The Ministry of Science and Technology, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, hosted a ceremony to respond to Innovate Vietnam 2025 in Hanoi on October 1.

The event was attended by Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and some 800 delegates from the business community, research institutes, universities, investment funds and international organisations.

The Vietnamese Government designated October 1 as National Innovation Day in 2024. Under the theme “Innovation for all- a national growth driver,” the event reiterated the Party and State’s resolve to make innovation a central strategy for economic and social development, to lift productivity and competitiveness and to ensure sustainable growth. The day also recognises breakthrough ideas and aims to nurture a comprehensive innovation ecosystem, ignite the national aspiration to integrate globally and pursue the goal of raising Vietnam to high-income status by 2045.

In his remarks, Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the world is moving at an unprecedented pace under the influence of artificial intelligence, big data, biotechnology, clean energy and new materials. Countries that lead in science, technology and innovation gain strategic competitive advantages and pull further ahead, while those slow to innovate risk being left behind, he said.

Vietnam, he said, has no choice but to treat science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as top strategic breakthroughs and the major driving force for changing its development model and realizing the two centennial objectives. He affirmed that a spirit of smart labour is an inexhaustible national resource and insisted that National Innovation Day should translate immediately into sustained, practical and lasting actions that generate value.

To Lam emphasized that innovation must be built on a solid science and technology foundation and that the country must raise its strategic autonomy in core technologies, especially foundational and source technologies. He called for urgent implementation of the Action Program to develop 11 strategic technologies under Resolution 57, with clear roadmaps to master key fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, big data, cyber safety and security, cryptography, biotechnology and biomedical technologies, new materials, new energy, electronics, sensors and robotics.

He urged faster development of foundational digital infrastructure, including cloud computing, high-performance computing, data centres and 5G/6G networks, and higher domestic content in critical technology systems, thus enabling Vietnam to integrate confidently while preserving its core capabilities.

The Party chief asked universities and research institutes to step up technology transfer and support research groups in forming start-ups and commercial ventures, with the explicit goal of nurturing fast-growing tech enterprises and gradually producing tech unicorns bearing Vietnamese brands so that innovation spreads every aspect of social life.

He added that the State will create enabling institutions, ensure fairness, protect intellectual property rights, invest in digital infrastructure and clear the way for bold innovation that produces new value or resolves long-standing problems. “Enterprises will be the centre of innovation, where ideas turn into products, knowledge into value and technology into competitive strength,” he said.

The Party leader expressed his hope that experts, researchers and scientists will act as guiding torches, commit themselves to serving the nation with their knowledge, and place national and public interests above personal gain. He urged them to focus on achieving strategic autonomy in core and strategic technologies, and to support businesses and public service systems in applying science and technology to socio-economic development and public service, meeting the demands of a new production model and development environment. He also called on young people to nurture big ambitions, dare to dream, start businesses, take risks, and make innovation their life ideal.

In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged ministries, sectros and localities to act decisively on innovation, remove administrative obstacles and avoid restricting the space for innovation for any individual or group.

He called on international partners to provide technical assistance and share experience to help Vietnam build legal frameworks, resources and infrastructure for innovation, and financial support for technology transfer, especially in priority areas, strategic technologies and the development of R&D centres.

“To the younger generation, students and pupils, I stress three pioneering roles: first, be exemplary pioneers in innovation and digital transformation; second, be exemplary pioneers in overcoming personal limits, innovating always and everywhere; third, be exemplary pioneers in racing against time to develop decisive intelligence and be resolute in innovation,” PM Pham Minh Chinh said.

On the occasion, the organisers also announced the Provincial Innovation Index (PII 2025) and launched a series of programmes supported by businesses, international organisations and experts to promote broader participation in the national innovation drive.

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