Hanoi (VNA) – The National Innovation Centre (NIC), in collaboration with France’s Dassault Systèmes Group, inaugurated a research and development (R&D) centre on January 8, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung.
Congratulating Dassault Systèmes, the Deputy PM commended the effective coordination of the Ministry of Finance, along with the close support of the French Embassy and the Delegation of the European Union in Vietnam, in promoting cooperation between Vietnam and Europe in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation in recent years.
With strong capabilities and an extensive partner network, Dassault Systèmes is widely recognised as a global technology leader in digital twin and industrial digital transformation.
According to Dung, the group’s decision to locate its R&D centre in Vietnam reflects a long-term strategic vision and opens up broad opportunities for deeper cooperation in human resource training, R&D, technology transfer and innovation. The centre will not only serve the Group’s own R&D activities but also contribute to training high-quality engineers and specialists for Vietnam, thereby strengthening the country’s position in the global technology value chain.
The Deputy PM highly appreciated the role and positive contributions of the French Embassy and the EU Delegation in Vietnam in promoting cooperation with leading European tech firms, research institutes and innovation organisations, saying that this provides an important foundation for developing model forms of cooperation in science, technology and innovation, in line with the Vietnam–France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as the broader Vietnam–EU relationship.
Dung called on Dassault Systèmes to continue expanding its R&D activities in Vietnam with the aim of having 1,000 high-quality engineers working at its R&D centre in the country by 2030. He also encouraged the group to connect companies within its network to expand investment and cooperation in Vietnam, with an initial focus on 11 strategic technology sectors, and to work closely with NIC to strengthen human resource training and develop the country’s innovation-driven start-up ecosystem.
The Deputy PM expressed his hope that the group would further enhance cooperation with domestic partners to promote technology transfer, gradually positioning Vietnam as Dassault Systèmes’ investment hub in Southeast Asia and Asia at large.
He also urged the Ministry of Finance and NIC to create favourable conditions for Dassault Systèmes in particular, and foreign partners in general, to participate in developing Vietnam’s technology infrastructure, including the establishment and operation of R&D centres, incubators and shared laboratories. At the same time, NIC was encouraged to continue playing its core role in the national innovation ecosystem by strengthening links with international organisations and foreign representative offices in Vietnam to promote cooperation programmes in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.
The Deputy PM reaffirmed the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to further improving the investment and business environment and creating favourable conditions for domestic and foreign investors to operate effectively, sustainably and over the long term./.
