Ho Chi Minh City Opens Interest Subsidized Loans of Up to VND200 Billion for Businesses and Startups
Businesses in Ho Chi Minh City can now borrow up to $7.7 million for a single project in a priority sector, with the city budget covering part or all of the interest.
Under Resolution 09/2023/NQ-HĐND, the Ho Chi Minh City Finance and Investment State-owned Company (HFIC) will provide direct loans and syndicated loans, while the city budget covers the interest cost. Construction projects can receive support covering up to 70% of total investment capital, while technology and equipment projects can receive up to 85%.
To qualify, projects must align with the city's socio economic development plan and be evaluated by HFIC for feasibility and repayment capacity, and businesses must not have already signed contracts with contractors or suppliers for the construction, equipment, or technology items seeking support.
Mekong Capital Prioritizes Backing Already Profitable Companies
F88 and Gene Solutions, two companies in Mekong Capital’s portfolio, are preparing to go public. Pawnshop chain F88 is in the process of moving its listing from UPCoM to HoSE, while gene testing company Gene Solutions plans to list in Hong Kong between the second and third quarters of 2027. For Gene Solutions specifically, the company aims to raise $100 million from the listing to expand its international operations.
The fact that both companies are moving closer to the stock market reflects the investment strategy Mekong Capital is pursuing: prioritizing companies with real revenue and profit. The fund doesn’t focus on companies built primarily around AI. For the companies Mekong Capital invests in, AI is merely a supporting tool used to cut operating costs or improve the customer experience.
Alongside these deals, Mekong Capital is raising its sixth fund, called the Mekong Earth Regeneration Fund, which invests in agricultural companies applying low emission farming methods, soil restoration, and climate adaptation practices in Vietnam and Laos. The Green Climate Fund (GCF), the world’s largest climate fund dedicated to financing climate response projects in developing countries, has agreed to commit $50 million to the Mekong Earth Regeneration Fund. This is the first capital the fund has received, giving Mekong Capital a foundation to raise further funding from other investors.
M Village Successfully Raises $26 Million
M Village has raised $26 million in a new funding round, with Mizuho Asia Partners contributing $18 million and existing investor Trip.com adding $8 million. The round comes as M Village shifts from a co-living model to a multi brand, multi segment hospitality ecosystem.
M Village currently operates 53 properties across Vietnam, offering short and long term stays alongside coworking spaces, dining, healthcare, and community services. In May 2026, the company rebranded as Modern Village Lifestyle, with the goal of restructuring the group and expanding its portfolio of accommodation brands to serve multiple segments, including hotels and resorts operating to five star standards.
Beyond equity funding, M Village is also the first startup in Vietnam to secure a medium term loan from OCB without collateral, giving the company an additional funding channel alongside capital from investors.
Vietnam Enters Top 50 Global Startup Ecosystems
Vietnam has entered the Top 50 global startup ecosystems for the first time in StartupBlink’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, rising five places from 2025 to its highest ranking ever. The data shows Vietnam’s startup ecosystem grew 67.9%, nearly four times the global average of 17.5%, placing Vietnam 5th in Southeast Asia and 10th in Asia.
StartupBlink values Vietnam’s startup ecosystem at $75.1 billion, anchored by two unicorns, MoMo and Sky Mavis. Fintech remains the strongest sector, ranking 39th globally and 9th in Asia Pacific. Vietnam also ranks 2nd in Southeast Asia for startup ecosystem brand value.
Vietnam now has four cities in the global Top 1,000 startup ecosystems: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hai Phong. Ho Chi Minh City entered the global top 100 for the first time, climbing 12 places to rank 98th, and now leads the country in ecosystem maturity while ranking 60th globally in fintech and 70th in blockchain. However, this growth isn’t confined to Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi rose 30 places to 118th, while Da Nang recorded the biggest jump among Vietnamese cities, climbing 212 places to 554th. Hai Phong also entered the global top 1,000 startup ecosystems for the first time this year.
Vietnam Changes How It Competes For Foreign Capital
In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam attracted $38.06 billion in registered FDI, up 58% year on year. Disbursed FDI reached $15.2 billion, the highest in five years. Vietnam is also changing how it attracts FDI, shifting its focus toward technology and innovation, with an emphasis on creating value domestically.
Under Resolution 10-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo, Vietnam is no longer relying solely on cheap labor and tax incentives to attract foreign investors. Instead, the government wants to boost the economy’s appeal through better infrastructure, a highly skilled workforce, research and development, and the ability to absorb advanced technology. Sectors such as semiconductors, AI, and data centers will also get faster processing mechanisms.
Talent has also become part of the country’s competitiveness. Vietnam is proposing to simplify visa and work permit procedures for foreign experts and engineers, while increasing support for high skilled domestic talent.
For the 2026 to 2030 period, Vietnam aims to attract $200 to 300 billion in new FDI and bring around 10,000 domestic companies into FDI supply chains, including 500 to 1,000 Tier 1 suppliers.
Vietnam is working toward an environment with enough infrastructure, talent, and links to domestic businesses to retain more technology and economic value from foreign capital inflows.
Genesia Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm operating in Japan and Southeast Asia, with a strong belief in the long-term potential of Vietnam’s digital economy. Beyond providing capital, the fund actively supports startups through strategic guidance and connections to a broader regional network.