Vietnam and India have taken a major leap in strengthening their innovation ecosystems with the launch of the “Startup Flight” initiative. The Vietnam National Startup Support Centre (NSSC), Amity Innovation Incubator (India), and Vietjet jointly unveiled this program in Ho Chi Minh City, marking a milestone in cross-border collaboration.
The launch ceremony gathered government representatives, city leaders, and technology experts, including scholars from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology. Their presence highlighted the seriousness of the mission: to create a strong innovation corridor between two rapidly growing economies.
Vietjet’s Role as Aviation Bridge and Innovation Enabler
As a co-founder, Vietjet has moved beyond its role as an airline to position itself as a pioneer in fostering intellectual, entrepreneurial, and investment connections. The airline has long bridged Vietnam with India through an expanding network, and now it transforms that connectivity into opportunities for startup founders.
Through Startup Flight, Vietjet links startup centers in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City with India’s most dynamic hubs: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. These cities rank among the top startup ecosystems globally, and the airline’s routes make it possible for founders to move ideas, talent, and capital across borders with speed and efficiency.
Focus Areas Driving the Initiative
Startup Flight does not open its doors to every idea—it sets clear priorities. The program focuses on four critical sectors shaping the future of both countries:
- Software, Data, and AI – Harnessing artificial intelligence and big data to solve business and societal challenges.
- E-commerce and Retail – Building platforms and models that redefine how consumers engage with markets.
- EdTech – Expanding learning opportunities through digital innovation.
- Transportation and Logistics – Creating smart, efficient, and scalable solutions for regional trade and mobility.
These sectors reflect areas where India and Vietnam already show strong momentum. By nurturing startups in these fields, the initiative aims to accelerate growth, generate jobs, and potentially create national unicorns.
Pathway for Participants
The program invites individuals or groups of up to three members from Vietnam and India to submit proposals through TheStartUpFlight.vietjetair.com before September 15, 2025.
After evaluation, the jury will select eight teams—two for each field. These finalists will embark on an actual Startup Flight with Vietjet, symbolizing their journey toward cross-border innovation.
During this phase, the selected teams will receive mentoring from seasoned founders and experts in both countries. This guidance will not only sharpen their business models but also prepare them to attract investor attention. At the final showcase, each team will pitch to investors, competing for:
- A cash prize of USD 1,000 for the winning team in each category.
- A pair of Vietjet round-trip tickets between Vietnam and India, reinforcing the program’s spirit of connectivity.
Voices from Leaders
The launch ceremony echoed with optimism and ambition. Bui Trung Thuong, Trade Counselor and Head of the Trade Office at the Embassy of Vietnam to India, emphasized India’s role as a global powerhouse of technology and innovation. He highlighted that five of Vietjet’s Indian destinations rank among the world’s top 100 startup cities. According to him, Startup Flight serves as a meaningful platform that promotes partnerships, cultural exchanges, and breakthrough ideas between the two nations.
Vietjet: More Than Just an Airline
Vietjet has already reshaped Vietnam’s aviation industry. The airline focuses on efficiency, cost management, and technological adoption. With its flexible fares and diversified services, Vietjet democratized flying for millions of passengers across Asia.
International recognition further strengthens its credibility. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) certifies Vietjet with the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit). Airlineratings.com gives the carrier a perfect 7-star safety ranking. Airfinance Journal consistently lists it among the world’s 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations. Global organizations like Skytrax and CAPA have repeatedly named it the Best Low-Cost Carrier.
This track record makes Vietjet a reliable partner not only in aviation but also in initiatives that demand trust, global networks, and innovation support.
NSSC: The National Hub for Startups
The Vietnam National Startup Support Centre (NSSC), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, acts as the country’s strategic hub for entrepreneurship. It bridges domestic ambitions with international opportunities. By supporting policy frameworks, forging alliances, and driving commercialization platforms, NSSC empowers Vietnamese startups to scale globally.
With its involvement in Startup Flight, NSSC signals Vietnam’s strong intent to build an internationally integrated startup ecosystem.
Amity Innovation Incubator: India’s Catalyst for Startups
Amity Innovation Incubator (AII), part of Amity University Uttar Pradesh, has earned recognition as one of India’s most vibrant startup accelerators. It nurtures entrepreneurs through mentorship, funding, and global exposure. AII’s collaboration with NSSC and Vietjet expands its mission beyond India, positioning it as a connector in the larger Asia-Pacific startup map.
By joining Startup Flight, Amity reinforces India’s role as a partner in shaping regional innovation. It also creates opportunities for Indian startups to enter Vietnam’s fast-emerging market while giving Vietnamese founders a gateway into India’s vast consumer base.
Strategic Importance for Vietnam and India
Both countries stand at unique moments in their economic journeys. Vietnam positions itself as Southeast Asia’s next growth engine, with a young workforce, rapid digital adoption, and strategic location in global supply chains. India, meanwhile, leads as one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems, with unicorns emerging across sectors from fintech to SaaS.
Startup Flight leverages these strengths. Vietnamese founders can learn from India’s scale, talent pool, and investment ecosystem. Indian entrepreneurs can test solutions in Vietnam’s agile market and use it as a launchpad for broader ASEAN entry. The partnership therefore creates a mutually reinforcing cycle of growth and innovation.
From Collaboration to Unicorn Creation
The initiative does not stop at contests or flights—it aims for lasting impact. By focusing on priority sectors and offering mentorship, Startup Flight envisions nurturing startups that can grow into national champions and regional unicorns. These ventures will contribute to Vietnam’s ongoing rise as a digital economy and to India’s sustained innovation leadership.
Conclusion: A Flight Toward the Future
The Startup Flight initiative demonstrates how governments, universities, and corporations can collaborate to shape the future. Vietjet provides the connectivity, NSSC offers national support, and Amity Innovation Incubator supplies incubation expertise. Together, they create an innovation bridge where ideas, talent, and investments flow freely between Vietnam and India.
The program’s symbolism is powerful: startups literally take flight as they move across borders, guided by experts and supported by governments and corporations. With applications open until September 15, 2025, young innovators in both countries now hold a golden ticket to transform ideas into scalable ventures.
As Vietnam and India step into a new era of collaboration, Startup Flight becomes more than just a program—it evolves into a movement. A movement where creativity crosses boundaries, entrepreneurs rise with wings, and the future of innovation takes flight between two nations bound by vision and opportunity.
Also Read – Women Entrepreneurs Redefine Startups in Cauvery Delta