From experimenting with robots, autonomous vehicles, and drones, startups are looking forward to a one-stop mechanism for the sandbox framework, aiming to drive breakthrough innovations under Resolution 57.
In the realm of startups and entrepreneurship support, the term “sandbox” refers to a pilot framework that allows startups to test new technologies and business models in a real-world environment. A well-executed sandbox mechanism can serve as a catalyst for groundbreaking developments.
VietnamNet recently conducted an interview with Dr. Le Anh Son, Vice Director of the Phenikaa Institute of Research & Technology and CEO of Phenikaa-X, to discuss this crucial topic.
“A Startup Cannot Navigate All Ministries and Agencies Alone”
– Resolution 57-NQ/TW, which focuses on breakthroughs in scientific and technological development, innovation, and national digital transformation, has just been approved by the Politburo. What is your assessment of this resolution?
Dr. Le Anh Son: The startup community holds this resolution in high regard, recognizing its transformative potential. However, we are all eagerly awaiting specific guidelines and action plans to bring its impact into reality.
– What specific aspects are you most anticipating?
The sandbox framework is our top priority. We hope that this experimental mechanism will no longer require navigating multiple bureaucratic gateways but instead be streamlined into a one-stop system. Currently, any truly innovative idea often requires approvals from multiple ministries and agencies, making it extremely difficult for startups to navigate the system alone.
Therefore, our biggest expectation is a single access point for the sandbox. If startups can directly propose sandbox initiatives to the government without excessive bureaucratic layers, it will accelerate innovation. In fast-moving industries, excessive delays and red tape could cost startups critical opportunities—especially when other countries already have dedicated regulatory frameworks for testing new technologies.
Furthermore, a more flexible regulatory environment—one that shifts away from a restrictive “if we can’t manage it, we ban it” mindset—would be instrumental in fostering an innovation-friendly landscape. Accepting calculated risks in research and business model implementation is essential for startups to thrive.
Secondly, the tech community is looking forward to comprehensive support for building a robust technological ecosystem. This requires participation from large corporations, SMEs, and startups, alongside flexible financial mechanisms and strong investments in future-oriented technologies, regardless of public or private ownership.
Many countries operate state-backed venture capital funds, investing directly in promising startups that align with national strategic technology goals. However, equal treatment between public and private sector investments is crucial to ensure fairness.
Additionally, such investment funds should include expert advisory boards comprising specialists from various industries to evaluate promising startups, disruptive ideas, and feasible technologies. A dedicated council should provide guidance and post-investment support to help startups scale.
Lastly, a less restrictive approach to investment oversight is essential. Startups need the freedom to innovate, and excessive government control could stifle creativity and motivation, ultimately hindering the very breakthroughs that the sandbox framework is meant to foster.
– The resolution mentions the role of large enterprises in leading innovation. In your opinion, how can these enterprises provide support?
Large enterprises or those with strategic vision play a crucial role. It is essential to clearly identify our existing advantages, thoroughly analyze global market trends, and determine which high-potential, groundbreaking sectors to focus on.
We cannot develop all core technologies or simply follow other countries in areas that lack potential or competitive advantage. Therefore, the guidance and strategic direction of large enterprises are extremely important.
These enterprises must be required to invest in research and development, collaborate with and support startups by providing infrastructure, setting strategic directions, standardizing processes, and developing shared digital infrastructure and platforms. It is also important to avoid acquisitions that stifle the creativity that startups bring.
For instance, if we focus on artificial intelligence, we need large-scale AI factories. In this case, what kind of support should the government or large enterprises provide? One possible approach is to establish a shared server system that all startups can utilize, enabling them to grow. However, achieving this will require significant procedural breakthroughs to ensure startups can quickly and easily participate.
Secondly, when the government focuses on a particular sector and invests in a major company, that company must distribute tasks to smaller firms, leveraging the entire nation’s resources. In reality, many Vietnamese tech companies are capable of handling such work—it is simply a matter of whether we are willing to give them the opportunity and accept the initial challenges.
For startups to survive, market access is also essential. Beyond supporting product development, there must be continued assistance in market expansion. The government, in particular, can serve as the first customer for startups, accompanying them from the outset to help establish the market. This requires substantial government support.
– Do you have any additional recommendations?
The government should review and address obstacles related to investment mechanisms, tax policies, and the business environment to ensure that enterprises continue to choose Vietnamese companies for investment. This would prevent situations where startups, in search of foreign investment, feel compelled to relocate to countries like Singapore to establish their businesses.
I hope the government will explore solutions to attract more global investors.
Breakthrough in Experimentation: “Hoping for an Autonomous Bus Route”
– As a leading innovation-driven company, has Phenikaa-X encountered any challenges in its projects?
Phenikaa-X is conducting trials on multiple technology projects. Our smart factory initiative is no longer in the experimental phase and has already been delivered to FDI customers. For instance, Samsung is currently using Phenikaa-X’s robots in its manufacturing plants. Additionally, we are testing a “5G Private Network” in collaboration with major partners in select areas, aiming to develop smart factories and smart cities.
Beyond that, Phenikaa-X is also researching drone technology (unmanned aerial vehicles) and has developed several AI-powered drone models, particularly for monitoring large forested areas using artificial intelligence. However, drone technology requires a proper regulatory framework for testing. While government ministries and agencies have been very supportive—our drones have been tested in Hà Tĩnh with approval from the Ministry of National Defense—greater support is still needed.
Regarding autonomous vehicles, Phenikaa-X has been granted permission to conduct trial runs in isolated areas. However, we strongly hope for approval to test these vehicles on public roads to collect real-world data, as data acquisition is a critical bottleneck in the application of artificial intelligence.
– How have regulatory authorities explained their reluctance to allow autonomous vehicles to be tested on public roads?
Innovation means creating entirely new products to solve existing challenges, and some research in this field must be conducted 5 to 10 years ahead of practical implementation to prepare for future transitions. Specifically for autonomous vehicles, there are currently no specific regulations or certification procedures to assess safety and compliance for driverless vehicles.
Without proper certification, these vehicles cannot legally operate on public roads. Meanwhile, major global economies have been investing heavily in autonomous vehicle research and have established regulatory frameworks to facilitate testing. Autonomous vehicles rely extensively on artificial intelligence for analyzing surroundings, determining navigation paths, identifying objects on the road, and autonomously planning travel routes.
In developed countries, nearly all major companies are engaged in autonomous vehicle research. Nations like the U.S., Germany, Japan, and South Korea have collectively invested billions of dollars into this field. For example, in the U.S., the National Automated Highway System has allocated approximately $650 million to accelerate the development of autonomous transportation technology.
Moreover, major companies such as Tesla, Waymo, and Toyota receive support through public-private funding for their research. They have also established flexible and fast-moving regulatory frameworks. For instance, states like California, Nevada, and Michigan have been issuing testing permits since 2015. The United Kingdom is pushing forward the Automated Vehicles Bill to support deployment by 2026, while China has allowed autonomous vehicle testing and is actively developing an open and connected smart transportation infrastructure.
– What is the current regulatory status of Phenikaa-X’s autonomous vehicles?
Phenikaa-X has been granted a permit for experimental deployment in designated isolated areas, with strict commitments to safety and compliance with legal regulations. We strongly hope for further support from the government, ministries, agencies, and local authorities to enable broader pilot applications. Japan, for example, is currently testing autonomous vehicles in over 100 areas, with 50 of them receiving government funding under the Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP).
Collaboration and support from government agencies also provide valuable insights into technical requirements, helping to shape legal frameworks and regulations. This approach allows authorities to develop laws in parallel with startups like us, ensuring a more adaptive and supportive regulatory environment.
– Grab was granted a pilot program in Vietnam and has since achieved considerable success. In your opinion, why hasn’t autonomous vehicle technology been able to follow a similar path?
Autonomous robots, self-driving cars, and unmanned aerial vehicles significantly impact human safety. From the outset, it is impossible to guarantee 100% safety—just as human drivers are not immune to accidents. The key question is how incidents will be handled. Will the regulatory sandbox accept these risks? Who will take responsibility—corporate legal representatives, the government, or another entity?
If legal representatives of companies are held liable for every potential issue, will anyone dare to invest in this field? If research is conducted on a small scale, it will not reach technological viability; if conducted on a large scale, some accidents will inevitably occur.
Vietnam has significant advantages, including a strong talent pool in artificial intelligence, advanced software development capabilities, and one of the world’s most complex traffic environments. If we invest in this sector and achieve success here, we can certainly export our solutions globally. With government and local support for pilot projects—such as dedicated autonomous bus routes for tourists—I believe this could be a breakthrough for the future.
Grab’s success stemmed from obtaining a regulatory permit for pilot operations. For a startup, securing such approval is a major milestone. Similarly, if we are granted permission to operate autonomous vehicles on public roads, it would be a significant leap forward.
Thank you for the conversation!
Source: Vietnamnet