Entrepreneurship has become a key driver of innovation and economic growth. Among the vibrant contributors to this transformation are students – young individuals full of creativity, ambition, and energy. Recognizing their potential, the Government of Vietnam has placed increasing emphasis on nurturing entrepreneurship among high school and university students.
In alignment with this vision, the Prime Minister approved the national project titled “Supporting Student Entrepreneurship until 2025” under Decision No. 1665/QĐ-TTg dated October 30, 2017 (referred to as Project 1665). This initiative aims not only to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit within the youth but also to build a dynamic, creative, and globally integrated workforce.
Strategic Objectives of Project 1665
The core mission of Project 1665 is to raise awareness, provide knowledge, and enhance entrepreneurship skills among students, thereby enabling them to pursue and realize innovative business ideas. Beyond individual support, the project seeks to build a comprehensive startup ecosystem within educational institutions by connecting students with mentors, businesses, and support organizations.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính emphasized the importance of a coordinated national effort. To truly foster a widespread entrepreneurial movement among youth, collaboration is needed from all sectors – government, academia, private enterprise, and society at large – backed by appropriate mechanisms, policies, and practical, long-term solutions. This holistic approach sets the foundation for a thriving culture of innovation and sustainable economic development.
Multi-Stakeholder Implementation Framework
To implement Project 1665 effectively, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has joined forces with other key ministries such as Science and Technology, Planning and Investment, and Finance, along with local authorities. The project has been operationalized through five main pillars:
- Strengthening communication and information dissemination
- Entrepreneurship education and training
- Creating enabling environments in educational institutions
- Financial support for student-led startups
- Developing policy mechanisms and frameworks
These pillars collectively aim to foster entrepreneurial thinking and action while enabling students to contribute meaningfully to economic growth and global integration.
Key Initiatives and Results after 06 years
Effective communication has been crucial in promoting the goals and activities of Project 1665. Notable achievements include:
- Launching the official portal http://dean1665.vn and Facebook page facebook.com/khoinghiepquocgiaHSSV, offering regular updates, learning materials, and startup news. These channels attract over 23 million annual views.
- Producing promotional videos to introduce the project and showcase local efforts.
- Developing a national database of startup activities in universities to promote institutional capabilities.
- Organizing the annual National Student Startup Day (SV_STARTUP) and the Student Startup Idea Contest, linking government, academia, and business. Over 50% of universities now host annual campus-wide startup competitions.
Entrepreneurial training is a cornerstone of Project 1665. Key milestones include:
- 48% of universities now offer entrepreneurship as a compulsory or elective subject (up from 30% in 2020).
- 75% of institutions conduct short-term training courses on startup skills.
- Over 10,000 students participate annually in inspirational talks and events.
- Development of educational materials.
- Formation of a 200-member national network of startup mentors.
- Pilot programs in select provinces (Hanoi, Hue, Dong Thap, Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Hoa Binh) providing digital business and startup training to high school students.
MOET institutionalized its efforts by issuing Decision No. 2158/QĐ-BGDĐT (July 29, 2019), which designated three universities to pilot innovation and startup ecosystems. Other environmental supports include:
- Establishing co-working spaces, such as a 378 m² shared facility in Ho Chi Minh City and plans for another in Hue.
- Creating a Fablab for agricultural innovation in Tay Ninh.
- 60% of schools now have student-led startup clubs aligned with institutional strengths.
- 110 institutions have dedicated startup support spaces.
- Over 50 universities have established startup centers, including more than 10 with incubator functions.
- Collaborations between schools and businesses to co-develop startup hubs on campus.
To ensure adequate funding, MOET and the Ministry of Finance issued Circular No. 126/2018/TT-BTC to guide the allocation of budget for Project 1665. Additionally, Circular No. 26/2021/TT-BGDĐT includes entrepreneurship activities under scientific research, enabling use of research budgets for startup support.
Several universities have explored forming innovation investment funds under Decree No. 38/2018/NĐ-CP, providing legal backing for student-focused startup investment. Moreover, MOET has partnered with eight enterprises to co-implement Project 1665 Phase 2 (2022–2025).
The project has supported institutions in drafting internal financial regulations for student entrepreneurship initiatives. Circular No. 07/2022/TT-BGDĐT outlines detailed requirements and standards for career counseling, job support, and startup assistance in educational settings.
Project 1665 represents a significant step in transforming Vietnam’s education system into a breeding ground for innovation and entrepreneurship. With comprehensive support across communication, training, infrastructure, finance, and policy, the initiative has successfully laid the groundwork for a vibrant student startup ecosystem. As Vietnam continues to integrate deeper into the global economy, investing in the entrepreneurial capacities of its youth will remain a strategic priority for sustainable and inclusive growth.
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