Tây Ninh Province launches its 2026 Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Festival in Tân Ninh Ward on October 7. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tân

TÂY NINH — Tây Ninh Province launched its 2026 Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Festival on October 7, highlighting science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as strategic drivers of sustainable growth.

The event is in line with the implementation of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57 on breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation issued in December 2024.

The event is being held at Tô Quyền Square in Tân Ninh Ward until October 9, bringing together about 200 exhibition booths and a range of activities to promote technology application, innovation and digital transformation.

The festival features five main exhibition areas covering unmanned vehicle ecosystems; artificial intelligence (AI), data and digital platforms; high-tech agriculture; science and technology products; and innovation-focused start-ups.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Phạm Tấn Hòa, deputy chairman of the province People's Committee, said Tây Ninh identifies science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as key drivers of growth and a strategic, comprehensive and long-term development approach.

The province aims to create greater value through knowledge, productivity and technological mastery, while using capital, resources and labour more efficiently, he said.  

“To achieve these goals, innovative thinking must become an action-oriented capacity across society,” he said.

Innovation and digital transformation should help businesses improve productivity, quality and competitiveness and enable people and co-operatives to access markets and public services more conveniently, he said.

Local leaders visit exhibition booths at the 2026 Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Festival in Tây Ninh Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tân

Five specialised seminars are being held during the festival, focusing on practical solutions for local development; AI applications; intellectual property; environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in high-tech agriculture and the circular economy; and the development of Tây Ninh's unmanned vehicle ecosystem.

The event also includes policy consultations, business-to-business and business-to-government connections, and project pitching and demonstrations.

A key feature of the festival is the announcement of the Strategy for Developing Tây Ninh's Unmanned Vehicle Ecosystem for 2026-30, with a vision to 2035.

The province expects the strategy to help establish unmanned vehicles as a new economic sector capable of creating high-quality jobs, attracting investment and contributing to GRDP growth.

It recorded GRDP growth of 10.3 per cent in the first nine months of 2026.

Its 2026 Provincial Innovation Index ranked ninth nationwide, two places higher than in 2025, and second in the southern region, behind HCM City.   

The province is moving towards data-based governance and proactive public services, while prioritising shared digital platforms and projects with broad impact.

However, it continues to face challenges including a shortage of highly qualified human resources, incomplete data standards and the need to improve data-sharing mechanisms. — VNS