In the new context, Ho Chi Minh City has identified innovation as the main driving force for transforming its growth model. The city has approved the "Development of a Network of International-Class Innovation Centers in Ho Chi Minh City" project. This project is presented as a solution to the problem of linking resources and creating a "boost" for technological solutions to reach international standards. It is also a strategic step to concretize the objectives of Resolution 57.
Resolution 57 affirms its role as a strategic framework, helping the city gradually form a development model based on knowledge, technology, and data. The city's momentum is further boosted by Resolution 260, amending and supplementing Resolution 98. With its superior and unique mechanisms, this is the foundation for Ho Chi Minh City to realize its GRDP growth target of 10-11% by 2026. Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed that this is the "golden key" to removing bottlenecks and promoting the economic development of Ho Chi Minh City. "More than ever, we clearly feel the immense responsibility that the Party Committee, the government, and the people of the city have entrusted to us. I believe that, with the tradition of unity, resilience, and creativity of the city named after President Ho Chi Minh, no external force can make us falter. We have been, are, and will continue to walk the path of innovation, construction, and development with the will of the entire political system, with the intelligence and strength of more than 14 million people of the city," shared Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.
Resolution 57 has demonstrated its correctness, innovation, and creativity, acting as a powerful impetus to help major cities maintain development and accelerate breakthroughs in accordance with the set tasks. Thanks to the consensus and unity from the city's top leaders to the grassroots level, Resolution 57 has effectively fulfilled its role and has been correctly and effectively applied by the city, serving as a guiding principle for double-digit economic growth.
Businesses are accelerating their digital transformation.
Following the merger, Ho Chi Minh City became the convergence point of the three most dynamic growth poles in the country, carrying with it a broad vision and aspiration to build a modern, dynamic, and globally competitive city in the new era. In its development orientation, the city aims to be a leader in green transformation, smart city development, attracting high-tech investment, and forming an international financial center as a foundation for long-term development. The effective and decisive application of Resolution 57 in practice has further enhanced Ho Chi Minh City's leading economic power.
To date, Resolution 57 has gradually become ingrained in the awareness of cadres, Party members, and the people, moving beyond mere slogans to create concrete changes in policy approaches, resource allocation, and the organization and implementation of tasks related to the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
Ho Chi Minh City has announced that 100% of administrative procedures are processed regardless of administrative boundaries; the rate of timely processing of applications reached nearly 96%, and even 99.4% at the commune level. The city also continues to affirm its leading role in innovation nationwide, ranking second in the country in the Local Innovation Index. The innovation ecosystem has been strengthened with 55 public and private centers and incubators. The science and technology sector is expected to attract nearly US$1.8 billion, accounting for 22% of total FDI in 2025.
With decisive direction and the support of the government and businesses in innovation, the business community has become more confident and stronger in applying science and technology to its production activities. Mr. Lam Ngoc Tuan, Director of Tuan Ngoc Cooperative, said that by effectively applying technology in production, the cooperative not only increases output and quality but also saves costs and time, and always receives trust from customers. Sharing about his hydroponic vegetable farming technology, Mr. Lam Ngoc Tuan, Director of Tuan Ngoc Agricultural Cooperative, said that growing vegetables using high-tech models in Ho Chi Minh City is more economically efficient than growing them in Da Lat or other provinces and cities.
Applying Resolution 57 of the Politburo on building a digital economy and digital society, businesses in Ho Chi Minh City are adapting flexibly and promoting the application of AI and IoT in production and business, based on leveraging support mechanisms from the government. Ms. Truong Kim Ngan, representative of Hong Nam enterprise, said that the company has used AI software for marketing, sales, and order closing and found it very effective: "This AI will advise on sales and close orders 24/7. For example, if I am a customer and I am interested in a flower shop's products, I go in and send a message. Normally, the shop's staff would reply and advise me on the shop's services, but now, the AI will advise me, send me pictures, until I am satisfied and provide information, then automatically confirm the order, delivery date, shipping fee… everything. This solution is being used by businesses because it helps save costs, and businesses quite like it."
When the government and businesses work together, find common ground, and use science and technology as a lever for breakthroughs, both businesses and the government will develop together. The growth of many businesses will boost and create outstanding overall economic development. Applying Resolution 57 correctly and effectively to real life will further enhance Ho Chi Minh City's strength as an economic engine.
Ho Chi Minh City is determined to realize its double-digit growth target.
In accordance with Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP on the main tasks and solutions for implementing the socio-economic development plan and the state budget estimate for 2026, Ho Chi Minh City is determined to achieve double-digit growth in 2026 and subsequent years. To achieve breakthrough development, Ho Chi Minh City must become an International Financial Center, which will help it become the engine driving the entire country's progress. This will be achieved in parallel with the application and development of science and technology and digital transformation.
Applying policies from the central government, Ho Chi Minh City has implemented numerous mechanisms and created leverage to support businesses in applying digital technologies. Mr. Vo Minh Thanh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, stated: "Ho Chi Minh City issued a digital transformation plan in 2020. In particular, building on the specific mechanisms of Resolution 98 and the Politburo's Resolution 57, the city will continue to issue breakthrough policies for startups, innovation, and digital transformation. Examples include policies on investment and finance, the establishment of venture capital funds, tax policies for science and technology organizations, policies for experts working in the science and technology field, and policies implementing sandbox mechanisms to facilitate digital transformation for businesses."
To achieve double-digit economic growth and continue the development of science and technology in Ho Chi Minh City, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong requested that in 2026: Every official and civil servant, especially the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, must constantly innovate to advise and propose solutions to promote and develop in accordance with the desires, requirements, and aspirations for the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in all fields; the department must strengthen connections, not only internally but also internationally; and must have policies to nurture, preserve, and promote the team of experts and scientists.
Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang assessed that Resolution 57 has contributed to changing the mindset, awareness, and actions of officials, civil servants, businesses, and citizens regarding the role of science, technology, and innovation. He requested: "Ho Chi Minh City must take the lead in this matter because of its potential, advantages, and the responsibility entrusted by the Central Government, as well as the expectations of the people. We must trust everyone a little more. First, trust ourselves more, daring to overcome interpretations of the document that seem to pose risks of responsibility. Second, trust scientists more. Third, trust businesses more, and fourth, trust entrepreneurs more."
Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang emphasized the need to accelerate the completion of digital infrastructure, connect databases, and build a smart management and operation system; and boldly provide capital to businesses to order products that the city needs. The Party Secretary affirmed that 2026 will no longer be a year of "trial runs," but a year of genuine thinking, genuine action, genuine responsibility, and genuine measurement to deliver real results.
With determined efforts and proactive approaches from many sides, science and technology and digital transformation will become decisive factors in enhancing the competitiveness of businesses, contributing to the development of the digital economy, and serving as a leverage for the city to achieve double-digit growth in the coming period.