Innovate Vietnam 2024 and the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the National Innovation Centre (NIC) will be held at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi on October 1-2.

Innovate Vietnam 2024 and the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the National Innovation Centre (NIC) will be held at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi on October 1-2.

The event will bring together key stakeholders from Vietnam's innovation ecosystem to review achievements over the past five years and honour contributions to the ecosystem's growth, with the NIC playing a leading role.

Innovate Vietnam 2024 will feature a technology exhibition and experience area with more than 100 booths showcasing the latest advancements in various fields, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and green energy.

It will also host a series of conferences and forums featuring prominent domestic and foreign speakers, including Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, who will share insights into global technology trends and challenges. The discussions will focus on the impact of these trends on businesses, the younger generation, and the overall innovation landscape in Vietnam.

A key highlight of the event is the award ceremony recognising outstanding contributions to Vietnam's innovation ecosystem. Notably, the Vietnam Innovation Challenge Awards will honour the most innovative solutions to the country’s pressing challenges. The event will conclude with the Better Choice Awards Gala, blending contemporary art with cutting-edge technology for a creative, futuristic experience.

The Vietnam Innovation Network Platform, a new initiative designed to connect Vietnamese experts and professionals with startups and innovation projects, will be launched on this occasion.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said that innovation, driven by science and technology, plays a crucial role in fostering creativity and economic advancement.

Five years since its establishment, the NIC has developed policies to support innovation for small- and medium-sized enterprises, completed infrastructure for its operations, and created incentive mechanisms for innovation. The centre has also fostered the development of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem, involving all key stakeholders, supporting businesses in accessing resources and contributing to the development of high-quality human resources in Vietnam.

The establishment of NIC reflects the Government's strong commitment to making innovation a key driver of Vietnam's growth in this new era, Ngoc said.

NIC Director Vu Quoc Huy said the centre has launched various programmes in support of startups, including training cooperation with major partners like Google and Meta.

Over the past five years, the NIC has also proposed revisions and supplements to innovation-related policies, and the issuance of the Law on Investment with various incentives to startup projects in Vietnam, he continued.

The centre will work together with the Ministry of Science and Technology to finalise relevant mechanisms and policies under the Information Technology Law, he said./.