Vietnam’s Startup Sprint: Growth, Young Talent, and Cross-Border Collaboration | Cong-Thang Huynh and Gaku Echizenya episode artwork

EPISODE · May 30, 2025 · 32 MIN

Vietnam’s Startup Sprint: Growth, Young Talent, and Cross-Border Collaboration | Cong-Thang Huynh and Gaku Echizenya

from Startup and Nation · host Meng Fei Shen

In this episode of Startup and Nation, I sit down with Huynh Cong-Thang and Gaku Echizenya at the Sushi Tech Conference in Tokyo. Thang co-founded InnoLab Asia and is a key player in Vietnam's growing startup ecosystem, fostering connections between policymakers, startups, and corporations both domestically and internationally. Gaku, a Japanese entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in Ho Chi Minh City, heads Vietnam's largest recruitment service. We discuss Vietnam's rapid economic growth, new infrastructure developments, and the vibrant startup scene. We also touch on the opportunities and challenges in Vietnam’s market for foreign entrepreneurs and the importance of local partnerships. Tune in to learn more about Vietnam's potential as a center of innovation in Southeast Asia.00:00 Introduction: Huynh Cong-Thang and Gaku Echizenya01:32 Conference Insights: Networking and Partnerships02:47 Gaku's Journey and Perspective on Vietnam03:38 Thang's Vision for Vietnam's Future04:58 Challenges and Opportunities in Vietnam's Ecosystem07:44 Infrastructure Developments and Future Potential10:45 Building the Startup Ecosystem: Programs and Partnerships15:45 Success Stories and International Collaborations17:26 Cultural Challenges and Tips for Foreign Entrepreneurs17:57 Navigating Daily Life in Vietnam18:34 Business Ethics: Japan vs. Vietnam19:31 Advice for Foreign Startups in Vietnam22:24 Understanding the Vietnamese Market24:32 Building Partnerships in Vietnam29:33 Reflections on Sushi Tech Conference

In this episode of Startup and Nation, I sit down with Huynh Cong-Thang and Gaku Echizenya at the Sushi Tech Conference in Tokyo. Thang co-founded InnoLab Asia and is a key player in Vietnam's growing startup ecosystem, fostering connections between policymakers, startups, and corporations both domestically and internationally. Gaku, a Japanese entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in Ho Chi Minh City, heads Vietnam's largest recruitment service. We discuss Vietnam's rapid economic growth, new infrastructure developments, and the vibrant startup scene. We also touch on the opportunities and challenges in Vietnam’s market for foreign entrepreneurs and the importance of local partnerships. Tune in to learn more about Vietnam's potential as a center of innovation in Southeast Asia.00:00 Introduction: Huynh Cong-Thang and Gaku Echizenya01:32 Conference Insights: Networking and Partnerships02:47 Gaku's Journey and Perspective on Vietnam03:38 Thang's Vision for Vietnam's Future04:58 Challenges and Opportunities in Vietnam's Ecosystem07:44 Infrastructure Developments and Future Potential10:45 Building the Startup Ecosystem: Programs and Partnerships15:45 Success Stories and International Collaborations17:26 Cultural Challenges and Tips for Foreign Entrepreneurs17:57 Navigating Daily Life in Vietnam18:34 Business Ethics: Japan vs. Vietnam19:31 Advice for Foreign Startups in Vietnam22:24 Understanding the Vietnamese Market24:32 Building Partnerships in Vietnam29:33 Reflections on Sushi Tech Conference

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Vietnam’s Startup Sprint: Growth, Young Talent, and Cross-Border Collaboration | Cong-Thang Huynh and Gaku Echizenya

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In this episode of Startup and Nation, I sit down with Huynh Cong-Thang and Gaku Echizenya at the Sushi Tech Conference in Tokyo. Thang co-founded InnoLab Asia and is a key player in Vietnam's growing startup ecosystem, fostering connections between...

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