The Vietnam Young Initiatives-InnoCity Global Launching 2021 (InnoCity) event is expected to create a “city” of resources to maximize the capabilities of the Vietnamese young people towards the development of future innovative cities in Vietnam.

An overview of the webinar on August 19. Photos: NIC

The online event was hosted by the Hanoi-based National Innovation Center (NIC) under the Ministry of Planning and Industry on August 19.

The program was initiated by the Union of Vietnamese Students and Youth Unions in Europe under the sponsorship of the NIC, with the aim to connect Vietnamese of different generations with communities in the world towards the common goal of the socio-economic recovery after the pandemic.

Addressing at the webinar, Pham Dung Nam, Director of the National Office of Project 844 - the Initiative for Startup Ecosystem in Vietnam (ISEV) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the economy is facing great challenges from the pandemic and this is a golden time to promote Made-in-Vietnam innovation and creativity.

He encouraged young people to join InnoCity to share initiatives for the sake of the country's growth. “The initiatives and proposals of the Vietnamese people are the best solutions to contribute to the economic recovery and development in the future,” he underlined.

Being of the same mind, Pham Viet Anh, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands suggested Vietnamese young people need to learn the outstanding strengths of the economy in the country they are studying and living in. Then they can share lessons and initiatives for the revival of the Vietnamese economy.

Vu Quoc Huy, NIC’s Director hoped that InnoCity will receive the attention and support from its partners and the social communities to create a larger spillover effect and become an annual event to attracting effective and practical projects that are capable of solving problems for society and businesses. 

“The most desirable thing is that the program contributes to strongly promoting Vietnamese patriotism, will, and human intelligence, innovation, and creativity so that the country can develop faster and more sustainably,” he said.

Initiatives focus on five areas

A poster of the InnoPark Design Competition

The InnoCity is calling initiatives in five key areas including digital health, logistics and transportation, energy and environment, smart city and information communication technology, and smart education.

After four months of launching, InnoCity has received 50 initiatives from individuals and organizations in Europe, mainly focusing on the fields of smart city, information communication technology, and smart education. 

The kick-off activities will continue to take place in the EU, Vietnam, and other countries for collecting initiatives this August and September as well as seeking talents and solutions for the economic recovery after the pandemic.  

Five Innovation Rising Star Awards will be worth VND50-70 million (US$2,190-$3,071) and one Young Innovation Rising Star Award worth VND50-70 million ($2,190-$3,071).

Within the InnoCity, the InnoPark Design Competition for rebuilding the Hanoi-based Thong Nhat Park is open to the Vietnamese youth community to exchange initiatives and display innovative products.