PM’s dialogue with youth: Greater opportunities for youth startups, tech innovation

Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government Office, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, held a dialogue between the Prime Minister and Vietnamese youth on October 15, focusing on promoting youth entrepreneurship and innovation to boost growth and create jobs.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung; Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra; Ha Thi Nga, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee; Bui Quang Huy, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee; and 300 young people representing more than 21 million Vietnamese youths.

Addressing youth unemployment amid labour market changes

At the dialogue, ministry representatives answered questions on scientific research, entrepreneurship, technology, innovation and the pioneering role of young people in national development.

Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh, an engineer at Vindynamics, a humanoid robotics research and development company, asked about measures to create jobs for young people as artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digital transformation reshape the labour market. Traditional jobs are changing or disappearing, while new positions require higher skills. About 1.6 million young people remain without jobs.

Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Tien Hai said the youth unemployment rate among people aged 15-24 reached 9.07% in the third quarter of 2026, more than four times the national rate of 2.22%, according to the National Statistics Office.

About 1.6 million young people, or 11.2% of the youth population, were not in employment, education or training. However, the rate remained below the global average of more than 20% and Southeast Asia's rate of over 16%.

He attributed the situation to limitations in training quality and a mismatch between education and labour market demand. Young people, particularly those in remote and ethnic minority areas, also face limited access to education and employment information. Some lack experience and skills or are insufficiently proactive in seeking work, while others rely on family support and do not seek employment.

The Government will raise awareness of the importance of education, training and employment, promote sustainable economic growth and expand vocational and information technology training in line with labour market needs, he stated.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is implementing labour and employment policies, improving labour market analysis and forecasting, and developing a worker database linked to national databases and the national employment exchange to better match job seekers with employers, he said.

It is also working to improve the quality of young Vietnamese workers sent overseas under labour contracts and strengthen career counselling and job placement through public employment services, educational institutions, businesses and local authorities, he added.

Giving young scientists major challenges

Dang Thi Le Hang, a doctoral researcher at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology's Institute of Advanced Technology, asked how young scientists could receive research assignments, funding and product evaluations that would enable them to contribute to national development.

Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan said his first policy after taking office as minister was to provide outstanding doctoral researchers with support of up to 1 billion VND (38,000 USD) a year for three years.

Applications to the basic research programme increased from 31% in 2024 to 46% in 2025 and 67% in 2026, he said, reflecting growing interest in basic research, particularly among young scientists.

The ministry also plans to invite 50 young Vietnamese scientists to Russia for an international congress of young scientists. In addition, a programme supporting AI adoption by businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, offers funding of up to 3 billion VND to help young AI talent develop ideas with businesses to improve productivity and quality. Successful initiatives could receive long-term investment.

Quan urged young people to begin tackling major national challenges by solving smaller research problems thoroughly. He outlined five priorities: developing a long-term vision, maintaining an open mindset and confidence, committing to sustained effort, building professional networks and drawing up concrete action plans to contribute to the country.

Expanding funding for youth-led businesses

Responding to Nguyen Thuy Chi, a person with cerebral palsy and co-founder and deputy director of Cham Vao Xanh Co. Ltd., Deputy Finance Minister Ta Anh Tuan praised young people's entrepreneurial ambitions and commitment to the community.

He said the Government needs to improve the business environment, reduce costs and unlock resources to help young people establish and grow businesses.

Under Politburo Resolution 68 on private economic sector development, the Ministry of Finance has advised the Government on financial and tax policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises. These include raising the annual revenue threshold for household businesses exempt from tax to 1 billion VND and cutting personal and corporate income taxes by 30% for eligible entities with annual revenue below 10 billion VND.

The ministry has also submitted a draft Law on Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development to the National Assembly for consideration at its October session. The draft aims to connect startups with investors and business support networks, strengthen links between smaller and larger domestic and foreign companies, simplify procedures, reduce compliance costs and improve access to capital.

Tuan said the ministry will continue to refine policies, cut administrative procedures and costs, and implement support measures to facilitate youth entrepreneurship.

He said the ministry hopes young people will build not only successful businesses but also competitive, large-scale enterprises that create jobs, contribute to national development and expand into regional and global markets./.

VNA