VNExpress-May 21
Vietnam’s startup ecosystem is showing increasingly strong momentum on the global stage, backed by rapid growth in innovation activities, expanding policy support and rising international integration. According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 released by StartupBlink, Vietnam climbed five places to rank 50th globally, marking its highest position ever in the annual rankings. The index, published annually since 2017, evaluates startup ecosystems in countries and cities worldwide based on factors such as ecosystem quality, business environment and scale of startup activities.
StartupBlink identifies Vietnam among the fastest-growing ecosystems within the global top 21–50 group. The report notes that this segment represents one of the world’s most dynamic ecosystem clusters, with growth rates significantly higher than those of leading startup hubs. Vietnam and Thailand are highlighted as Southeast Asia’s standout performers. Vietnam currently has around 4,000 startups, 208 investment funds, 84 incubators and more than 20 startup support centers operating at both national and local levels. One of the most notable developments this year is Ho Chi Minh City rising 12 places to rank 98th globally, entering the world’s top 100 startup ecosystems for the first time. According to StartupBlink, Ho Chi Minh City now leads Southeast Asia in ecosystem maturity and performs strongly in fintech and blockchain, ranking 60th and 70th globally in the two sectors, respectively. Beyond traditional startup hubs such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, innovation activities are increasingly spreading to other localities. This year’s report marks the first appearance of Hai Phong in the global top 1,000 startup ecosystems, bringing the total number of Vietnamese cities in the rankings to four. Experts said the development reflects the gradual expansion of innovation ecosystems to localities with strengths in manufacturing, logistics and technology rather than being concentrated solely in major urban centers. Read more at:
