On October 1, 2024, the Ministry of Planning and Investment held the Opening Ceremony of Vietnam Innovation Day 2024 and celebrated the 5th anniversary of the National Innovation Center (NIC).

The event was honored by the presence of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Chí Dũng, along with leaders of ministries, central and local agencies, research institutes, universities, domestic and international corporations and enterprises, banks, investment funds, embassies, international organizations, and innovation experts.

Among the distinguished guests were top executives from leading global tech corporations, including Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta; Raymond Teh, Senior Vice President of Nvidia; Becky Fraser, Vice President of Global Government Affairs at Qualcomm; as well as representatives from AMD, Intel, Qorvo, Samsung, and other major companies such as Petrolimex, Viettel, Sovico Group, T&T Group, Thaco, Visa, MoMo, and CT Group.

This event served as a platform to foster and strengthen collaboration between businesses, technology corporations, and research institutions both in Vietnam and globally. Through networking, presentations, discussions, and showcases of cutting-edge technologies in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and green transformation, participants explored future innovation opportunities.

The ceremony marked NIC’s transformative five-year journey, embodying the spirit of “Aspiration – Pioneering – Breakthrough” and reaffirming its vital role in promoting the national innovation ecosystem. Innovate Viet Nam 2024 also coincided with the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of NIC Hòa Lạc, a symbol of the mission to realize creative ideas, deliver breakthrough value, and build Vietnam’s largest innovation space.

Leadership delegation attending the event.

Before the anniversary ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, and other delegates visited the advanced technology experience zone, which showcased new products and solutions in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and green transformation.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung recalled that on October 2, 2019, the National Innovation Center (NIC) was established with the mission of becoming the nucleus driving the development of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem, swiftly seizing the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution to help the country advance.

To fulfill this mission, the Ministry of Planning and Investment directed NIC to overcome numerous difficulties and challenges, focusing on the development of nine key technology sectors that play a vital role in global growth. The Ministry also instructed NIC to resolutely implement its tasks, asserting its role as the national innovation hub and contributing to Vietnam’s goal of becoming a leading center for innovation and entrepreneurship in Asia by 2045.

Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized the achievements of the past five years, stating that NIC has made remarkable progress, becoming the country’s top innovation center with regional influence and a trusted partner of many leading global tech firms.

Looking ahead, with strong leadership from the government, support from ministries and agencies, and solidarity across society, the Minister expressed his belief that NIC will not only connect resources but also become a symbol of Vietnam’s spirit of innovation, helping realize the 2021–2030 socio-economic development strategy and building a strong, prosperous Vietnam by 2045.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment will continue to collaborate with other ministries, sectors, localities, and both domestic and international partners to build a robust innovation ecosystem, contributing to sustainable economic growth and enhancing Vietnam’s position on the global stage. This effort will ignite the nation’s development aspirations, promote the cultural and human values of Vietnam, and mobilize all resources for rapid and sustainable development driven by science, technology, and innovation.

The event also featured participation from leading technology enterprises. International experts shared insights on emerging technologies and business development strategies in Vietnam, while discussing cooperation opportunities to boost the country’s innovation capacity.

Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, stated that Meta is honored to partner with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to support the development of AI in Vietnam. He reaffirmed Meta’s commitment to the country’s long-term vision of making AI a key pillar of the digital economy. Raymond Teh, Senior Vice President of NVIDIA, emphasized that AI is accelerating progress in society and the economy, enabling researchers and businesses to tackle major challenges such as healthcare and climate change.

The presence of major corporations such as Petrolimex, Viettel, Sovico Group, T&T Group, Thaco, Visa, MoMo, and CT Group at Innovate Viet Nam 2024 not only highlights Vietnam’s rising position on the global tech map but also reflects their commitment to building a sustainable and prosperous future powered by science, technology, and innovation.

At the ceremony, the Vietnam Innovation Challenge (VIC) 2024 Recognition Ceremony took place. After more than six months since its launch, VIC 2024 attracted over 750 solutions from 20 countries and territories, helping businesses discover more effective approaches and optimize their processes.

The five most outstanding solutions were honored, including Cadence and Nexus Photonics in the semiconductor field, and FPT, Viettel, and CHOSEN in the artificial intelligence sector. Additionally, 15 other innovative solutions were also showcased.

As part of the event, the “Innovative Building Design” award was announced, and two new innovation networks were launched in Singapore and Canada, while recognizing the contributions of 10 existing innovation networks.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính awarded Certificates of Merit to NIC and several individuals who have made significant contributions to Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem. He also highly praised NIC’s efforts in organizing the event, reflecting a deep commitment to fostering innovation.

According to the Prime Minister, innovation is a key factor in enhancing productivity, quality, and the competitiveness of the economy. He emphasized that NIC has achieved important milestones and has become a leading force in innovation in Vietnam.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister declared October 1 as the official Vietnam Innovation Day, calling on all stakeholders to join hands in promoting innovation, with the message:
“Innovate to break through, create to go further in the digital era and green development.”