Technology is foundation for Vietnam's rapid, sustainable development: minister

Speaking at the opening of the event held in Quang Ninh Province, he emphasized the importance of developing science, technology and innovation.

Hundreds of delegates from ministries, businesses and production units and scientists were in attendance to learn about breakthrough technologies and solutions.

Before the opening, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Dat, other Party and state leaders, their counterparts from the Quang Ninh Province Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee, and ministry and other officials visited the booths set up at an exhibition that is part of the event.

Nearly 200 booths showcased technological devices and solutions.

Quang called for ensuring products are also competitive in terms of prices.

"The product might be good, but the price must also be lower than in foreign markets," he said while visiting the booth set up by auto company Thanh Cong Group.

Minister of Science and Technology, Huynh Thanh Dat speaks at the opening of the Techconnect & Innovation Vietnam 2023 expo in Quang Ninh September 29, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Dat underlined in his opening statement that research, technology and innovation are the pillars of Vietnam's rapid and sustainable development.

The government focuses on having in place progressive and innovative regulations that foster the development of various fields and the community, he said.

Together with other ministries and agencies, he has created a synchronous legal corridor, mechanisms, and policies for the development of science, technology and innovation; promoted the development of intermediary institutions such as technology exchanges; formed technology supply and demand connection points; and organized supply and demand connection activities, he said.

He said Techconnect & Innovation Vietnam 2023 promotes the application of technology and innovation.

Besides improving the competitiveness of products made by businesses, the event also creates conditions for scientists to apply their results to production and business, he said.

He called for promoting economic, trade and investment links, especially technology exchanges, with foreign enterprises to foster innovation.

The "Connecting Technology and Innovation" event was organized to demonstrate and introduce new technology trends and new products; link up technology supply and demand based on the needs of localities and economic regions and involving domestic and foreign partners; promote technology transfer; and promptly apply research results in production and daily life to serve economic and social development.

Dat hoped official agencies and businesses would collaborate more closely with the Department of Technology Application and Development and local science and technology departments to promote such application and the transfer of advances in technology and innovation, thereby improving business productivity and product quality and improving competitiveness while also contributing to socioeconomic development.

More than 1,000 delegates attended the event on September 29, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Nguyen Xuan Ky, secretary of Quang Ninh's Party Committee and chairman of its People's Council, said in his welcome speech that the province has transitioned from a brown to a green growth model, effectively developed its potential and infrastructure, fostered regional and intra-regional economies in tandem with cultural advancement.

The locality's pillars are nature, people and culture, and has the goal of developing into a model province as well as an economic hub of the country where technology and innovation would help generate high labor productivity and breakthroughs in economic and social growth, he said.

He said technology and innovation would enable the province to achieve high labor productivity.

He looked forward to getting more projects, solutions and innovative ideas that are ready to be used practically to help enterprises.

Secretary Nguyen Xuan Ky expected technology to help achieve breakthroughs for Quang Ninh's development. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

A technology application performance and a 3D mapping light show dazzled attendees at the event.

As the discussions began, the first speaker was Le Ngoc Son, deputy general director of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group.

He highlighted the necessity for breakthrough innovations by citing the failure of some of the world's greatest companies, despite their outstanding management capabilities, to keep up with advances in science and technology.

According to Son, the energy transformation process has a significant impact on businesses.

Global energy demand is rising in 2023, but fossil fuels can only meet 55% of the demand, he said.

Oil and gas companies are facing increasing pressure to address environmental concerns as supply diminishes.

Companies have made changes in this context, focusing on innovative technical solutions, reducing greenhouse emissions, encouraging technological innovation, and developing new products to meet market demand.

He mentioned a number of international oil businesses as examples. A Brazilian oil and gas company has invested in many modern technologies, such as deep and ultra-deep sea exploration. A Norwegian oil business has joined the offshore wind power energy revolution, and is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

In fact, the energy transition is not only possible but also beneficial to governments, and at present requires several technology applications and investments.

Petrovietnam offers a long-term plan focused on technology innovation and energy transition for until 2045.

In addition, it is optimizing production and business activities, capitalizing on the strengths of technology infrastructure to quickly and effectively implementing new energy practices and applying digital transformation to meet emission targets.

From a business perspective, Pham Van Tai, general director of Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company (Thaco), said technology and innovation are imperative, and prioritizing investment in science and technology has brought positive results.

One of Thaco Truong Hai's achievements is promoting investment in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone to develop production and business activities.

The company also focuses on investing in ports and improving logistics infrastructure for turning Chu Lai into an automobile development center.

As for R&D, Thaco Truong Hai has up to 1,500 engineers, of whom some 500 focus on researching new technologies and products, cooperating with auto assembly partners and exporting products to various markets.

Tai said Thaco uses many technologies, digital applications and software in sales and customer care. It applies high tech based on an appropriate road map as well as operational management for freight forwarding.

Vu Duc Loi, deputy director in charge of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, was the last speaker.

He pointed out that businesses are at the center of national innovation.

Many scientific and technological discoveries are inputs in the innovation process and innovation activities transform knowledge into value, he said.

Large companies in particular take the lead in improving quality and efficiency and developing new products based on technology, which boost market share and competitiveness, he said.

He said SMEs need to improve their ability to absorb, apply and innovate technology.

Science and technology enterprises promote the commercialization of technology and invention research and development results, while start-up enterprises can grow based on the exploitation of intellectual property, new wisdom, ideas, and models, he said.

He underlined the growing significance of technology application and innovation.

Enterprises should recognize market trends, new products and services, and productivity goals, and carry out technology transfer and innovation by upgrading lines and equipment while establishing new management systems and standards, he said.

He proposed developing a strategy for integrating supply chains while providing financial support through incentives for R&D.

He also suggested at the end of his presentation that enterprises should focus on developing and improving systems and policies that encourage invention, application and technology transfer activities.

Dozens of MoUs for technology transfer and innovation were signed in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and other leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and other leaders witness the signing of cooperation agreements. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Techconnect & Innovation Vietnam 2023 had the theme "Creative Innovation - Sustainable Development".

This year's event was organized by the Quang Ninh Province Department of Science and Technology, as guided by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Quang Ninh People's Committee and the Department of Technology Application and Development.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and leaders of ministries and other agencies press buttons to inaugurate the event. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

The program included forums and conferences to exchange information on connecting technologies and innovation, product demonstrations and technology highlights and connections to promote investment cooperation.

Through the two-day event there was also a technology spotlight program with new technology trends and product demonstrations coordinated by the chairman.