Ho Chi Minh City contributes to approximately 23% of Vietnam’s GDP and 27% of national revenue. Science, technology, and innovation are expected to drive 74% of total factor productivity (TFP) growth, supported by a strong ecosystem of high-tech parks, research institutions, and enterprises. In 2025, spending on science and innovation is projected to account for 1.51% of the city’s budget, with the sector attracting 1.8 billion USD in FDI,around 40% of total inflows in the first nine months.
The city is witnessing a strong influx of high-tech investment, with several large-scale data center and R&D projects underway, namely:
1. Viettel’s 140 MW Data Center and R&D Complex, launched in Cu Chi Commune, one of Southeast Asia’s largest
2. CMC Corporation’s 250 million USD hyperscale data center at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP) to provide high-performance storage, analytics, and Artificial Intelligence-as-a-Service (AIaaS) infrastructure, cloud, big data, and cybersecurity services for millions of users
3. G42, FPT, VinaCapital, and Viet Thai Group’s 2 billion USD AI-focused hyperscale data center, with support from UAE’s sovereign fund and Microsoft
4. Saigon Asset Management (SAM)’s 1.5 billion USD DigitalHub in Binh Duong’s VSIP Industrial Park.
In additioin, the SHTP signed an MOU with Intel, under which Intel will donate used semiconductor packaging and testing equipment to SHTP Labs for training and research purposes.
HCMC is also advancing its International Financial Center (IFC) through strategic partnerships. In October 2025, the HCMC Department of Finance signed a MOU with NASDAQ on governance, capacity building, cross-listing, and product development. The same month, the University of Economics HCMC (UEH) and the New York Institute of Finance launched a joint international training program, to strengthen the link between global academia, policy, and practice in developing high-calibre financial experts, while Warburg Pincus, a leading global growth investment firm, expressed interest in contributing to the IFC and expanding cooperation in data centers and digital infrastructure.
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References: 1. The Investor Vafie Magazine, 2 November 2025
https://theinvestor.vn/hcmc-a-magnet-for-high-tech-projects-d17506.html
2. Dang Bo Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh, 18 October 2025
