On October 21, 2023, in Buon Ma Thuot City, Design Thinking Village - Techfest VN, under the guidance of the Market Development and Science and Technology Business Department (NATEC), the National Creative Startup Center (NSSC), in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Investment of Dak Lak Province and the Department of Science and Technology of Gia Lai Province, will organize the MegaCity Connect Program, titled "Rainforest Ecosystem Connecting Startups and Innovation".

Ms. Duong Tuong Nhi - Head of Design Thinking Village - TECHFEST Vietnam shared information about the Forum

Design Thinking Village is a part of the National Techfest - a project to build an ecosystem for innovative startups (Project 844, approved by the government in 2025, led by the Ministry of Science and Technology).

Enterprises of Dak Lak province participate in experiential activities at the Forum

Developing an ecosystem for innovative startups is one of the central tasks of Design Thinking, with the goal of connecting various components of the ecosystem, including the government, experts, mentors, institutions, schools, investment funds, startups, and businesses.

Diversity, richness, and close connections among the components of the ecosystem are prerequisites for creating a supportive environment for innovative businesses, contributing to the success of a creative and sustainable economy.

Design Village signed with Dak Lak Provincial Trade and Investment Promotion Center to support startups

Innovation is the key to success and development in business. Design Thinking is a method that allows participants in the ecosystem to apply it to their work and collective tasks of their organizations. The purpose of Design Thinking is to provide a standardized innovation process for all experts to develop creative solutions to problems.

Experts signed a cooperation agreement with the Design Thinking village

Innovation is defined as a product, process, service, or business model that is both novel and useful. However, innovation must benefit users or consumers. Design Thinking brings about the changes needed to inspire impactful solutions.

Design thinking is a mindset and approach for problem-solving and innovation based on a human-centered design. Design thinking differs from other innovation and ideation processes in that it is solution-focused and places the user at the center rather than focusing solely on the problem. This means it concentrates on solutions to a problem rather than the problem itself.

The first and arguably most important step in Design Thinking is building empathy with the users. By understanding those affected by a problem, more effective solutions can be found. In addition to empathy, Design Thinking focuses on observing product interactions, drawing conclusions from research, and ensuring users remain at the center of the final implementation process.

Design Thinking Village has successfully applied Design Thinking to its activities and projects for over a year.

Currently, Design Thinking Village is running two programs: MegaCity Connect, which connects regions, and MegaUniversity Connect, connecting institutions, schools, and businesses, with the goal of fostering innovation and creativity in education and training.

The village has more than 10 projects, including initiatives like Building the Creative Startup Culture in Rainforest, Innovation Study, Innovation Action, Innovation & Happiness, Design Thinking Club, Innovation Music, VN Innovation Champions, Business Innovation & Growth Program (BIG Program), VN Innovation Tour, and Open Innovation Bank (OIB), MegaCity Connect - Caravan.

Design Thinking Village Management Board consists of nearly 28 Village Leaders and more than 400 experts from various fields. It is a mini ecosystem, including pioneers with deep expertise in areas such as information technology, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, innovative business coaching, mentoring, and personal development training, who hold leadership positions in various companies, institutions, and government bodies. Participants come from various provinces, including HCM, Hanoi, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dak Nong, Dak Lak, and others.

In 2024, Design Thinking Village aims to collaborate with government departments, institutions, and schools to implement the Rainforest Canvas framework in local ecosystem development activities, new business ecosystems, regional connectivity ecosystems, combining it with Design Thinking - putting people at the center of activities to promote a creative economy.