A Tech Vietnam Advocates guide to entering the Vietnamese market, covering the country's economic context, visa and funding routes, company setup timelines, location choices and business culture. It lists the 2024 event calendar and the government resources that track startup policy and funding.
Key sectors
AgricultureManufacturingIT DevelopmentSemiconductorEmerging TechClimateTechBlue FinanceGreen FinanceSustainable Development
Vietnam is one of the most dynamic economies in Asia, growing 5 to 7% per year, and is a comprehensive strategic partner to seven major economies including the US, Japan, Korea, Russia, China, Australia and India. That background gives it a strong entrepreneurship and startup culture, especially in technology.
02
Talent and challenges
Vietnam produces roughly 50,000 IT graduates a year, but the country still faces urbanisation, climate change and human resources upskilling as live challenges.
03
Policy direction
2024 is a staple year for game changing policies and regulations on real estate, digital identity and KYC ahead of the upcoming election. Major industries are steering toward the goal of Vietnam going carbon neutral by 2045.
04
Research and plan
Stay up to date with the latest policies and regulations, understand the culture, and work out how to position your business in Vietnam relative to the rest of Southeast Asia.
05
Visas and legalities
Check the Immigration Department website frequently for visa policies. Vietnam has waived visas for roughly 20 or more countries and the list is updated regularly. Many fake and illegal websites impersonate the government site, so unless the domain ends in gov.vn, stay alert, be wary of online agencies, and do your own due diligence.
The central and municipal governments have announced grants and funding programmes on top of corporate funding initiatives. Some of the most active government initiatives sit under the 844 project, the national programme to foster the innovation startup ecosystem until 2025.
