Vietnam businesses face capital and tax challenges

Science and technology enterprises in Vietnam are facing significant hurdles in accessing capital. According to the 2025 Vietnam Private Economic Report by VCCI, 52.2% of businesses encounter funding difficulties. A primary obstacle is that intangible assets—such as intellectual property, software, and human expertise—cannot easily be used as collateral for loans, unlike traditional business assets.

Furthermore, many startups in green energy and smart technology struggle with strict requirements, such as the need for three consecutive years of profitable financial statements to access environmental funds. Research collaboration remains low, with only 1.4% of businesses partnering with universities.

To support economic growth, Vietnam is implementing tax policies for 2026 focused on three pillars: reducing tax obligations, supporting cash flow, and lowering compliance costs. This includes extending the 2% Value Added Tax (VAT) reduction from 10% to 8% through the end of 2026, which aims to provide businesses with more resources for production and investment.