On October 10 and 11, 2025, Vietnam’s entrepreneurial spirit took center stage as two provinces—Nghệ An and Cà Mau—unveiled major startup competitions designed to foster innovation, nurture local talent, and push the boundaries of sustainable development. These events, reported by baodautu.vn and the Ministry of Science and Technology, not only celebrated the creative drive of Vietnamese entrepreneurs but also revealed the strategic ambitions of provincial leaders to transform their regions into hubs of technological and economic progress.
In Nghệ An, the Techfest Nghệ An Open 2025 event kicked off with the theme "Khát vọng sông Lam – Tỏa sáng Xứ Nghệ," or "The Aspiration of Lam River – Shining Nghệ Land." The festival served as a springboard for identifying and nurturing promising startup ideas and projects that align with the province’s unique strengths and developmental needs. Organizers made it clear: this wasn’t just about finding the next big business, but about solving real-world problems through innovation, especially in high-tech agriculture, tourism, commerce, cultural industries, information technology, and financial services.
The timing of the event was no accident. The awards ceremony coincided with National Digital Transformation Day on October 10, 2025, and doubled as a tribute to the 25th anniversary of Nghệ An’s Science and Technology Sector on October 25. According to baodautu.vn, the competition had been in the works for six months, drawing over 130 applications from across Vietnam. After a rigorous selection process, 20 projects with the highest scores advanced to the finals. Over two intense days, these teams presented their visions and solutions, culminating in a ceremony where 10 outstanding projects were awarded by the Nghệ An Provincial People’s Committee: one First Prize, two Second Prizes, three Third Prizes, and four Encouragement Prizes. The remaining 10 projects were recognized as potential startup ventures—an important nod to the depth of talent present.
At the heart of the ceremony was Deputy Chairman of the Nghệ An Provincial People’s Committee, Nguyễn Văn Đệ, who used the moment to launch the 2026 startup talent search competition. His message, "Khát vọng đổi mới – Sáng tạo bứt phá – Kiến tạo tương lai" (Aspiration for Innovation – Breakthrough Creativity – Shaping the Future), set an ambitious tone for the years ahead. He called on the business community to lead the way in adopting new business models and technologies, and to support startups not just with capital, but with knowledge and practical experience. "We invite entrepreneurs to become angel investors and mentors for the next generation," he urged, as reported by baodautu.vn.
Nghệ An’s commitment doesn’t stop at words. The province pledged to complete its innovative startup ecosystem, ensuring that ideas can be tested, commercialized, and developed sustainably. There’s a clear focus on supporting projects that address local challenges, harness regional advantages, and apply cutting-edge technologies. By fostering deep connections with experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, and investment funds both domestically and internationally, Nghệ An aims to create a value chain that links the province to the national and global startup scene. As provincial leaders emphasized, they will "always accompany and create the most favorable conditions for startup ideas to become reality."
Meanwhile, in the southern tip of Vietnam, Cà Mau province launched its own 2025 startup competition on October 11, with the theme "Khởi nghiệp sáng tạo - Thủy sản xanh – Xu hướng phát triển bền vững" (Innovative Startups – Green Aquaculture – Sustainable Development Trend). This event, a fixture since 2019, is a highlight of the Cà Mau Startup Festival (CamaUP'25) and the province’s famous Crab Festival. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the competition is open to individuals, groups (up to five members), organizations, and businesses less than five years old from across the country, provided they have ideas or projects they wish to implement in Cà Mau.
What sets the Cà Mau competition apart is its inclusivity. The organizers encourage participation from all walks of life: youth, women, farmers, students, scientists, and lecturers. Project topics span aquaculture, agriculture, tourism, technology, environment, logistics, and education, with a special emphasis on green economy models, circular economy, digital transformation, and projects that make efficient use of local resources. "We want to see ideas that not only generate profit but also contribute to the sustainable development of our province," stated a representative from the Cà Mau Science, Technology and Innovation Center (Camau CSTI), as cited by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The competition is structured in four rounds—preliminary, training, semi-final, and final. Projects that pass the first round receive specialized training to hone their products and presentation skills, a crucial step for many first-time entrepreneurs. The prize pool is both symbolic and practical: one First Prize of 20 million VND, one Second Prize of 15 million VND, one Third Prize of 10 million VND, and two Encouragement Prizes of 5 million VND each. But the real draw for many is the promise of media support, commercial promotion, and investment connections for high-ranking projects—an invaluable boost for startups seeking to scale.
Both competitions reflect a broader national movement toward digital transformation and sustainable innovation. By aligning their events with national days of significance and integrating them into larger festivals, Nghệ An and Cà Mau are signaling that entrepreneurship is not a niche pursuit, but a core part of their regions’ identities and futures. In Nghệ An, the focus on practical problem-solving and leveraging local strengths is matched by a drive to connect with the global innovation ecosystem. In Cà Mau, the emphasis on green aquaculture and sustainable models speaks to both environmental concerns and economic opportunity.
For participants, the journey is about more than just winning a prize. It’s a chance to receive mentorship, build networks, and contribute to their communities. The competitions’ open arms—welcoming everyone from seasoned entrepreneurs to farmers and students—underscore a belief that good ideas can come from anywhere, and that sustainable growth depends on tapping into the collective creativity of society.
As Vietnam continues to position itself as a rising star in regional innovation, the stories unfolding in Nghệ An and Cà Mau offer a glimpse into a future where local ingenuity meets global ambition. The seeds planted by these competitions may well grow into the next generation of Vietnamese enterprises, carrying with them the hopes and aspirations of their communities.
With the energetic backing of provincial leaders and a groundswell of grassroots participation, Vietnam’s startup ecosystem is poised for a new era—one where innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity go hand in hand.
