Connecting Vietnam's innovation ecosystem with the international one
At the meeting, Director of the Department of International Cooperation Nguyen Thien Nghia briefly reported on the outstanding results and development orientation of the Department in the coming time. Accordingly, after the merger, the Department of International Cooperation will be responsible for 6 core contents: Policy development, foreign affairs management, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization and management, science and technology representative network, database and administrative reform.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung chaired the working session with the Department of International Cooperation.
With the vision of turning Vietnam into a regional innovation center, the Department of International Cooperation has identified its mission as a bridge between knowledge and technology. According to Mr. Nguyen Thien Nghia, international cooperation is not only about research cooperation, but also about proactively establishing connection channels with leading countries, organizations, technology corporations and research institutes, in order to promote technology transfer, learn from experiences in science and technology development, and at the same time create conditions for domestic technology enterprises to access the global market.
The Department has also promoted its proactive role, actively participated, and made substantial contributions to specialized international organizations, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's prestige and position, attracting international resources to serve the development of national science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. Promote the establishment and expansion of digital partnerships, create a foundation to support the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, promote the digital economy , and at the same time form new driving forces for economic growth. Effectively utilize the signed FTA network, promote the signing and implementation of cooperation agreements in strategic areas such as digital transformation, digital economy, semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence (AI) with important partners. The Department has strengthened the organization of connection activities, trade promotion and market access for digital technology enterprises to bring "Make in Vietnam" products to the world. Build brands and attract international partners through major events such as Vietnam International Digital Week. Develop a global digital partner network and build an international database, while developing a knowledge system - Virtual Assistant on international cooperation.
Director of International Cooperation Department Nguyen Thien Nghia reported at the meeting.
Mr. Nguyen Thien Nghia said that, up to now, international cooperation activities have basically focused on scientific research cooperation, exchange and discussion on the legal framework for technology management, digital management, connecting partners for domestic startups, and making a list of experts. Accordingly, Mr. Nghia stated that the upcoming new space of international cooperation will be: Technology transfer, bringing foreign technology into domestic implementation; connecting the Vietnamese innovation ecosystem with the international one; connecting incubators with incubators, innovation clusters with innovation clusters, connecting foreign experts with the domestic innovation ecosystem; shifting from harmonizing international standards to proactively participating in shaping international standards; shifting from committing to protecting intellectual property of foreign products in the Vietnamese market to promoting intellectual property protection of Vietnamese products in foreign markets...
Shaping the rules of the global technology game
Assessing the context of digital transformation and innovation dominating the global order, the Department of International Cooperation has identified the key task in 2025 as participating in the development of global technology mechanisms, standards, and laws. Key organizations such as the United Nations, ITU, WIPO, WTO, OECD, WEF, ISO, IEC, etc. will be important forums in which Vietnam needs to be present and have a voice.
The Department proposed establishing an interdisciplinary working group consisting of experts, businesses, and research institutes to research and propose national strategies in international forums. At the same time, it is necessary to encourage large technology enterprises and startups to participate in shaping the "rules of the game" because they are the ones directly affected.
A notable proposal is the establishment of a working group to support Vietnamese enterprises in negotiating and acquiring core technology and intellectual property assets from abroad. Solutions include: leveraging diplomatic networks, building a database of target enterprises, organizing networking events, providing in-depth legal advice, and establishing a fund to support technology M&A.
In the long term, the Department of International Cooperation will focus on promoting cooperation with technologically advanced countries such as the US, EU, Japan, Korea, Singapore, etc., making technology a high-level dialogue content associated with geopolitical incentives.
In the 2026 - 2030 period, the Department will focus on three pillars: building a bridge of knowledge and technology, mobilizing and optimizing international resources, and minimizing integration barriers.
At the meeting, representatives of the units under the Ministry discussed the current status of international cooperation activities in their units, and proposed directions for coordination with the Department of International Cooperation to improve the effectiveness of implementing foreign affairs programs and activities. The delegates also focused on discussing many contents related to international cooperation in the fields of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.
Representatives of some units discussed at the meeting.
Proactive innovation
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy emphasized that the Department of International Cooperation plays an important role in building the overall strategy on international cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology. In the context of the newly merged Ministry, with a wide scope of management, the Department needs to change comprehensively, systematically and proactively.
The Deputy Minister requested that the Department urgently develop a comprehensive international cooperation plan at the ministerial level, and at the same time develop a set of criteria to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of international cooperation in recent times, thereby enhancing the role of international connections in science and technology... The Deputy Minister emphasized that connections must be closely linked to technology: it is necessary to proactively research and learn modern models, boldly apply technology and take advantage of AI in work implementation.
"The "gatekeeper" role of the Department of International Cooperation needs to be seriously implemented, ensuring compliance with the Party and State's foreign policies and guidelines and international commitments. The Department of International Cooperation not only plays the role of "bait", opening up new opportunities for international cooperation, but also has to play a good role in coordinating, connecting, supervising, and promoting effective implementation by units. The Deputy Minister also noted that specialized units need to proactively implement international cooperation in their areas of responsibility, and the Department of International Cooperation plays the role of focal point for coordination and implementation support."
Deputy Minister Bui The Duy spoke at the meeting.
Deputy Minister Bui The Duy suggested that the Department of International Cooperation take the initiative in training and improving the capacity of its staff, boldly transferring and assigning them for short-term periods to other units to enhance practicality and work cohesion. International Cooperation staff must integrate thinking, capacity and action.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that a country cannot "become a dragon" without taking advantage of human quintessence and promoting internal strength. Therefore, international cooperation must shift from support to strategic coordination, commanding the entire international cooperation force in the Ministry. The units are the main force, proactively proposing, the Department of International Cooperation is the focal point for coordination, not doing it for them, but playing the role of synthesizing, connecting, and internationalizing the innovation ecosystem.
The Minister pointed out that in the past, international cooperation was mainly organized by locality, but in the new context, it is necessary to restructure according to technology, aiming at areas with potential to create products and breakthroughs, such as AI, energy, digital transformation, semiconductor industry, etc. At the same time, it is necessary to establish a horizontal connection axis between the vertical fields of the Ministry (intellectual property, quality measurement standards, innovation, telecommunications, etc.).
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung gave a speech at the meeting.
"The Department of International Cooperation needs to play the role of a "strategic architect", building major cooperation programs, promoting high-quality growth, associated with digital transformation and green transformation. At the same time, it is the legal focal point for agreements, multilateral and bilateral cooperation, administrative reform, decentralization and clear delegation of power," the Minister emphasized.
The Minister assigned Deputy Minister Bui The Duy to directly reorganize the activities of the Department of International Cooperation and soon complete the organizational structure. Currently, the Department's international cooperation staff only accounts for 20-25%, and it is necessary to connect the remaining 75% from specialized units to create an effective coordination network.
International cooperation must shift from administrative operations to national strategies. From local organization to technology organization, from individual to cross-sectoral connection, linked with businesses, research institutes, startups and international organizations.
In parallel, administrative reform, decentralization, delegation of power, and clear roles for specialized units to implement international cooperation by field must be implemented. International cooperation must be the driving force for innovation and the axis of national development.
On behalf of the Department of International Cooperation, Director Nguyen Thien Nghia expressed his gratitude to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy and leaders of the Ministry's units for their attention, direction and development orientation for the Department in the coming time. Fully accepting the tasks assigned by the Minister, the Department is committed to proactively and seriously implementing them. In the coming time, the Department will reorganize its activities in a new direction, contributing more effectively to the development of the industry as well as serving the socio-economic development goals of the country.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, representatives of leaders of some units under the Ministry took a photo with the Department of International Cooperation.
Source: https://mst.gov.vn/doi-moi-toan-dien-cong-tac-hop-tac-quoc-te-trong-linh-vuc-khcn-197250716093504364.htm
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