DNO - At the ongoing SURF 2025 - Da Nang Innovation Startup Festival, digital technology emerged as the dominant force, with over 40 outstanding startup models centered on tech-based solutions.
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The Skoolib project showcases its standout features at SURF 2025. Photo: Vinh Hoang
Recently held at the National Guest House, Da Nang, SURF 2025 showcased startups across agriculture, crafts and services. Yet, the digital technology zone attracted the largest crowds of investors, visitors, and experts.
Among the standouts was Skoolib, a smart library management platform founded by Ngo Tan Tien, also the creator of Handy Library. Initially designed for personal use, Skoolib evolved after Tien’s experience working with libraries and research centers in Europe. He discovered widespread inefficiencies in book tracking, data synchronization, and search systems—gaps that Skoolib now seeks to fill.
Launched in 2023, Skoolib offers features such as multi-library connectivity, intuitive borrowing management, international-standard book recommendations, and classification by genre, location, and language. The platform targets schools, research institutions and public libraries.
It has been selected for Da Nang’s DVAS 2025 startup accelerator and supported by the Da Nang Business Incubator (DNES), with pilot programmes already underway at several locations.
Another key exhibitor was Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Corporation (AIAIVN) based in Da Nang, a domestic generative AI firm.
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AIAIVN’s solutions have been practically implemented, offering greater convenience to both locals and tourists. Photo: Vinh Hoang
The company introduced a suite of GenAI-powered tools for the tourism industry, including multilingual chatbots, smart kiosks, and robotic tour guides. These technologies are being piloted at the Museum of Da Nang, with plans to expand to airports and eco-tourism sites.
What set SURF 2025 apart was not just the quality of ideas, but the maturity of many projects, thanks to strong support from relevant local agencies. Da Nang is clearly positioning itself as a regional leader in smart, tech-driven development.
