Saigon Hi-Tech Park in HCM City is shifting its focus from pure manufacturing to an advanced research and development ecosystem. — Photo Courtesy of SHTP

HCM CITY — The Government's greenlight for the 195-hectare expansion of the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in HCM City is set to redefine the southern metro’s economic landscape, changing it from a high-tech manufacturing hub to a comprehensive, world-class innovation ecosystem.

The approval in June 2026 came at a critical juncture as the SHTP in Long Phước Ward runs out of land after more than two decades in operation.

However, rather than just a mechanical increase in physical area, the city plans to transform the zone into a strategic nucleus for next-generation technology.

Prof Nguyễn Kỳ Phùng, head of the SHTP, said: "In this new space, we expect to form an organic link between R&D, expert training, innovative startups, and advanced manufacturing.

"The expansion creates a strategic technological space to enter a new phase of development.”

This would serve as the foundation to achieve the strategy of turning SHTP into an “intelligent innovation space of international standard," he said.

The expansion lays the groundwork for the city’s long-awaited Science and Technology Park, which aims to strengthen the "triple helix" model—fostering organic linkages between universities, research institutes, and enterprises to drive the economy of the wider southern key economic zone.

Phùng said the ultimate goal is self-reliance in technology:

"In the future, I envision this as a complete science and technology ecosystem, capable of creating Vietnamese-branded technologies and products instead of just stopping at assembly and manufacturing."

A worker conducts final product checks prior to export at the Intel Products Vietnam plant in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in HCM City. — Photo Courtesy of Intel

Anchoring global giants, frontier tech

For over 20 years, SHTP has powered Vietnam's high-tech exports, housing global giants like Intel, Samsung, Nidec, Jabil, and Schneider Electric.

Intel Products, which operates its largest assembly and test plant in the world, and Samsung's multi-billion-dollar electronics complex have successfully put the city on the global electronics map.

However, as Southeast Asia becomes a fierce battleground for the semiconductor and artificial intelligence supply chains, SHTP is aggressively moving up the value chain.

Despite global economic headwinds, it continues to have much investment appeal.

It houses 166 active projects with cumulative investment of $13.75 billion.

In just the first half of 2026, it granted investment certificates to four strategic projects worth more than $1.23 billion to achieve nearly 90 per cent of its full-year target.

"We are not resting on our laurels," Phùng said.

“2026 is the exact time for SHTP to innovate to catch the new wave of investment in crucial fields such as semiconductors, AI, data centres, and digital technology.

Among the new approvals are two large data centres worth nearly $1 billion that will serve as the foundation for the city's future AI and cloud computing capabilities.

Besides, Techtronic Industries has increased its investment by over $730 million to develop smart electronic products integrated with the Internet of Things.

To ensure the seamless execution of the master plan, the city People's Committee has drafted a comprehensive implementation framework.

A dedicated steering committee will be established to oversee the expansion, with financial resources prioritised from the city’s own coffers besides targeted support from the government.

The infrastructure priority includes the construction of a direct road linking the existing SHTP to the new expansion area in Long Phước Ward.

Furthermore, the expansion leverages special institutional mechanisms, such as Resolution 98, which grants the city autonomy in investment approvals, corporate tax incentives, and strategic land management.

These policies will allow SHTP to offer tailored incentives to strategic investors in semiconductor design and testing and AI.

By combining modern R&D infrastructure with flexible policies, the expanded SHTP is positioned to act as the pilot shield for national digital transformation, elevating the city into a competitive tech hub in the region. — VNS