By Ly Ly Cao

HÀ NỘI — Without accurate, standardised and continuously updated information, policymakers struggle to understand where start-ups are emerging, investors find it difficult to identify promising opportunities and support organisations often work in isolation.

As Việt Nam pursues its ambition of becoming a regional innovation hub under Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, experts argue that building a national start-up ecosystem is no longer simply about nurturing new companies. It is equally about developing the data infrastructure capable of connecting entrepreneurs, universities, investors, government agencies and research institutions into a coordinated innovation network.

For Chu Quang Thái of the Centre for Science and Technology Enterprise Development, reliable data should become the foundation of that ecosystem.

His proposal envisions a national database for Việt Nam's innovation start-up ecosystem that aligns with the emerging data economy, where information is treated not merely as an administrative resource but as an economic asset capable of generating value. 

The framework follows the Ministry of Science and Technology's newly introduced data architecture and governance model, aiming to standardise data management across the innovation ecosystem.

Rather than collecting fragmented statistics, the proposed system would integrate information from central ministries, provincial authorities, universities, incubators, investors and start-ups into a unified platform, enabling policymakers to better assess ecosystem performance and design evidence-based policies.

The challenge, however, extends beyond technology.

Many key indicators, from human capital and finance to start-up support services, market development and innovation outcomes, cannot be measured effectively if data are incomplete, inconsistent or collected using different standards.

Experts believe the solution begins at the local level.

Dr Đinh Việt Hòa, chairman of the National Start-up Association (VINEN), said Việt Nam does not lack entrepreneurial ambition, expertise or financial resources. What remains missing is an effective mechanism capable of bringing those elements together.

"Start-up development should begin from localities," Hòa said.

"It should grow from communes and wards because that is where local problems exist and where solutions can create the greatest impact."

That local-first approach also means reliable national statistics depend on reliable local data.

According to Vũ Thị Kim Chi, deputy director of the Quảng Ninh Department of Science and Technology, inconsistent definitions remain one of the biggest barriers to building a trustworthy national startup database.

"When there is no common understanding of what an innovative start-up is, statistics and data collection become difficult," she said, explaining that different agencies often apply different criteria when compiling start-up figures.

The fragmentation becomes even more apparent at the provincial level.

In Quảng Ninh, start-up information is collected separately by the Department of Science and Technology, youth organisations, women's unions, business associations and other organisations. 

As a result, the number of start-ups varies depending on which organisation conducts the survey, making it difficult to present a consistent picture of the local ecosystem.

According to Chi, the solution goes beyond standardising data formats.

She believes start-ups themselves should become the primary source of verified information through a shared digital platform. 

At the same time, governments should establish mechanisms that reward businesses for regularly updating their information by providing easier access to start-up programmes, incentives and innovation support services.

Clear regulations on data ownership, responsibilities and access rights, she added, would also help strengthen confidence in the system.

Broadening the innovation landscape

Reliable data, however, depend not only on how information is collected but also on what is included in the innovation ecosystem.

For years, much of Việt Nam's start-up conversation has traditionally centred on engineering and technology companies. 

Insiders argued that such an approach risks overlooking innovation taking place in many other sectors.

A representative from the Academy of Public Administration and Governance noted that Resolution No. 86 sets out an ambitious vision of fostering an entrepreneurial society by 2045. 

Achieving that goal, she said, requires expanding start-up support well beyond engineering and information technology.

"Start-up programmes have so far focused heavily on technology and engineering," she said. "There is still considerable room for innovation in the social sciences, public administration, governance and other non-technical disciplines."

She pointed out that universities and public-sector institutions also generate significant research, particularly in governance and public administration, much of it closely linked to local authorities as Việt Nam implements its new two-tier local government model.

The challenge, however, lies in commercialising those research outcomes.

"The first challenge is mindset," she said. "The second is the lack of strong linkages with technology, which makes it difficult to transform research findings into viable commercial business ideas." — BIZHUB/VNS