(MPI) - The inauguration ceremony of the National Innovation Center at Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park (NIC Hoa Lac) and the opening of the Vietnam International Innovation Expo (VIIE) 2023 was held on October 28, which marked an important milestone in creating Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.

Minister of Planning and Investmet Nguyen Chi Dung speaks at the inauguration. Photo: MPI

Minister Nguyen Chi Dung highlighted the important meaning of the event in promoting national innovation activities, connecting communities in the innovation ecosystem, and introducing both Vietnamese and international typical innovative technologies and products.

Knowing that science, technology and innovation is the shortest way for Vietnam to catch up, move forward and surpass in the region and the world, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has submitted to the Prime Minister for approving the National strategy on the fourth Industrial Revolution towards 2030 and proposed establishing a national innovation center.

The MPI minister said, his ministry also established the Vietnam Innovation Network to connect the world’s leading Vietnamese science and technology experts. NIC will the nucleus to promote the national innovation ecosystem, helping Vietnam seize once-in-a-generation opportunity of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The NIC connects not only the domestic innovation ecosystem but also the innovation network around the world, contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s mission of becoming an innovation hub in the region and the world.

He added, the VIIE 2023 will be the convergence of innovative subjects, resources, ideas, and will connect to create new, breakthrough and high-added value technological solutions and products that spread the innovation spirit to people. This is also to help the country to enhance its role in the innovation map.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the event. Photo: MPI

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the world is increasingly developing based on advanced science and technology, innovation and creativity. Innovation is becoming an inevitable trend, a strategic choice, an objective requirement and top priority for the country to realise the aspiration of building a strong and prosperous nation with wealthy and happy people.

The Prime Minister affirmed that independence, self-reliance and international integration with advances in science-technology and innovation will help Vietnam catch up, move forward and surpass with the world on the rapid and sustainable development path.

The Party and State have paid attention to and issued many policies and guidelines to direct the development of science and technology and innovation, considering it as a top national policy.

The Government has been also implementing specific action programmes to step up the comprehensive development of the innovation ecosystem, create an environment to promote research and development (R&D), application of science and technology, and technology transfer.

“We can believe that the NIC Hoa Lac will create a new innovation space for the country, clearly demonstrate the spirit of daring to think, daring to do, daring to innovate for development, and become a model of innovation of Vietnam; the centre will create new symbol for Vietnam an innovation destination”, the Prime Minister noted.

The VIIE 2023 significantly introduces the image of a “innovative nation” to the public and the international community, and showing the country’s potential, advantages and progress in innovation, as well as its access and application of the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s achievements in building the nation.

In order to maximise efficiency for NIC, Prime Minister Chinh assigned the MPI, the Ministry of Science and Technology, Hanoi and other ministries, agencies and businesses to make greater efforts and fully tap cooperation opportunities with international partners.

The Prime Minister asked for perfection in institutions and policies for innovation activities in Vietnam, thus promptly meeting the practical development requirements of ecosystem actors, especially innovative businesses and startups.

Secondly, building strategies, plans, and action programmes that focus on developing science and technology and innovation that bringing high-added value for Vietnam, such as semiconductor industry, green hydrogen technology, healthcare, education, and artificial intelligence.

Thirdly, encouraging the effective, sustainable and comprehensive cooperation of the innovation ecosystem. Fourthly, promoting international cooperation to leverage the potential of science, technology and innovation. Fifthy, continuing to improve mechanisms for the centre activities in order to attract partners and build R&D centers./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment