(MPI) - The Innovate Vietnam 2024 and the fifth anniversary of the National Innovation Centre (NIC) was organised in NIC Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, Hanoi on October 1.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and delegates visit innovation booths. Photo: MPI

The opening ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, leaders from ministries, sectors and localities, as well as representatives from research institutes, universities, domestic and foreign businesses, banks, investment funds, embassies, innovation experts and international organisations.

The event was an opportunity to strengthen connections between domestic and foreign firms, technology corporations, and research institutes through meetings, experience sharing, and showcase of latest tech solutions and innovative products in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and green transition.

It also highlighted NIC’s extraordinary transformation over the past five years, embodying its core values of "Aspiration - Pioneering - Breakthrough", and affirming its critical role in elevating Vietnam’s national innovation ecosystem.

Innovate Vietnam 2024 also marks the first anniversary of NIC Hoa Lac, a symbol of NIC’s mission to turn innovative ideas into reality, generate groundbreaking solutions, drive business growth, and establish the largest innovation hub in Vietnam.

In his opening speech, Minister Dung said that NIC was established by the Prime Minister on October 2, 2019, with the mission of being the driving force to promote the development of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem. Its goal is to swiftly seize the unprecedented opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, enabling Vietnam to break through and rise.

To achieve this mission, the MPI has guided the NIC through numerous challenges, focusing on advancing nine key technology sectors critical to global development, including smart manufacturing, smart cities, digital communications, cyber security, environment, healthcare, semiconductors, and hydrogen.

The ministry continues to push the NIC to vigorously execute its assigned tasks, reinforcing its position as the country’s innovation hub and helping to position Vietnam as a leading center for innovation and entrepreneurship in Asia by 2045, the minister added.

At the event, leading experts of giant tech corporations shared information about emerging technologies and their business development strategies in Vietnam, as well as discussed potential cooperation to boost the country’s innovation capacity.

Nick Clegg, Meta’s President, Global Affairs stressed Meta is honored to partner with the MPI to advance Vietnam’s AI-driven future and foster an innovation ecosystem.

As Vietnam’s potential for AI development continues to grow, Meta is committed to supporting Vietnam’s long-term vision of establishing AI as a key pillar of its digital economy. Through collaboration with the Government of Vietnam, Clegg said he looks forward to the future opportunities coming out of Vietnam.

Raymond Teh, NVIDIA’s Vice President of worldwide field operations for the Asia-Pacific region said that AI is advancing societies and economies by helping researchers and enterprises solve the world’s greatest challenges across healthcare, climate, manufacturing and more.

He stressed that working with the NIC and Vietnam's local technology ecosystem, NVIDIA will help turbocharge innovation across its industries.

The finalists of the Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2024 was presented at the event. Over six months, VIC 2024 attracted more than 750 solutions from 20 countries, offering businesses more efficient methods, streamlining processes, and generating tangible benefits for society.

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

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and MPI Minister Nguyen Chi Dung presented Prime Minister’s certificate of merit, and commemorative medals to individuals and organisations that have significantly contributed to Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem, recognizing those who have played a vital role in its growth, diversity, and connectivity.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that innovation is an important factor that contributes to improving productivity, efficiency and competitiveness of each individual and the entire economy. Innovation has truly become a key driving force in science and technology development and the national development strategy in general, as well as a key to rapid and sustainable growth.

The Prime Minister spoke highly of the efforts and significant contributions made by the NIC and the MPI, as well as sectors, localities, development partners businesses and scientists to elevating Vietnam’s science-technology and innovation position and prestige in the region and the world.

Reviewing the five-year operations of the NIC, the Prime Minister hailed that the centre has achieved initial results in terms of infrastructure and building of mechanisms and policies. Many partners have signed cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding with NIC, which show that NIC has gradually become the heart of the innovation ecosystem.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister declared October 1 as the national innovation day./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment