Vietnam set to become Asia startup hub

Jan 13, 2022Updated Jun 1, 20251 min read

Vietnam could be Asia’s next startup hub after local companies saw a funding surge over 40 times in the last five years, a venture capitalist said.

Venture funding for startups in Vietnam reached $2.1 billion last year, up from just $48 million in 2017, Binh Tran, co-founder of Ascend Vietnam Ventures said.

The sector is now attracting top-tier Silicon Valley venture capitalists, including Goodwater Capital LLC, Accel Partners LP and Altos Ventures Management Inc, he added.

“Vietnam saw a tremendous amount of maturity and growth early on, which will help it become a very important hub for the region,” he said.

The country is forecast to have the second-largest digital economy in Southeast Asia by 2030, according to a report by Google, Temasek Holdings Pte and Bain & Co.

Tags

About the author

Mei Ling Tan

Contributor · RetailNews.asia

Mei Ling Tan is the Editor of Retail News Asia, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth coverage of Asia’s dynamic retail landscape. With over a decade of experience in business journalism, Mei Ling is known for her sharp analysis, deep industry insights, and commitment to uncovering the stories behind Asia’s most innovative retail brands. Before joining Retail News Asia, Mei Ling held senior reporting roles at regional business publications, covering everything from consumer trends to digital transformation in retail. A graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in Communications and New Media, she combines journalistic integrity with a strong understanding of evolving market forces. Outside the newsroom, Mei Ling is a frequent speaker at industry panels and a mentor for young journalists.

Asia's retail intelligence, in your inbox