Nguyen Hong Son, director of Hanoi's Department of Science and Technology, shared his assessment of Hanoi's ranking as the top province in the Provincial Innovation Index 2023 with the government's e-news website. 

The announcement of the Provincial Innovation Index. Photo: daidoanket newspaper

How do you assess Hanoi’s ranking in the Provincial Innovation Index (PII) 2023?

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology's PII 2023 ranking, Hanoi achieved the highest score of 62.86 points. With an input sub-index of 62.55 and an output sub-index of 63.17, Hanoi led in 14 out of 52 component indicators.

These indicators include five input pillars such as human capital, research and development, level of market development and knowledge, creativity and technology products, and two outputs related to intellectual property, such as patents, industrial designs and impact.

In 2022, Hanoi was also in first place with the highest index (61.07 points) among the 20 pilot provinces in the PII 2022.

This achievement is the result of a combination of factors. Hanoi has advantages as a hub for start-ups and innovation, with more than 70% of the country's science and technology organizations, universities and research institutes located in the capital. 

It is also home to 14 national key laboratories and accounts for 82% of the country's laboratory facilities. In addition, more than 65% of the country's leading scientists live and work in Hanoi.

However, despite leading the PII 2023 rankings, the results have not fully matched the city's advantages. Much of the city's scientific and technological potential has not been fully tapped and used effectively.

The purpose of the PII is to describe the situation of each province and city so that they can identify their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in order to formulate policies and make adjustments. This adjustment will be based on the development orientation of each locality, which has its own specific characteristics and development direction.

For investors, the results of the PII will provide useful reference information on the local investment environment in order to make appropriate investment decisions. 

For the research sector, the PII provides comprehensive databases with evaluation indicators that can be compared over time and encourage further research.

The PII is also important for international organizations and donors to consider and evaluate their funding and related activities in Vietnam's provinces.

The importance of the PII 2023 for Hanoi therefore lies in its ability to provide a comprehensive, cross-sectoral view of the city's innovative capacity. 

This will allow the city to build on its strengths and address its weaknesses. 

Hanoi will continue to enhance connectivity and effectively mobilize the nation's scientific and technological potentials through the participation of top intellectuals, experts and scientists from research institutes and universities in the region.

How does Hanoi plan to become Vietnam's premier science and technology and innovative hub?

Nguyen Hong Son, Director of the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology. Photo: Hanoi Dept of S&T

The city has identified and prioritized developing science, technology, and innovation as one of the three strategic breakthroughs for sustainable development for 2020-2025, with a vision for 2030 and 2045. 

This is a new driving force for improving the productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of Hanoi's economy.

The city is undertaking program No.07 on "Promotion of science, technology and innovation development in Hanoi in 2021-2025".

In addition to changing the perception of science, technology and innovation, this project will be crucial to the rapid and sustainable development of Hanoi. 

It aims to make science, technology and innovation the main drivers of Hanoi's socio-economic development by 2025, and Vietnam's scientific research, technological development and innovation hub one of South East Asia's leading science and technology centers in certain fields.

To date, the city has confirmed its role as the country's leading base for science, technology, and innovation through various measures that support innovative start-ups.

The city is home to over 1,000 innovative enterprises, accounting for over 26% of the national total. The number of business incubators and organizations providing business support programs represents over 38% and 40%, respectively, of the national figure.

With a focus on large and high-quality projects, the city authorities also have a specific policy to attract foreign investment.

Hanoi continues to develop and improve mechanisms and policies related to science, technology and innovation in the amended Capital Law to encourage enterprises to adopt, transfer and master new technology. 

It aims to create an environment for the development and testing of new technologies by establishing and developing an open innovation platform to enhance the connectivity and infrastructure of scientific and technological research institutions, companies and enterprises. 

Hanoi is also implementing the 'Hanoi Innovation Network' and leveraging its role as a 'Creative City' to strengthen the close link between government agencies, intellectuals and entrepreneurs in serving and addressing specific issues in the city's development process.

To develop the socio-economic aspects in the coming period, what specific solutions should the capital's science and technology sector have? 

Massive attendance at Techfest Hanoi. Photo: Techfest

The Ministry of Science and Technology has developed the PII and officially conducted it nationwide since 2023. The data used to compile the PII are collected from statistical reports, official management reports of central and local agencies, and data from other indices (Administrative Reform Index, Provincial Competitiveness Index, Digital Transformation Index, Provincial Administrative Efficiency and Governance Index). 

The PII Index provides a basis for identifying strengths, weaknesses, potential factors, and necessary conditions to promote socio-economic development based on science, technology, and innovation in each locality. 

It serves as a scientific and practical basis for the effective formulation and implementation of policies that promote a favorable environment for science, technology and innovation activities, and drive local socio-economic development initiatives based on science, technology and innovation. 

This month, the ministry will hold a workshop to find solutions to promote the development of science and technology, capitalize on the capital's strengths, improve low indicators and encourage innovation across all sectors to drive socio-economic growth in the city.

Thank you!