Building Da Nang Silicon Beach: From Vision to Action

We extend our deepest gratitude to Professor Paul Romer, co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, Dr. Mirjam Staub-Bisang, Chair of the Board of Directors of SIFEM - The Swiss Development Finance Institution, and Dr. Nguyễn Tú Anh for their invaluable contributions to Flagship session 4: Building Da Nang Silicon Beach on the East–West Economic Corridor. Their insights inspired meaningful dialogue on how emerging cities can shape the next generation of global innovation ecosystems.

The session explored a defining question for Da Nang's future:

Can Silicon Beach become more than an inspiring vision—can it become a long-term economic strategy?

Discussions highlighted how emerging urban centers can:

• Cultivate globally competitive startups;
• Strengthen founder communities;
• Attract patient venture capital;
• Transform bold ideas into measurable action.

Representing Da Nang Fintech Lab, a member of the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Da Nang (VIFC) in Da Nang, Ms. Ha My TRAN shared a strategic roadmap that places soft infrastructure at the heart of Da Nang's development.

Rather than measuring success by physical infrastructure alone, she emphasized that a thriving innovation ecosystem is built on trusted institutions, regulatory agility, global connectivity, entrepreneurial talent, and a high quality of life that attracts the world's brightest minds.

Her vision positions Da Nang as a Coastal Living Lab - a city where startups can:

• Experiment through regulatory sandboxes;
• Collaborate with international mentors and industry partners;
• Pioneer innovation in strategic sectors such as Blue Tech, AI GovTech, and Smart Tourism.

Supported by the International Financial Centre and the upcoming Free Trade Zone, Da Nang has the opportunity to create an ecosystem where innovation is not only encouraged but accelerated.

Ms. Ha My TRAN concluded:

"For years, tech hubs were defined by concrete and skyscrapers. Da Nang will be defined by its soft infrastructure—the trust of investors, the connectivity of the founder community, and the quality of life that empowers innovation."

The conversation left us with a powerful conclusion.

The question is no longer, "Why Da Nang?". It has become, "Why not Da Nang?"

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