WEB3 BUILDERS’ SUMMIT: DA NANG – THE FIRST BLOCKCHAIN DEVELOPER COMMUNITY CONFERENCE IN DA NANG

On November 22, 2024, the “Web3 Builders’ Summit” was held for the first time in Da Nang, aiming to lay the groundwork for the city to become a Web3 development hub in Vietnam and the region, in alignment with the recently launched “National Blockchain Strategy” by the government.

The event, co-organized by the Da Nang Business Incubator – DNES, sqrDAO, SuperteamVN, and the Da Nang Web3 Developer Community, brought together more than 100 founders, experts, and influencers in the blockchain field from both domestic and international circles.

The conference began with the Da Nang Tech Tour – a visit to the offices of tech/Web3 startups and leading technology training institutions in Da Nang, with the first stop being the University of Science and Technology, Da Nang.

Visit to the University of Science and Technology, Da Nang

Sharing sessions at NAPA Global

Insights from Vietnam Innovation Hub representatives

Later that afternoon, the “Web3 Builders’ Summit: Da Nang” officially kicked off with four in-depth panel discussions about the state of Web3 development in Vietnam in general and Da Nang in particular.

At the inaugural “Vietnam OGs – Untold Stories” panel discussion, Mr. Pham Bao Long (founder of SqrDAO) skillfully guided the conversation and connected CEOs from foreign technology companies such as Kyber Network, Birdeye, and Krystal around the theme of “untold stories about Web3 in Vietnam.”

With over seven years of persistent blockchain development in Vietnam since its nascent stage, Mr. Tran Huy Vu, Co-founder of Kyber Network, emphasized: “In the Web3 world, success isn’t just about market cap or user numbers; it’s about the long-term value we create for the community.” Drawing from his experience with Kyber Network, he encouraged young founders to “think big, work long-term,” and focus on solving real market problems.

Following up, Mr. Nguyen The Kha, Founder & CEO of Birdeye, impressed the audience with his candid discussion of failures in his entrepreneurial journey. He shared: “Failure isn’t the end. It’s an opportunity to reflect, improve, and do better.” According to Mr. Nguyen The Kha, in the volatile Web3 space, flexibility and adaptability to change are key to moving forward.

Panel Discussion 1: Vietnam OGs – Untold Stories

Although the youngest speaker at the event, Nguyen Viet Dung, Founder & CEO of Krystal, brought a true “builder” spirit to the summit by highlighting the community’s role in the Web3 ecosystem. He stated: “Without the community, Web3 is just dry technology. Build things that make people genuinely feel the value of decentralization.” Mr. Nguyen Viet Dung also shared how Krystal leveraged user feedback to improve products and actively engaged with the community daily.

The second discussion with the theme “The Rise of Blockchain in Vietnam,” provided participants with a comprehensive view of blockchain development in Vietnam, from opportunities to major challenges.

Mr. Nguyen Van Vu, Co-founder of Mirai Labs, emphasized that blockchain in Vietnam has moved beyond the experimental phase and is becoming a tool to solve real-world problems. According to him, challenges like scalability, high gas fees, and user experience need to be addressed for blockchain to create sustainable value. He said, “The success of blockchain isn’t just in technology but in how it improves lives.”

Meanwhile, Alexandra Thanh-Mai Herbert, Founder of RISE Chain, shared her vision of a blockchain platform 100 times faster, aiming to enhance connectivity between organizations, businesses, and communities. She likened blockchain to a bridge connecting dreams and reality, noting that building this bridge requires trust and cooperation from many parties. With a young and creative workforce, she believes Vietnam has the potential to become a global blockchain hub.

Wrapping up the second session, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Long, Co-founder & CTO of Aura Network, urged developers to focus on long-term value instead of chasing short-term profits. He shared: “Build sustainably – there’s no such thing as short-term success.” For blockchain to thrive in Vietnam, a clear strategy, investment in people, and community education about the benefits of technology are essential.

The discussion concluded with a common message: blockchain is not just technology but a sustainable ecosystem with immense potential to change society.

Panel Discussion 2: Vietnam Blockchain – Ready to Conquer the World!

The third session on “Building and Growing Globally-Ready Teams from Vietnam” captivated attention with valuable insights from three speakers: Ms. Tran Kieu Diem, CEO of Orochi Network, Ms. Trinh Thi Ngoc Tram, Director of KyberSwap, and Ms. Tran Pham Viet Thao, Founder of Vamient Capital, moderated by Mr. Tran Tien Anh, Director of Superteam in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Ms. Tran Kieu Diem shared that building a brand on social media enhances the international visibility of Vietnamese developers because “despite excellent technical skills, many Vietnamese teams miss opportunities due to limited public presence.” Following her, Ms. Trinh Thi Ngoc Tram pointed out that success stems not only from technical innovation but also from prioritizing user-centricity. She added: “Founders should prioritize user feedback and build communities to ensure product-market fit.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Tran Pham Viet Thao emphasized the importance of a long-term vision to attract international capital, stating: “Projects need to go beyond short-term hype and focus on building credibility to win investors’ trust.”

The panelists agreed that for global success, Vietnamese Web3 projects must overcome branding barriers, focus on users, develop sustainable communities, and adopt international standards to position Vietnam as a global technology hub in the blockchain sector.

Panel Discussion 3: “Building a Global Workforce – Starting from Vietnam

As the final session before the summit concluded, the discussion “What Should Da Nang Do to Become a Global Web3 Hub?” provided profound insights into the city’s potential in the Web3 space. Mr. Le Thanh Tung, Founder & CEO of Decentralab, remarked that Da Nang is fertile ground for groundbreaking Web3 ideas, stressing that the city’s strategic location and supportive government policies are key factors in making it an ideal destination for Web3 projects. As the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Startup and Innovation Support Center, Mr. Vo Duc Anh shared: “The Da Nang government always provides the best conditions for innovation,” citing Resolution 136/2024/QH15 as a typical example of a legal foundation to attract investment.

Panel Discussion 4: Da Nang – The New Regional Web3 Hub

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Minh from BAP Software stated: “Technology will drive Da Nang forward, but it requires the collaboration of large enterprises,” highlighting the significant role of major tech companies in building the Web3 ecosystem. Finally, a representative from Swiss EP, Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong, concluded: “International cooperation and connectivity are the keys to the long-term development of Web3 in Da Nang,” reaffirming that collaboration with international partners is crucial to establishing Da Nang as a global Web3 hub.

The Web3 Builders’ Summit: Da Nang 2024 concluded successfully with four in-depth panel discussions, providing critical insights and strategies for the development of the Web3 industry in Vietnam and the region. Speakers shared valuable perspectives and experiences, from building global teams to developing the Web3 ecosystem in Da Nang. In the panel on “Building and Growing Global Teams,” experts emphasized the importance of connecting local talent with international opportunities, developing the Web3 community, and applying global standards to attract investment. 

Meanwhile, the discussion on Da Nang outlined a clear direction for the city to become a leading Web3 hub in the region, supported by government policies, collaboration between major enterprises, and international partnerships. All these elements underscore that success in the Web3 world requires cooperation, innovation, and the ability to overcome technical barriers, paving the way for Vietnam and Da Nang to rise in the global tech industry.