Students at Đà Nẵng University during a lesson. -- VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI -- Việt Nam's successful digital transformation and innovation require a synergy of technology, institutions and skilled labour, heard participants at a conference on how to spur the development of technology and innovation yesterday in Hà Nội.

Speaking at the event, Politburo member Prof Nguyễn Xuân Thắng said the key to speeding up the country's socioeconomic development lies with technology and innovation, especially Việt Nam's digital transformation process, which will improve the country's living standards as well as its ability to compete on international markets. 

He said education, training and science have been among the top priorities of the Vietnamese government in recent decades. Việt Nam's significant investments in research and development activities have started producing promising results as the country steadily moved up the ranking of the Global Innovation Index. In 2023, Việt Nam ranked 46/132 in the index, one of only 7 middle-income countries that have made remarkable progress in the last decade. 

Challenges and limitations remained, however, as there is still a large technological gap between Việt Nam and developed countries, Thắng said. 

In order to turn innovation and science into sustainable, long-term economic drivers, greater efforts are required to speed up the country's digital transformation process including the establishment of the digital economy, eGovernment and information infrastructure.

In addition, he urged the business community to take an active role in spearheading science and technology development. On its part, he said the Vietnamese government has been and will continue to provide all the required support and legal frameworks to help businesses, especially startups, minimise risk and ensure success. He also stressed the importance of building a young and skilled labour force. 

At the conference, scientists and economists from within and outside the country gathered to share opinions and discuss methods to help bolster science and technology activities in Việt Nam. 

They advised the government to conduct a comprehensive review of the current laws and regulations to identify issues hindering the development of science and technology. 

In addition, they called for greater support from the government in promoting an innovative working culture and learning from international success stories. They said it's high time Việt Nam took measures to enhance its capacity to absorb and master advanced technologies. 

The conference, co-organised by the Hồ Chí Minh Academy and the Paris-based Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE), is a biannual event aimed at connecting Vietnamese scientists around the world and gathering inputs on how to address and improve Việt Nam's economic development. -- VNS