Vietnam ranks 44th in Global Innovation Index 2021
Vietnam ranked 44th out of 132 countries and economies in the Global Innovation Index 2021 (GII 2021) which was announced by the United Nations' World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on September 20.
Hanoi (VNA)- Vietnam ranked 44th out of 132 countries and economies in the Global Innovation Index 2021 (GII 2021) which was announced bythe United Nations' World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) onSeptember 20.
The country kept its first position among the 34 lower-middle income economies in the index.
The GII 2021 report released on September 20 mentioned Vietnam as one of four middle-income economies (the othersbeing Turkey, India and the Philippines) with the potential to change theglobal innovation landscape, systematically catching up with other economieslike China.
Vietnam, along with India, Kenya and the Republic of Moldova, holds the record for overperforming on innovation relative to their level of development for the 11th year in a row, according to the report.
This year's GII data shows that Northern America and Europe continue to lead far in front of other regions for innovation, but the innovation performance of South East Asia, East Asia, and Oceania (SEAO) has been the most dynamic in the past decade, and is the only region closing the gap.
The 2021 Global Innovation Index, issued by the World IntellectualProperty Organization (WIPO), ranks the innovative performance of worldeconomies based on seven factors: human capital and research, knowledge andtechnology output, infrastructure, market sophistication, businesssophistication, creative outputs and institutions.
Vietnam has been part of the index since its debut in 2007, climbingup steadily since 2013, after several years of hovering just above the 70thplace. The country ranked 42nd in the index in 2019 and 2020, which is explained by the change in Vietnam's calculation of its GDP./.
Vietnam has been striving to improve its legal framework and policies on science and technology in order to boost productivity and economic competitiveness and make innovation a driver of growth.
Vietnam’s digital economy will likely reach 52 billion USD in value by 2025, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2019 report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company.
The transaction value in Vietnam’s science-technology market posted average annual growth of 22 percent during the 2011-2020 period, a recent conference reviewing the 10-year development of the market heard.
Hanoi is working on a plan to form a technology trading platform - a move considered critical for the development of the science-technology market in the capital and in Vietnam as a whole.
The Prime Minister has issued a document to the Ministry of Science and Technology on restructuring national-level science and technology programmes for the 2021-2025 period and towards 2030.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
