Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh today inaugurated the National Innovation Center and the Vietnam International Innovation Exhibition 2023 (VIIE 2023) at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park in Hanoi on October 28.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other delegates attend the inauguration ceremony of the NIC. Photos: Phi Nhat/ The Hanoi Times

The event marked a significant milestone for the National Innovation Center (NIC) in its journey to become a regional and international hub for innovation, contributing to the transformation of Vietnam's economy.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the importance of this event in promoting science, technology and innovation.

He said that the development of science, technology, and innovation is fundamental to drive industrialization, modernization, and the knowledge-based economy, and to bring Vietnam to the advanced level of the world.

Chinh called on local ministries and agencies to develop an innovation ecosystem, focusing on the establishment and improvement of innovation centers nationwide.

"The inauguration of the National Innovation Center and the opening of the VIIE 2023 mark the country's innovation process has moved into a new phase," the Prime Minister said.

"We believe that the center will create an innovative space for Vietnam, demonstrating our determination for innovation and development, and contribute to establishing a new symbol for Vietnam as a destination for innovation."

The Prime Minister expected the VIIE 2023 to help make Vietnam a convergence point for innovation and spread its digital age benefits regionally and globally.

The exhibition introduces and disseminates the image of Vietnam as a nation of innovation and creativity to the public and the global community, showcasing Vietnam's potential and advantages in innovation and successful application of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

The exhibition brought together large, small and medium-sized enterprises and prominent start-ups, focusing on key areas such as smart factories, smart cities, digital communication, environmental technology, semiconductor technology and hydrogen technology.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates visit a booth at the VIIE 2023.

The exhibition will run until November 1 at the NIC Hoa Lac facility.

VIIE 2023 featured around 200 booths from various technology giants and innovative startups such as SK, Samsung, Google, Meta, Signify, Intel, VISA, Viettel, FPT, THACO, VNPT, Sovico, VNG, and MoMo.

South Korean conglomerate SK, one of the key participants, believed that the world faces threats from political tensions, the digital divide, climate change, water scarcity, food, and healthcare, and that innovative solutions in these areas are problems that need to be addressed as soon as possible.

"The NIC is where companies of different sizes from various countries work together to find solutions for eight key sectors and technologies," said SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won.

"The cooperation between the government, businesses, the NIC and SK will create development opportunities for all parties, especially in energy transition, digital technology and sustainable development."

The conglomerate's chairman expected that through the activities of the innovation center, many outstanding startups will be nurtured to lead the economy and solve human challenges.

The event also featured booths from research institutions and major universities such as Vietnam National University - Hanoi, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho University, and Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

To create a space for exchanging and sharing cutting-edge innovative ideas and products, the exhibition is expected to facilitate interaction and connection between enterprises and the community, inspire and fully unleash the capacity for innovation and creativity, and open up unique cooperation opportunities.

During the event, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and Meta awarded the Vietnam Innovation 2023 prizes to 12 typical solutions and the top four excellent solutions from the Vietnam Innovation Challenge program launched in October 2022.

An overview of the signing ceremony.

In the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, the NIC signed cooperation agreements with partners including Hanoi National University, Ho Chi Minh City National University, Google, Samsung, SpaceX, Intel, Cadence, VinaCapital, Southeast Impact Alliance, VNPT, Sovico, FPT, and Tresemi to promote innovation, develop high-quality human resources, especially in the semiconductor field, and enhance research and development of semiconductor chips.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that the Ministry of Planning and Investment will continue to closely coordinate with departments, ministries, sectors, and domestic and international organizations and institutions to successfully build and operate the National Innovation Center and contribute to promoting the values of innovation and creativity.

The five-day event featured workshops and forums discussing the current situation and technology development trends in Vietnam and internationally.

The programs included seminars on the energy and environment industry, semiconductor industry forums, healthcare technology, Vietnam Venture Summit, enterprise innovation forums, game industry workshops, advertising technology workshops, STEAM activities, and the Better Choice Awards Gala, he added.