As Vietnam’s startup ecosystem enters a phase of robust development, it is witnessing the emergence of new driving forces. Among them is a pioneering concept: open innovation. More than a philosophy, it is increasingly becoming a strategic key to improving the competitiveness of startups in today’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
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A Familiar Concept, Yet Not Fully Understood
A growing number of enterprises in Vietnam have been exposed to the idea of startups. According to recent survey data, nearly 90% of businesses claim to have at least a partial understanding of the concept. However, the depth of this understanding remains limited.
Chart 1: Level of business understanding about startups
A similar trend can be observed when it comes to open innovation. Only 1.31% of surveyed enterprises reported no awareness of the term, and 16.34% stated limited knowledge. This indicates that open innovation is gradually becoming a known term within the startup community.
Chart 2: Level of business understanding of open innovation
Despite this growing awareness, only 23.53% of businesses claimed a clear understanding of startups, and an even lower 15.03% reported deep knowledge of open innovation.
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From Understanding to Implementation
Startups refer to the creation and deployment of groundbreaking ideas, products, or services—typically generated by visionary entrepreneurs and creative teams. This process often involves novel and disruptive approaches to solving existing problems or introducing entirely new solutions to the market. At its core, it’s about delivering unmet value through innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement.
Open innovation, meanwhile, refers to the strategic utilization of external resources, information, and ideas through collaboration and knowledge sharing. It breaks down traditional silos and encourages broader participation in the innovation process. Open innovation fosters a dynamic environment where individuals, organizations, and communities can freely exchange insights and co-develop new solutions.
This collaborative model promotes a culture of learning, contribution, and creativity, unlocking powerful synergies and development potential. For Vietnam’s startup ecosystem, promoting open innovation is both an opportunity and a challenge. Beyond opening access to information, it requires investing in collaborative infrastructure and creating flexible environments for experimentation.
By embracing open innovation, startups gain access to broader development opportunities, enhance their ability to deliver impactful products and services, and strengthen long-term competitiveness. Sharing knowledge and building strategic partnerships also helps avoid common pitfalls and accelerates market entry.
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A Promising Outlook
Open innovation is poised to become a defining factor in strengthening Vietnam’s startup ecosystem. Building a community that shares ideas and information openly not only unlocks growth potential but also shapes a sustainable and resilient entrepreneurial future for the nation.
Looking ahead, open innovation could emerge as a core driver in propelling Vietnam’s startup ecosystem to new heights. By fostering an open and supportive environment, startups will gain access to the critical resources they need to thrive—from capital and talent to partnerships and markets.
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This survey was conducted by the National Program 844 Office under the Ministry of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization, Startup Vietnam Foundation, BambuUP Open Innovation Platform, MSD Vietnam, and the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD United Way Vietnam).
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Dương Ngọc Ánh – Communications Lead, National Program 844 Office
Email: anhdn@most.gov.vn | Phone: +84 966 909 903
