They are the trailblazers who dare to pioneer new business models, master emerging technologies, create new jobs and generate new value for society.

As Viet Nam enters a new era of development that demands a renewed growth model, stronger mobilisation of domestic resources and enhanced national competitiveness, nurturing a generation of young entrepreneurs with resilience, intellect and a strong aspiration to contribute is not only essential to the development of the private sector but also a key component of the country's human resources development strategy.

When entrepreneurship is no longer just a young person's story

Against this backdrop, young people and young entrepreneurs are expected to continue demonstrating their pioneering role. While previous generations of youth served as the vanguard on many fronts in the cause of national construction and defence, today's young people are called upon to lead the way in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and national economic development.

This has also been the consistent direction pursued by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Viet Nam Youth Federation in their efforts to support young people.

The reality of economic development shows that entrepreneurship is no longer merely about establishing a career for young people. Every new enterprise creates not only business opportunities but also jobs, drives innovation, develops new products and expands the economy's room for growth. In particular, amid rapid digital transformation and the accelerating Fourth Industrial Revolution, young entrepreneurs, with their ability to embrace new technologies and modern management thinking, are emerging as a group capable of adapting swiftly to changing market conditions.

According to Dang Hong Anh, Vice-President of the Viet Nam Youth Federation and Chairman of the Viet Nam Young Entrepreneurs Association, entrepreneurship has never been an easy path. For young people, starting a business is not simply about setting up a company, launching a product or identifying a market. It means having the courage to choose a difficult path, step beyond one's comfort zone, transform ideas into action and turn personal aspirations into value for society.

He believes that, in the country's new stage of development, young entrepreneurs should be recognised as a strategic development resource. The priority is not only to foster the entrepreneurial spirit but also to build a robust ecosystem capable of supporting their sustainable growth, from improving access to technology and strengthening management capabilities to expanding markets and enabling deeper participation in value chains.

Within this framework, young start-up entrepreneurs are no longer merely seeking business opportunities; they are becoming pioneers in testing new production and business models, helping to advance digital transformation, green transition and innovation.

From a movement to tangible economic value

Since 2015, the outstanding young start-up entrepreneurs awards, jointly organised by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Youth Federation and the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Young Entrepreneurs Association, has played an important role in identifying and nurturing outstanding young entrepreneurs.

Over nine editions, the programme has honoured 730 young entrepreneurs nationwide. More importantly, it has evolved beyond an awards initiative into a platform that fosters investment networking, management support and trade promotion for businesses.

The figures from the 2026 awards provide a clearer indication of the quality of Viet Nam's entrepreneurial movement. The enterprises led by the selected entrepreneurs generated combined revenue of more than 4.453 trillion VND, recorded profits of 95.8 billion VND, contributed 48.34 billion VND to the State budget and created employment for 3,726 workers.

The Top 10 outstanding young start-up entrepreneurs 2026 alone generated 1.886 trillion VND in revenue, earned 37.31 billion VND in profits, contributed 5.15 billion VND to the State budget and created 729 jobs.

These are economically significant figures. They demonstrate that many start-ups have successfully moved beyond the experimental phase into a period of sustained growth, generating tangible value for the economy through revenue, profits, employment and tax contributions.

The industrial profile of these young entrepreneurs has also become increasingly diverse. Beyond digital technology, many enterprises are now active in industrial manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, logistics, trade, services, healthcare and construction. This reflects the spread of innovation across traditional sectors, helping to improve labour productivity and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses.

According to Dang Hong Anh, the greatest value of programmes supporting young entrepreneurs lies not only in recognising outstanding individuals but also in fostering a business community built on connectivity, knowledge sharing and mutual support. When entrepreneurs support fellow entrepreneurs, and experienced business leaders are willing to share expertise and create opportunities for the next generation, a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem for young Vietnamese entrepreneurs can take shape.

New growth drivers require a new ecosystem

Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW not only reaffirms the role of the private sector but also calls for a more open business environment, the development of value and supply chains, and stronger linkages between domestic and foreign enterprises.

For young start-up entrepreneurs, this means that opportunities for growth depend not only on innovative ideas but also on their ability to integrate more deeply into global production networks.

Challenges, however, remain considerable. Most start-ups are small in scale, have limited management capacity and struggle to access capital, technology and markets. Many also face difficulties in commercialising products, protecting intellectual property and building strong brands.

Developing young start-up entrepreneurs should therefore be viewed as a long-term investment in the future of the economy. Alongside recognition programmes, greater efforts are needed to strengthen support mechanisms in management training, digital transformation, technological innovation, investment connectivity, trade promotion and participation in both domestic and international value chains.

From this perspective, the role of the Youth Union and the Youth Federation has also expanded in the new era. Beyond inspiring young people to pursue entrepreneurship and build their careers, these organisations serve as a bridge connecting youth with development resources, linking ideas with markets and bringing innovation closer to production and business activities.

If the youth movement in this new era requires pioneers in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and private sector development, then young start-up entrepreneurs represent one of the most tangible and dynamic forces capable of turning these ambitions into reality.

Viet Nam is entering a new stage of development marked by greater aspirations and higher expectations. Today's start-ups have the potential to become tomorrow's leading enterprises. The innovative ideas of young people today could evolve into Vietnamese products and brands capable of competing successfully in international markets.

Nurturing a new generation of young start-up entrepreneurs is therefore not simply about helping young people build their careers. It is an investment in the long-term competitiveness of the national economy; not merely the development of a new generation of entrepreneurs, but the cultivation of fresh growth drivers to realise the aspiration of building a strong and prosperous Viet Nam in this new era of national development.

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