New headquarters of National Innovation Center open

A launch ceremony for the new headquarters of the National Innovation Center (NIC) at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi was held on October 28 with the attendance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other senior officials.

The Vietnam International Innovation Expo 2023 (VIIE 2023) was also opened at the headquarters on the same day, to mark its launch.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Chinh pointed out that the opening  of the new headquarters of the NIC and VIIE 2023 demonstrate that the policy of the Party and the State on the development of sciences and technology and innovation has been put into practice.

He added that the application of an experimental special mechanism for innovation will create a breakthrough in economic development.

Expressing his concern over low workplace productivity in Vietnam, the Prime Minister noted that the fruitful development of science and technology and innovation will provide an “answer” to questions on how to develop quickly, consistently, broadly, and sustainably.

He said innovation is an inexorable trend, a strategic breakthrough decision for the country, and an objective requirement to realize its aspirations to build a strong and prosperous nation with wealthy and happy people.

The government has also been implementing specific action programs to step up the comprehensive development of the innovation ecosystem and create an environment to promote research and development and apply science and technology and technology transfer, he said.

Though being among the world’s top 40 largest economies in terms of GDP, Vietnam is still facing many difficulties and challenges, and its science and technology and innovation, while posting many achievements, have not yet met demand from national development and are not commensurate with the potential and capacity of the Vietnamese people for innovation.

He therefore asked ministries and other government agencies to spare no effort in further accelerating scientific and technological research and application and innovation.

Regarding the NIC, the government leader expressed a hope that the center will create a new innovation space for the country, clearly demonstrate the spirit of daring to think, daring to do, and daring to innovate for development, and become a model of innovation in the country.

According to the Prime Minister, the completion and operation of the NIC headquarters at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park has significance in developing the startup ecosystem and is the beginning of a new phase of development in providing concentrated infrastructure to further accelerate and strengthen Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.