WB-funded project contributes to promoting innovation in Vietnam
A conference to review the implementation of the "Fostering Innovation through Research, Science and Technology" (FIRST) project funded by the World Bank was held by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Hanoi on January 14.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tac speaks at the event (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A conference to review the implementation of the "Fostering Innovation through Research, Scienceand Technology" (FIRST) project funded by the World Bank was held by theMinistry of Science and Technology in Hanoi on January 14.
Started in 2014, the project aimed to help Vietnam develop science andtechnology and promote innovation through piloting a number of new policies,which contributed to completing the framework for sci-tech development and attractinginternational experts and Vietnamese expats in this field.
Notably, the project helped speed up innovation in enterprises and enhanced linksbetween enterprises and research institutes and education institutions, thusforming science and technology businesses.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tacsaid the six-year project has realized its targets, opening a new period for sci-techand socio-economic development in Vietnam.
Tac said the FIRST project created connections among 600 foreign scientists,including over 100 who have directly implemented cooperation activities inVietnam.
It also engaged 77 private enterprises which directly invested nearly 400billion VND (12.2 million USD) in implementing projects to master technology, creating50 new products with added value from technology, he said.
After the project ended, the enterprises added over 1 trillion VND to expand large-scaleproduction plants and register for protection of intellectual property rightsfor inventions, technological designs, useful solutions, plant varieties and software.
Meanwhile, 16 public science and technology organizations have invested inupgrading their laboratories, of which 10 modern laboratories have obtained ISOand Vietnam Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (VILAS) certificationsto provide international scientific and technology services.
Addressing the conference, Country Director of the World Bank in VietnamOusman Dione assessed that the FIRSTproject achieved "satisfaction" - a high level in the bank's ranking system.
Pilot mechanisms from the project have been implemented, contributing to thecompletion of a policy corridor to promote science - technology and innovationin Vietnam, he said.
After the FIRST project, the WB pledges to continue supporting and promotinginnovation in Vietnam, Dione stated./.
The Ministry of Science and Technology and Xinova have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a global innovation centre in Vietnam to connect Vietnamese innovators with the global innovative network for greater creative ideas.
The Vietnam Book of Innovation 2019 was made public in Hanoi on August 23, introducing 74 outstanding scientific-technological research projects and solutions selected from 141 entries submitted by ministries, sectors, organisations and localities.
The reform of market economic institutions is one of the issues to be debated at the second Vietnam Reform and Development Forum (VRDF) in Hanoi on September 19, said Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has recently signed a decision to set up the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
The Government will develop an innovative and business-centred ecosystem, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said at the Vietnam Business Forum 2019 in Hanoi on January 10.
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.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tac speaks at the event (Source: VNA) 
