Innovation centres can breed startups: Deputy PM

Businesses should be innovative and creative in using Information Technology (IT) advances to grow, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said on February 26.
Innovation centres can breed startups: Deputy PM ảnh 1Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at the inauguration ceremony of CMC Innovation Centre in Hanoi on February 26. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Businesses should be innovative and creative inusing Information Technology (IT) advances to grow, Deputy Prime Minister VuDuc Dam said on February 26.

Inaugurating the CMC Innovation Centre in Hanoi, he called for such centres tobe established in many localities, especially in big universities.

The country has very few innovation centres, while other countries havehundreds, he said, adding “If we increase the number of innovation centres, wewill have more start-ups.”

The deputy PM said he expected the number of both local and foreign venturefunds in the country to increase.

He acknowledged that while many Vietnamese youth have tasted success withunique start-up ideas, the Government, enterprises and investment funds shouldcontribute more to building a start-up ecosystem.

The support can include businesses registration, intellectual property rightsand preferential taxes, he said.

Stressing the importance of an ecosystem, he said: “Each group and business hasits own strengths. But they will have new opportunities if they connect andshare with each other,” he said.

The success of Nguyen Ha Dong with his famous “Flappy Bird” game and othersimilar stories should be shared to encourage and support others, Đam said.

The Deputy PM also spoke of the need for policies to encourage investment in ITinfrastructure and facilitate ICT application in some key economic sectors.

Improving the nation’s business environment and competitiveness are factorsthat will affect the development of both big firms and start-ups, he said.

Nguyen Trung Chinh, CMC Group chairman and general director, said there was noway for businesses to develop other than by promoting innovation.

He said the new centre will play an importantrole in facilitating the establishment of innovative firms. The CMC InnovationFund as well as other venture funds will invest in good ideas, aid intechnology transfer and provide commercial funding for feasible projects, hesaid.

The 50 billion VND (2.2 million USD) centre will prioritise projects relatingto the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud, security, Big Data, artificialintelligence (AI) and Robotics, he added.

Covering an area of 600sq.m, the centre is expected to be a location forsharing and exchanging technologies, new trends, a technology incubator and asupporter of innovative projects of the CMC Group and the start-up community.

The inauguration was also marked by the signing of agreement between CMC Groupand the Department of Technology Application under the Ministry of Science andTechnology (MoST) to build a technology map and co-operate in other relevantactivities.-VNA
VNA

See more

Delegates launch the commune-level digital transformation application on October 9 (Photo: VNA)

Commune-level digital transformation app launched

The app is designed to help grassroots officials, businesses, household businesses and citizens find suitable solutions, acquire relevant skills and access consultancy during their digital transformation journey.

Project to build big data database on law approved

Project to build big data database on law approved

The project is expected to help reform lawmaking and law enforcement, advance smart legal governance, promote a culture of legal compliance and make the law a national competitive advantage in the new era.

Vietnam targets modern pharmaceutical chemical industry by 2045. (Illustrative photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Vietnam targets modern pharmaceutical chemical industry by 2045

By 2030, Vietnam aims to master, acquire and transfer advanced technologies and produce selected essential and strategic pharmaceutical ingredients, prioritising active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), starting materials, chemical intermediates and excipients.

Martyr remains samples from the northern province of Cao Bang are handed over to the Military Institute of Forensic Medicine for DNA analysis. (Photo: VNA)

DNA testing capacity expanded to identify over 207,000 martyrs’ remains

By September 2026, Steering Committee 515 had collected samples from the remains of 207,656 martyrs, achieving 98.15% of the goal. Nearly 120,000 samples have been received and preserved. Additionally, authorities gathered 265,761 DNA samples from martyrs’ relatives, with about 100,000 analysed and around 80,000 results entered into the database.

Unmanned aerial vehicle used to inspect power lines. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi’s power grid modernised through science, technology and data

As the national political and administrative centre and a major hub for economic, scientific, technological and innovation activities, Hanoi is seeing growing demand for energy infrastructure. Rapid urbanisation and the development of industry, services, modern transport, data centres and the digital economy require the capital’s power system to ensure not only daily consumption but also reliable electricity for production and business activities, operations of central agencies, and major political and diplomatic events.​

Electronic component production at Star Engineers Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Binh Xuyen Industrial Park, Phu Tho province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam turns AI ambitions into tangible business results

AI has become a high or top priority for 69% of surveyed Vietnamese businesses, while 84% expect their use of AI to increase over the next year. Although 61% of adopters remain at the experimentation stage, 71% said their AI investments have already broken even or generated returns.

Assoc. Prof. Vu Viet Hung (left) visits a robotic 3D printing facility. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam, Canada look to turn strategic partnership into tech projects

Canada's research strength paired with Vietnam's manpower, market size and speed of adoption could address national-level challenges and help small- and medium-sized enterprises modernise production and tap into the international innovation ecosystem, said Assoc. Prof. Vu Viet Hung.

Associate Professor Dang Duc Huy (left) poses for a photo with Canadian Governor General Louise Arbour. (Photo: VNA)

Overseas Vietnamese intellectuals drive innovation

Overseas Vietnamese scientists do not have to return to Vietnam for long-term work to make an impact. They can contribute by joining collaborative research teams, sharing analytical techniques, facilitating access to modern equipment, and linking Vietnam with international labs and universities.

The Better Choice Awards 2026 Gala is a key activity in response to the National Innovation Day 2026 (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Better Choice Awards 2026 honours innovative Vietnamese businesses, tech products

The fourth edition of the awards featured a complete restructuring into four award tracks: Innovative Choice Awards, Smart Choice Awards, Car Choice Awards and the newly introduced Nation Builders Awards. The latter honours businesses contributing to national development by building infrastructure, energy systems and technological capacity for the national economy.

A resident scans a QR code to get a queue number at the public administrative service centre in Hoa Xuan ward, Da Nang city (Photo: VNA)

Localities apply AI, data to drive practical digital transformation

In the central province of Quang Tri, an AI-powered “People’s Assistant” is being piloted from October 1 to 31 at the provincial Public Administration Service Centre and the centres of this kind in Dong Thuan and Dong Ha wards. The system provides information on procedures, required documents, forms and fees, while also supporting declaration and preliminary checks.

Science, technology and innovation products on display. (Photo: VNA)

Businesses must be at heart of innovation: Deputy PM

“Businesses must be placed at the centre of this process,” he said, noting that enterprises understand market demand, formulate practical requirements, invest resources, adopt and master technologies, organise production and bring products to consumers.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security's delegation holds a discussion with representatives of the WIPO's Advisory Committee on Enforcement. (Photo: VNA)

WIPO innovation report viewed through Resolution 57 perspective

He said the GII 2026 results should be viewed in the broader context of Vietnam’s implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, which identifies science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation as key breakthroughs and major drivers for developing modern productive forces and enhancing economic competitiveness.

Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan (left) meets with Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Fujii Hisayuki (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Japan expand cooperation in strategic technology fields

Meeting with Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Seki Yoshihiro on October 2, Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan proposed the Japanese side continue providing postgraduate scholarships, particularly at master's and doctoral levels in strategic technological sectors, facilitate exchanges among students and researchers, and maintain support for the Vietnam Japan University (VJU).