On April 20, 2023, in Hanoi, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) organized a Ceremony of National Innovation Day 2023 with the theme "Innovation - The foundation for Development of Modern Nation". The event is part of activities aimed at celebrating Vietnam Science and Technology Day (May 18).

Attending the event were representatives of leaders from ministries, departments, central and local departments, research institutes, universities, associations, enterprises, representatives of international organizations...

Overview of National Innovation Day 2023

Speech at the ceremony, Permanent Deputy Minister of MOST Tran Van Tung said that according to the 2022 Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking announced by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Vietnam has Evaluation of innovation capacity ranks in the highest group among developing countries, at position 48/132 countries and economies; holds the 4th position in Southeast Asia, after Singapore (7th), Malaysia (36th) and Thailand (43rd). Vietnam's innovative startup ecosystem is ranked 54th in the world, 12th in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022 (according to Startup Blink). These rankings demonstrate Vietnam's potential and resilience in a context of difficulties and challenges.

Deputy Ministrer Tran Van Tung gave his speech in the Ceremony

Recently, MOST has made efforts to build and complete the legal corridor to promote the development of science, technology and innovation; to seek, connect, take advantage of the assistance and cooperation of countries and international organizations... Channels to support and promote this activity are increasingly diverse and rich, such as: Promoting development of S&T enterprises; Encouraging businesses to research and innovate technology, attracting good foreign experts, and supporting innovative startups through funding from the National Science and Technology Development Fund, National Technology Innovation Fund and other nationalS&T programs. ...

According to Deputy Minister Tran Van Tung, S&T innovation to generate added value and solve challenges/problems of the community and society needs to become a guidelivicene for the actions of the whole country. Therefore, joining hands to build and develop the national innovation system, startup ecosystem, develop the education and training system in the direction of innovation, promote commercialization, exploit and develop IPR, forming and developing a system of science, technology and innovation enterprises, developing a system of globally linked innovation centers and networks are difficult and challenging tasks, but needs to be implemented soon.

Emphasized that creative innovation is at the heart of sustainable development, Mr. Christian Manhart, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, said that as the world becomes more and more developed and volatile, innovative solutions become more and more necessary. Many crises we are facing in the world today require groundbreaking solutions.

Mr. Christian Manhart, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam

"Innovation and creativity do not come naturally. We need a favorable environment to promote it. The key here is a quality education for everyone," Mr. Christian Manhart recommended. .

Mr. Christian Manhart highly appreciated the active participation of the Vietnamese Government at the 2022 Transforming Education Summit (TES) in New York and the active implementation of commitments in these key areas, especially in prioritizing the development of quality, equitable and inclusive education for all.

The fields of STEM, science & technology, engineering and mathematics are particularly important incubators for future innovation. In fact, by 2050, it is predicted that 75% of jobs globally will be STEM-related. Today, the proportion of female college graduates in STEM fields in Vietnam is 36.5%. Encouraging and supporting girls to pursue STEM fields is essential, not only from a gender equality perspective but also as a driver of future innovation.

According to Mr. Christian Manhart, a favorable environment for innovation also includes empowering young people. It is necessary to establish platforms for young people to speak up and realize their ideas and initiatives, so that they can actively contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam.

According to Mr. Vu Van Tich, Head of the Department of Science and Technology (Hanoi National University), in nearly 40 years of innovation in Vietnam, with the dismantling of the planned management mechanism of contracting out to output products has brought Vietnam into what it is today. After more than 30 years of integration, our country's economy has integrated well with the world economy and the business system has developed strongly.

Mr. Vu Van Tich, Head of the Department of Science and Technology (Hanoi National University)

Innovation in S&T activities has only begun more than 10 years ago with the emergence of the Project "Supporting the national innovation startup ecosystem until 2025" (Project 844) chaired by the Ministry of Science and Technology. has changed the core of an industrial economy, which has great implications for the operations of universities.

To continue to have successful innovation activities, Mr. Vu Van Tich proposed that the Government and MOST continue to invest more to form an innovation ecosystem consisting of 4 components: Government - enterprises - universities - research institute as a driving force for socio-economic development. Including investment in large universities; allowing universities to pilot a number of breakthrough policy mechanisms to soon bring the results of innovation activities to life...

Mr. Ngo Dac Thuan, Chairman of IP GROUP

From a business perspective, Mr. Ngo Dac Thuan, Chairman of IP GROUP Joint Stock Company, said that currently, the foundation of innovation in Vietnamese businesses is not proactive and long-term, still depending on the technological core of foreign corporations. Mr. Ngo Dac Thuan also emphasized the important role of IP and patents is the factor that guides and determines the effectiveness of innovation.

Representative of VISTI in the Ceremony

The representative of the  Vietnam Institute of Science Technology and Innovation – VISTI said that with technical support from WIPO experts, international experts and ministries, departments and localities, in 2022, MOST has built and tested a set of high-level innovation indicators (PII) in 20 provinces/cities and officially deploy the PII Index nationwide from 2023. The PII Index provides a realistic, overall picture of the current state of the economic development model. socio-economic development based on science, technology and innovation of each locality. Thereby, providing grounds and evidence on strengths, weaknesses, potential factors, and necessary conditions to promote socio-economic development based on science, technology and innovation of each locality, helping investors Policy makers and leaders at all levels have the basis to identify and select appropriate directions and solutions for local socio-economic development.

Delegates discussed the issue of innovation activities

Within the framework of the ceremony, delegates discussed Vietnam's innovation activities with the desire to call for cooperation and contributions from ministries, departmetn, localities, organizations and individuals throughout society promoting innovation, making practical contributions to serving the country's socio-economic development goals.

Source: SATI