Hai Phong City in Vietnam, home to numerous South Korean companies including LG Electronics, is advancing its goal of becoming a global innovation city through enhanced scientific and technological cooperation with South Korea. The city is working on a strategic partnership with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), hosting Techfest Hai Phong 2026, and implementing a circular agriculture technology transfer project, all aimed at achieving its goal of entering the "Top 200 Global Innovation Cities" by 2030.
On May 26, local media including Bao Dau Tu reported that the Hai Phong Department of Science and Technology held a meeting to discuss the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with KIST. The meeting introduced Techfest Hai Phong 2026 and officially launched the 2026 Startup Innovation Talent Discovery Competition. The collaboration will focus on six key areas: infrastructure, talent, networking, commercialization, research, and investment.
A key infrastructure project is the establishment of the "KIST-Hai Phong Tech Hub." Plans for its establishment and operational regulations are expected to be finalized by August, with an official launch set for December. In the area of technology commercialization, an in-depth survey will connect KIST's technology supply database with local business needs, and a matching forum will be held during Techfest 2026 for South Korean tech companies and local businesses to meet directly.
Joint research initiatives will also be undertaken. In November, a survey will assess the technology needs of key companies and the status of marine bio and pharmaceutical resources, with plans to select one pilot joint research project to commence in December. Nguyen Cao Tang, director of the Hai Phong Department of Science and Technology, stated, "This is a concrete action to implement the central government's Resolution No. 57 and the national startup innovation strategy. Science and technology and innovation are key conditions that determine long-term competitiveness."
Hai Phong has maintained double-digit economic growth for 11 consecutive years, with an economic scale reaching $29.4 billion (approximately 44 trillion won). The city has also set a target of 13-14% average annual growth in gross regional domestic product (GRDP) from 2026 to 2030. According to a recent StartupBlink report, Hai Phong ranks 765th among the world's top 1,000 startup ecosystems and 23rd in Southeast Asia, establishing itself as one of Vietnam's four major cities.
KIST has expressed a strong commitment to expanding cooperation. KIST President Oh Sang-rok remarked, "This MOU is not just a document but a technology partnership based on trust," emphasizing their intention to develop Hai Phong into an innovation hub for northern Vietnam and Southeast Asia. During the event, agreements for technology transfer projects and business cooperation between South Korean and Vietnamese companies were also signed.
Meanwhile, in the Leu Khiem area of Hai Phong, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is actively promoting the IBS project. The Songja Investment Development Cooperative is collaborating with EcoHopia and KIST to introduce a circular agriculture and environmental treatment model utilizing organic waste and aquatic plants. Do Thi Thuy Ha, representative of the cooperative, noted, "Of the approximately 3,300 tons of household waste generated daily, 70-80% is organic material," stressing the urgent need to enhance processing capacity through technological modernization. Kim Won-bae, representative of EcoHopia, stated, "We aim to transfer technology to Vietnam and strengthen self-reliance capabilities."
Techfest Hai Phong 2026 is scheduled for August 4-5 at Vietnam Maritime University, featuring 120-150 technology booths and delegations from six countries. The event will cover strategic technologies such as semiconductors, quantum technology, AI, IoT, and robotics. A startup competition focused on Smart City Operations will also take place, with Hai Phong promising tax incentives and sandbox applications in the semiconductor and AI sectors.
In addition, Hai Phong is leveraging its collaboration with KIST to simultaneously promote technology transfer, talent development, and the expansion of international networks, accelerating its strategy to establish itself as a key gateway for South Korean technology and an innovation hub in Southeast Asia.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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