Innovating and creating many new software and technologies to serve the development of the digital economy and digital society.

Advantages and bottlenecks are intertwined.

In recent years, Hue has seen many positive signs in developing its innovation ecosystem and improving its PII (Provincial Innovation Index). In 2024, Hue rose to 13th place nationwide in PII, and by 2025, it had broken through to enter the Top 5 leading localities nationwide. The city is also among the Top 10 provinces and cities with outstanding achievements in building and developing the national innovation and startup ecosystem, and was awarded a certificate of merit by the Minister of Science and Technology .

The creative startup scene is becoming increasingly vibrant. The annual Hue City Creative Startup Competition attracts approximately 70-95 project applications, featuring many outstanding innovative startup projects in various fields. This competition has also given rise to 52 innovative startup businesses. The city currently has 3 incubators and innovation support centers; 30 businesses with innovative processes and business models; and 13 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) collaborating on research and development with institutes and universities.

Notably, the HueEcom e-commerce platform has supported 33 businesses and household businesses in their digital transformation, bringing more than 970 products to the platform, contributing to expanding the market and increasing the value of local products.

However, despite the positive results, the process of improving Hue's PII index and developing its innovation ecosystem still reveals some limitations. The network of science and technology organizations is still thin, mainly concentrated in the public sector; there is a lack of strong intermediary organizations to support technology transfer. The ratio of local budget expenditure on science and technology to GRDP is only about 0.65%, low compared to development requirements and compared to leading localities nationwide.

The infrastructure of industrial zones and clusters is not yet developed synchronously; the percentage of investment projects operating in industrial zones and clusters remains low. Hue's economy is still small, and its contribution to the national GDP is modest; the economic structure is shifting slowly towards industries with high scientific and technological content.

According to the Department of Science and Technology's assessment, the number of science and technology enterprises in the area is only 11, and the proportion of innovative startups among newly established businesses is not high. Many startups still focus on traditional models and have little application of technology. Research cooperation between businesses and universities and research institutes has not truly gone into depth; businesses have not played a central role in commissioning research and innovation. Many products, especially OCOP products, still lack innovation, design, processing technology, and branding; the number of registered patents and utility models remains limited.

Collaborative and innovative solutions

For the period 2026-2030, Hue City identifies science and technology, innovation, and creative entrepreneurship as important drivers for promoting economic growth, improving productivity, quality, and competitiveness. The focus is on developing an innovation ecosystem in a synchronized and sustainable manner, linked to the unique advantages of the locality, while simultaneously improving the quality of the component criteria of the PII index.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology Tran Thi Thuy Yen, the dissemination and promotion of the meaning and content of the PII index, as well as raising awareness and responsibility among all levels, sectors, and localities, need to be carried out regularly. PII results should be linked to evaluating the effectiveness of the agency's and unit's management and the responsibility of its head.

Institutions and policies for the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation also need to be improved. This includes reviewing and promulgating mechanisms to encourage research, application, and technology transfer; promoting the development of the digital economy, digital society, and new business models; and gradually forming economic sectors with high knowledge and technology content.

Developing high-quality human resources in science and technology is also a key solution. According to many opinions, Hue needs to strengthen training, attract, and utilize a team of experts and scientists; enhance linkages between businesses and universities and research institutes; and leverage its advantages as a major center for education, training, and specialized healthcare in the country.

In particular, the formation of groundbreaking innovation support institutions is of decisive importance. According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Son, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Science and Technology, Hue City will soon establish a City-level Innovation Center and a Center for Supporting Innovative Startups. This will be the focal point for advising and supporting businesses from the idea generation stage, through business establishment, to market connection and product development.

Alongside this, a center comprising shared research and product testing laboratories should be established to address the long-standing bottlenecks in Hue. Initially, priority should be given to laboratories focusing on biotechnology, software, data, artificial intelligence, and digital communication. Simultaneously, a center for quality measurement standards and research centers related to resources, environment, and nature should be formed. This will be crucial infrastructure to help businesses test and evaluate products, improve quality, and enhance commercialization. These synchronized and effective solutions and directions will contribute to realizing the goal of making Hue a center for science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, in line with Resolution 57 of the Politburo.

Text and photos: Hoai Thuong

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/suc-bat-cho-doi-moi-sang-tao-162610.html