Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 7th National Startup Festival for students, held at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education on April 20.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Education and Training, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.

In his speech, the Government leader stressed that the Start-up Day serves as a platform where every dream and entrepreneurial aspiration can be guided, nurtured, and given wings.

This year’s event drew thousands of students, lecturers, investors, and innovation experts. It featured exhibitions of student start-up ideas, along with various activities such as technology showcases and networking events among participating delegations.

Held from April 18, the event also included several notable seminars on breakthrough solutions to foster innovation in higher education institutions; supporting start-ups in vocational education amid the digital economy era; encouraging entrepreneurial thinking among students through career counselling;  on inspirational start-up stories from young entrepreneurs.

A highlight was the 7th "Students with Start-up Ideas" competition, which for the first time included vocational institutions presenting diverse and high-quality initiatives, many of which focused on solving pressing social and community issues.

More than just a milestone marking seven years of implementing Project 1665, this year’s Start-up Festival also signals a new phase of growth for the start-up ecosystem within educational institutions.

After visiting the start-up exhibition, the PM extended his warmest regards and best wishes to experts, scholars, business leaders, teachers, and students nationwide.

Reflecting on the historic month of April in the city named after President Ho Chi Minh, the Government chief highlighted that the 50 years since national reunification represent a time to remember the nation’s glorious past, draw lessons from history, and contemplate one’s responsibilities to the country, the community, and oneself.

He emphasized the historic mission of youth in every era, urging today’s young generation to carry forward the tradition of patriotism, demonstrate pioneering spirit, and actively contribute across all fields to protect and develop the nation.

Expressing his elation at the development of the student start-up movement over the past seven years, PM Chinh said, “ The Start-up Festival is not merely an annual event, but a place where even the smallest dreams and ambitions of students are nurtured and brought to life. It is a gathering of youthful minds full of aspiration; a bridge connecting education, businesses, and policymaking; and a hub to spread and cultivate a sustainable start-up ecosystem.”

The PM proudly shared that over 42,000 start-up projects have originated from student ideas, many of which have turned into tangible, socially valuable products and models. Numerous young people have gone on to launch their own businesses, raise funding, and generate employment. Thousands of students have written their own start-up journeys, distinctly Vietnamese in spirit but global in scope, through innovations in healthcare, clean agriculture, and digital solutions for daily life.

He underscored that building an innovative start-up ecosystem requires long-term strategic planning, while calling for more comprehensive policies, particularly in finance and intellectual property; greater public-private partnerships; and increased support to help students develop and commercialize their ideas. He also encouraged expanding socialized start-up funds and creating idea exchanges and mentoring networks at schools and local levels.

Addressing young people, he called on them- born into the age of technology- to embrace their roles as catalysts of scientific and technological breakthroughs, innovation, and digital transformation, in line with the spirit of the Politburo’s Resolution 57. He also urged them to contribute to national development and international integration, as outlined in Resolution 59 on Vietnam’s integration strategy in the new era.

He added that each young person must see start-ups not only as a foundation and a tool but also as a career opportunity. Start-up initiatives should stem from real-life needs, aim to address social challenges, and contribute to personal growth as well as national development. With passion, knowledge, and resilience, the youth can turn their ideas into impactful solutions and shape a brighter future for Vietnam.

Young people with outstanding achievements honoured

The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) held a ceremony in Hanoi on March 23 evening to award young people who obtained outstanding achievements in different fields in 2023.