Full text of Mr. Hoàng Đức Trung's speech at the Announcement Ceremony of the establishment of HCMC Venture Investment Fund

Speech by Mr. Hoàng Đức Trung — Director of HCMC Venture Investment Fund (HCM VIF), and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) VinaCapital Ventures — at the Ceremony to announce the establishment of HCM VIF JSC Minh, April 17, 2026. The content below is posted verbatim.

Dear representative of Central Steering Committee 57,

Dear Mr. Vu Hai Quan - Minister of Science and Technology,

Dear Mr. Tran Luu Quang - Secretary of the City Party Committee Ho Chi Minh City,

Dear Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc - Chairman of People's Committee Ho Chi Minh City,

Dear delegates and startup community,

Before speaking, I would like to repeat a very inspirational saying of Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc - Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee shared at ZXQ's investor conferenceKEEP00002XQZ:

If you want to find opportunities, go to Vietnam, if you want to get rich, go to Ho Chi Minh City! 10 years.

This is not simply a financial number, but the belief of city leaders and people to create a breakthrough in innovation and develop the city's technological appearance. With these resources and motivation, we are no longer in the position of "observing", but it is time for us to start "creating".

First, becoming the "Seed capital" that leads the market

The scale of VND 500 billion is a driving force to create strong pushes. We set a goal that each dollar of investment capital will be a "magnet" to attract at least 3 to 5 additional dollars from private and international investment funds. This fund will play a pioneering role, directing capital flows into key areas that the market is leaving open or afraid of risks.

Second, implement the strategy of "Investment in depth"

We do not make small, scattered investments. We are responsible for selecting the best "seeds" from the "nurseries" in the city.

• Focus on capital calling rounds Series A and B - these are the stages when Vietnamese startups are most thirsty for capital to break through in scale.
• Priority to invest in core technologies, true digital transformation green solutions according to the direction of the Resolution The first Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress, term 2025 - 2030 and the spirit of Resolution No. 57 on breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

Third, building a "Governance system according to national standards international”

A fund of 500 billion VND requires a professional and standard operating system, so we must:

• Absolute transparency: All investment decisions are based on data, effectiveness and real potential.
• Companion thinking: The fund not only provides capital, but also supports startups in terms of management, networking and sharing experiences, becoming a friend and trusted partner trusted.

Fourth, long-term vision: turning potential into assets

500 billion VND is the launch pad for us to realise the aspiration of Ho Chi Minh City becoming the leading "technology centre" in the region. I believe that, in the future, when it comes to the success of typical startups in Vietnam, the imprint of HCMC Venture Investment Fund will be clearly present as a key accompanying factor.

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

Great resources come with great responsibility, and above all, the trust and expectations of city leaders for this fund. We commit to doing our best to turn this capital into a new growth engine for the city. Because, we are not just investing in startups, we are investing in the future of a megacity.

By the way, I would also like to send my deep thanks to:

• Mr. Tran Luu Quang - Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, who pioneered inviting investors to contribute capital to establish the fund from the City Leaders meeting with the science, technology and innovation community on December 9, 2025 at the Ho Chi Minh City Creative Startup Centre. Minh.
• City leaders, with the spirit of daring to think, daring to do, close guidance and high determination in promoting innovation and economic development.
• Relevant departments and branches, especially the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Finance, have always accompanied wholeheartedly, fiercely in the process of building and deploying the fund.
• The business community and investors - those who have placed their trust, demonstrated a pioneering spirit and contributed to creating an innovation ecosystem that is moving strongly every day.

We believe and expect to continue to receive the attention, cooperation and companionship of all of you, to together turn existing strategic directions and resources into specific, practical results, contributing to the sustainable development of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general.

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

In today's announcement, on behalf of the Company, I would like to inform the City's creative startup community of 02 main programmes that will take place in the near future:

• The company will organise a competition to create a brand identity: expected to start from the first week of May.
• Plan to receive applications for investment consideration: expected to be implemented at the beginning of the quarter III/2026.

Detailed information will soon be announced on the Company's website.

Thank you very much!