Perfecting innovation policy – ​​Launch pad for Hanoi to become a smart city

In the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution, Hanoi identifies innovation as the key to development. 6 draft resolutions specifically on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation are being finalized, creating a legal corridor and strong driving force for the capital to create a sustainable development future.

On the afternoon of August 22, at the Hanoi Press Center, the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology coordinated with the Center for Communications, Data and Digital Technology (Office of the Hanoi People's Committee) to organize the Seminar "Perfecting innovation policies - Creating the future of a smart capital".

Expecting breakthroughs from 6 specific Resolutions

In the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution and the global digital transformation trend, innovation has become a key driving force for sustainable development. As the leading political , cultural, educational, scientific and technological center of the country, Hanoi has determined that it needs to take strong, methodical steps to catch up with the trend and rise to the top.

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Viet Hung said that in order to concretize the Capital Law (2024) and major policies of the Central Government, the City is urgently completing 6 draft resolutions specifically on science, technology and innovation, including: Resolution detailing a number of specific policies for the development of science, technology and innovation in Hanoi ; Resolution stipulating mechanisms and policies on investment and support for the development of the innovation ecosystem and creative startups in Hanoi; Resolution stipulating controlled testing activities (sandbox) in Hanoi; Resolution approving the Project to establish the Hanoi Technology Exchange; Resolution approving the Project to establish the Hanoi Venture Investment Fund; Resolution approving the Project to establish the Hanoi Innovation Center. This is considered a "set of six" breakthrough policies to create institutions, invest in infrastructure, develop human resources and perfect the innovation and creative startup ecosystem in the capital.

Seminar on perfecting innovation policies to create a smart future capital

From an academic perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Dang Chinh - Vice President of Hanoi University of Science and Technology emphasized that in order for Hanoi to reach national and international levels and become the locomotive of socio-economic development of the whole country, the City must converge three key factors: Ideas, technology and talent. The 6 draft resolutions this time are the foundation for gathering and promoting those resources.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Dang Chinh, unlike many other cities in Vietnam, Hanoi needs to position itself not only as a smart city, but also as a city with thinking based on data and artificial intelligence. To do that, the City must simultaneously ensure modern and solid infrastructure; build a mechanism for connecting innovation and expand international cooperation so that schools, institutes and global businesses can participate in solving Hanoi's problems. The 6 resolutions are a solid launching pad for that aspiration.

Sandbox – a promising experimental model

One of the highlights that was hotly discussed at the seminar was the sandbox mechanism. This is considered the most innovative policy among the 6 draft resolutions, creating a safe legal corridor for testing new technologies and business models.

According to Tran Dac Trung, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Hanoi Hi-Tech Parks and Industrial Parks, sandbox is a suitable "testing ground" for implementation in high-tech parks - where institutes, schools and businesses converge. "We have synchronous infrastructure, large land funds, and close links with institutes and schools. This will be a space for new ideas to be received, tested and implemented. Sandboxes in the world are not new, but in Hanoi we have to do it and perfect it to suit reality" - Mr. Tran Dac Trung expressed his opinion.

According to Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CMC Technology Group Le Thanh Son, sandbox helps businesses control risks and test new ideas within a safe legal framework. If supported by financial mechanisms, this will be a powerful launching pad for businesses to invest and develop.

Another important content is the policy to attract talent that was also hotly discussed by delegates. According to Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Dang Chinh, the key is to have a mechanism to encourage young researchers and university lecturers to participate in startups. "It is not only financial support, but also a legal mechanism to protect intellectual property rights and facilitate the commercialization of research results" - Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Dang Chinh said.

Regarding the Venture Capital Fund, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance Do Thu Hang said that the Venture Capital Fund cannot follow the old way of just preserving capital. The nature of science and technology is to accept risks. The city committed to spending a maximum of 49% of charter capital, with an initial capital of about 600 billion VND to activate social resources and call for long-term companionship from private investors. The operating mechanism will hire a professional management unit, ensuring publicity, transparency but flexibility. According to Mr. Le Thanh Son, when there is a fund and a sandbox, businesses will have both capital and a legal corridor to implement new ideas.

Hanoi affirms its determination to create a smart capital

Sharing at the seminar, delegates all shared the same view that the three-party linkage model: State - School - Investor is the key. However, the current bottleneck lies in the loose coordination mechanism, while finance and human resources also need to be given synchronous attention.

Sharing about the expectations of businesses, Mr. Le Thanh Son emphasized: "We hope that the new policies will remove procedural barriers and create an open mechanism for technology businesses to develop strongly. If done well, Hanoi can completely become the leading innovation center in the region."

From a management perspective, Mr. Tran Dac Trung believes that high-tech zones and industrial parks will directly contribute to the goal of building a smart capital. Hanoi can learn from successful international models such as Silicon Valley (USA) or Hsinchu High-Tech Park (Taiwan), where policy - infrastructure - human resources operate in harmony.

At the end of the program, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Viet Hung said: All 6 draft resolutions have been submitted for discussion and feedback from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi City, thereby receiving many dedicated and valuable opinions from leaders and people of all walks of life. "We have accepted 100% of valid opinions to complete the draft resolution" - Mr. Hung affirmed.

It is expected that on August 28, the city will organize a workshop to continue to collect opinions from experts, scientists, and domestic and foreign businesses to ensure that the resolutions are feasible and encourage wide participation from all sectors. In the next phase, thematic consultations will continue to be held: with scientists to deepen the theoretical and legal basis; with businesses to make policies more realistic; with the creative startup community to ensure that no potential ideas or individuals are left out. Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung added that even after the People's Council approves, the city will still organize a summary and evaluation to promptly advise on adjustments and adaptation to new development requirements.

The discussion concluded with the expectation that open consultation channels will continue to be maintained, so that Hanoi can build modern and innovative policy mechanisms that truly motivate innovation, towards the goal of becoming the leading innovation center in the country and the region./.

According to Hanoi Moi newspaper

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/hoan-thien-chinh-sach-doi-moi-sang-tao-be-phong-cho-ha-noi-tro-thanh-do-thi-thong-minh-197251019181819064.htm