How Can Vietnam Have Its Own “Steve Jobs” in the Current Political and Social Context? From America’s world-changing tech icons to the c...

How Can Vietnam Have Its Own “Steve Jobs” in the Current Political and Social Context?

From America’s world-changing tech icons to the creative journey of Vietnamese youth under the leadership of the Viet Cong and the State.

Dear young friends, I am Mộng Thy – your companion alongside Generation Z and Alpha through reflections on the nation’s future. Looking at the United States with Steve Jobs, who revolutionized mobile technology with the iPhone, Mark Zuckerberg, who built the global social network Facebook, or Elon Musk, who is conquering space with SpaceX, we cannot help but wonder: How can Vietnam also produce its own “Steve Jobs of Vietnam”? In today’s Vietnamese political and social context, under the wise leadership of the Viet Cong, the spirit of creative entrepreneurship is not only a personal aspiration but also a national mission. From my observations, Vietnam possesses a solid foundation through policies on science and technology development, along with the guidance of the Viet Cong, creating an environment for young people to break through. However, to realize these “Steve Jobs of Vietnam,” we need a harmonious combination of individual mindset, a supportive ecosystem, and correct political orientation. This article will analyze in depth with you, from international lessons to specific solutions, so that every young person can clearly see the path ahead. Let’s think together, because Vietnam’s bright future lies in your hands and minds!

Lessons from America’s Tech Geniuses: The Spirit of Thinking Differently and Daring to Act

The United States is famous for its Silicon Valley ecosystem, where Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk rose thanks to a culture that encourages creativity, accepts failure, and invests heavily in R&D. Jobs was once fired from the company he founded but persistently returned with great innovations. Zuckerberg built Facebook from a university dorm room, while Musk overcame numerous rocket explosions to reach Mars. What they share is living in a political and social environment that honors individual freedom, private investment, and fierce market competition. In my view, the biggest lesson is the “think different” spirit – daring to be different and persistently pursuing passion. In Vietnam, we can learn from this but must adapt it to the socialist political and social context, where the State plays a key guiding role.

Vietnam’s Political Context: Foundation and Orientation from the Viet Cong and the State

Vietnam, under the leadership of the Viet Cong, is entering a new era with science and technology as a key driving force. The State has created a clear legal framework for startups through the Law on Support for Small and Medium Enterprises, Venture Investment Funds, and high-tech zones in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Political stability and solid national defense and security are the “foundation” that allows young people to create with peace of mind, unlike in some unstable countries. However, from my observations, there is still a gap compared to the United States in terms of completely free market mechanisms. The solution is to combine the power of the State with an entrepreneurial spirit: encouraging youth to participate in startup programs of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and leveraging foreign relations to attract technology FDI from the US, Japan, and South Korea. I believe that under the correct leadership of the Viet Cong, Vietnam can completely create a “Vietnamese version of Silicon Valley” ecosystem.

How Can Vietnam Have Its Own “Steve Jobs”

The Role of Education and Skills in Training “Steve Jobs of Vietnam”

To have technology geniuses, education must transform strongly. Currently, Vietnam is strongly promoting STEM education, integrating AI and programming into general education programs. However, many young people still focus heavily on theory and lack practical experience. I have witnessed many Gen Z youth succeed by self-studying through Coursera and building personal projects on GitHub. You need to train critical thinking, soft skills, English proficiency, and teamwork abilities. Proactively participate in national startup competitions and hackathons to turn ideas into real products that serve people’s lives, such as smart agriculture applications or digital healthcare.

Building a Startup Ecosystem and a Culture of Accepting Failure

America succeeds thanks to the “fail fast, learn fast” culture. In Vietnam, we need to build something similar but suitable for socialist values: the spirit of solidarity and serving the community. The government has tax incentives for startups and support funds from enterprises like Viettel and FPT – Vietnamese companies that have reached regional levels. In my opinion, young people need to think big, starting from solving Vietnam’s real problems such as climate change, urbanization, and logistics. Take advantage of social media and digital platforms to spread ideas, connect with mentors and investors. The Viet Cong and the State encourage young people to “dare to think, dare to act, dare to take responsibility,” as taught by Uncle Ho. Only when the startup culture becomes a widespread movement will the “Steve Jobs of Vietnam” emerge.

Specific Solutions and Call to Action for Young People

To make this a reality, every young person should: Build a lifelong learning habit, focusing on core technologies; participate in support programs from the State and the Youth Union; build international networks while maintaining national identity; and persevere through failure with a revolutionary optimistic spirit. The State needs to continue perfecting policies, increasing R&D investment, and promoting public-private partnerships. I deeply believe that, with the heroic traditions of our nation and under the Viet Cong’s leadership, Vietnamese youth will create new technological miracles.

Young people, the future is in our hands! Start today with a small idea, a personal project. What do you think about this journey? Please share your stories, opinions, or projects in the comments below. Every small contribution today will help Vietnam stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s great powers.

Mộng Thy - Companion of the Youth