Continuing to develop according to the old model, Can Tho will find it difficult to achieve breakthroughs and maintain its role as a regional center.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long believes that if Can Tho continues to develop according to the old model, it will be difficult for it to achieve breakthroughs and maintain its role as a regional center. He also suggested several solutions for the development of Can Tho city.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long speaks at the program - Photo: CHI QUOC

On December 16th, at Can Tho University, the People's Committee of Can Tho City, in coordination with the Ministry of Science and Technology, organized the opening ceremony of the Can Tho Science and Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Week 2025.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long suggested that Can Tho should soon establish an innovation center for the Mekong Delta region, serving as a hub connecting research institutes, universities, and local businesses, and as a place to test, refine, and disseminate innovative models and solutions for sustainable development throughout the region.

Furthermore, in reforming the "three-party" relationship (state, research institutions/universities, and businesses), Can Tho needs to place businesses at the center.

Mr. Long argued that the reality in Can Tho shows that although the system of research institutes and universities is relatively concentrated, the links with businesses are still weak. Many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises in agriculture, processing, logistics, and services, lack the capacity to formulate research problems, while research institutions lack the motivation to deeply connect with the market.

Without a change in approach, science and technology will continue to go one way, businesses will go another, and the State will have to walk in the middle to connect the two paths, leading to a dispersion of resources and low efficiency.

Mr. Long also argued that if Can Tho continues to develop according to the old model, it will be difficult for it to break through and maintain its role as the center of the region. Innovation is the way for Can Tho to reorganize its development model, shifting from relying on resources and labor to relying on knowledge, from geographical advantages to creative competitive advantages, and from passive adaptation to resilience and proactive adaptation to climate change and development shocks.

When innovation is placed at the center, Can Tho will be able to shape its own development path, suitable for a central urban area in the Mekong Delta region, playing the role of a knowledge engine, a hub for solutions, and a driving force for the entire Mekong Delta.

"The Ministry of Science and Technology is committed to working alongside Can Tho city in perfecting institutions, developing the ecosystem, and implementing an innovation center that suits the specific characteristics of the Mekong Delta region," Mr. Long added.

The Can Tho Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Week took place from December 16th to 20th with a series of 20 activities, including a highlight event: a science, technology, innovation and digital transformation exhibition space with over 50 booths showcasing more than 500 products and technologies in fields such as national defense and security, cybersecurity, smart cities, financial technology, education, agriculture, tourism, food technology, logistics, etc., with the participation of many international partners.

In addition, there are forums such as: the Mekong Delta Sustainable Development Forum with a vision to 2045; the Innovation and Creativity Forum - Can Tho, a livable city; the 1st Can Tho City Science and Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Forum...

CHI QUOC

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phat-trien-theo-mo-hinh-cu-can-tho-se-kho-but-pha-va-kho-giu-vai-ro-trung-tam-vung-20251216112711291.htm