of scientific and technological projects, packaging and labeling design, brand communication, and market access, etc.
A key highlight is the City-level Innovation Startup Competition, which since 2017 has attracted hundreds of projects, including many with high applicability and sustainable growth potential. Through the competition, promising startup ideas and projects are selected and provided with focused support to refine their business models, enhance their ability to access and adopt technology, and improve product quality.
Nguyen Thi Hue, Director of Hue Viet Organic Co., Ltd., who has mentored numerous individuals and teams in the City-level Innovation Startup Competition, shared that with support from both central and local authorities, many startup projects have been connected with investors, incubators, and innovation funds, gradually expanding their market reach.
Ms. Hue and many startups expressed their hope for continued support from the city and relevant authorities in several areas: media and product promotion; the adoption of new technologies and processes to enhance productivity and product quality; guidance on trademark registration; and assistance in registering and implementing science and technology tasks related to the development of new products and Hue-branded goods.
Some opinions suggest that Hue still lacks an environment that connects creative spaces with startup spaces. Although the Hue Innovation Hub currently provides a venue for networking and creativity among local startups, its scale remains modest.
Meanwhile, Hue holds strong potential to develop specialized innovation and startup spaces in areas such as cuisine, wellness tourism, medicinal herbs, high-tech agriculture, handicrafts, and digital technology. In addition, Hue needs more dedicated spaces for tech training and product testing, allowing startups to experiment and develop innovative solutions with high growth and commercialization potential.
Reaching the market
Beyond the conceptual stage, and backed by local authorities, support organizations, and the business community, many innovative startup products in Hue have undergone significant transformation. These products are carving out their foothold — first at home, and now increasingly abroad — thanks to their quality and local identity.
Ms. Tran Thi Thanh, CEO of the startup Gung Vien (Ginger Pellet) Organic Thanh An, shared that shortly after receiving an award from the Chairman of the City People's Committee at the Innovation Startup Competition, her company was given support in showcasing its products at various promotional and trade events such as Techfest and international trade fairs. These opportunities allowed the company to receive feedback from customers, access new technologies and designs, and thereby improve its products and expand its market reach.
Ms. Le Nhat Phuong, founder of Royal Bo Chinh Ginseng, also expressed her appreciation for the strong support and active involvement of the Department of Science and Technology, the Hue Innovation Startup Center, the city’s Center for Investment, Trade and Business Support, and various social organizations. From small-scale, fragmented production with limited product variety, Royal Bo Chinh Ginseng has grown to offer a diverse range of practical products well received by the market. Its product lines are now available at specialty stores, OCOP showcase points, and have reached the South Korean market.
According to Cung Trong Cuong, Director of the Hue Innovation Hub, efforts are underway to create a digital platform linking founders, investors, service providers, and financial backers — a step toward building a highly integrated startup ecosystem. This paves the way for startup products to make stronger inroads into the market.
Looking ahead, the establishment of the National Innovation and Startup Center in Hue, together with key science and technology infrastructures—including a high-tech park, a science park integrated with an innovation hub, and institutions for training human resources in IT, AI, semiconductors, and biotechnology—will deepen the synergy between scientists and businesses, and integrate innovative entrepreneurship with technological application and mastery.
With the right strategy, flexible policies, hands-on support, and well-structured market linkages, Hue is poised to become a fertile ground for startups to take off.