A fair and inclusive digital future

Speaking at the ceremony to respond to the World Innovation and Creativity Day (ICR) 2025, Minister of Science and Technology (MOST) Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that in the context of limited investment in science and technology, innovation plays a key role, becoming a driving force for socio-economic development in Vietnam as well as many developing countries.

Innovation for everyone

April 21 of each year is chosen by the United Nations as World Innovation and Creativity Day with the aim of raising awareness of the role of innovation and creativity in economic development, building a sustainable society and promoting all aspects of human development.

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung.

After adopting the Resolution in 2017 and declaring April 21 every year as the World Day of Creativity and Innovation, the United Nations has played an important role in promoting innovation as a key factor in achieving the sustainable development goals. Through UN agencies, it has been supporting countries - including Vietnam - to build innovation policies, develop innovation ecosystems, establish rights and exploit intellectual property development.

Since 2021, immediately after being assigned the task by the Government and the Prime Minister, on April 21 every year, the Ministry of Science and Technology has organized a ceremony to respond to the World Innovation and Creativity Day.

In 2025, the Response Ceremony was held in the context that Vietnam is resolutely implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, promoting the combined strength of the entire political system, the active participation of businesses, research institutes, universities and people in promoting innovation activities to serve socio-economic development, ensure national defense and security, and improve the quality of people's lives.

According to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, innovation will determine whether science and technology brings practical value or not, while helping to create national competitiveness and directly contributing to economic growth.

"Mastering core technology is still difficult for us at this time, but creatively applying core technology to solve Vietnam's development problems is feasible. At this stage, more priority is given to innovation to rapidly develop the country," said Minister Nguyen Manh Hung.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said that with Resolution 57, innovation and digital transformation have been considered a top strategic priority for Vietnam on the path to achieving high income by 2045. This is a strong signal - supported by the commitment to spend 3% of the national budget on science, technology and innovation.

Vietnam’s digital economy now accounts for 18.3% of GDP, growing faster than any other country in Southeast Asia. Nearly all citizens have broadband coverage, and 5G is expanding rapidly.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam.

However, Ms Pauline Tamesis said, gaps still exist: in rural areas, internet usage is 10% lower than in urban areas; among women in remote areas, smartphone ownership is 26% lower than men; and only 10% of girls want to pursue STEM careers, compared with 24% of boys.

Innovation is for everyone, not selective, says Pauline Tamesis. Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping economies and societies. In Vietnam, 54% of public agencies have used AI, but only 20% have ethical guidelines for its use. This raises fundamental questions: How to ensure fairness? How to protect rights? And how to prevent technology from deepening inequality?

The UN agency supporting Vietnam provides specialized analysis and advice on AI ethics and helps strengthen governance frameworks, said Pauline Tamesis, adding: “We are investing in education, green and digital skills training and career pathways, and promoting inclusion – especially for women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.”

Pauline Tamesis stressed the importance of innovating boldly but responsibly, calling for connecting people, not just devices; ensuring that the digital future is not only fast and smart, but also fair and inclusive.

Pauline Tamesis calls for us to embrace a culture where innovation and creativity become a way of life for individuals and organizations. This means creating an environment where new ideas are encouraged, creativity is celebrated and innovative thinking is integrated into everyday practices.

Key to creating the future

The State plays an important role in promoting the innovation ecosystem, especially in the initial stage. Not only creating and guiding, the State also plays a role in connecting and ensuring a favorable environment for the development of the ecosystem's actors.

In Vietnam, the National Innovation Center (NIC) has gradually affirmed its role as a national focal point for innovation, as a leading unit connecting a complete innovation ecosystem for Vietnam. Sharing about NIC's journey in connecting and promoting innovation culture in Vietnam, Mr. Vo Xuan Hoai, Deputy Director of the Center, said that innovation culture leads NIC to accompany the community, connecting the 3-house model of "state - scientist - school". At the same time, there have been cooperations with many universities, technology enterprises, and large domestic and international corporations.

Mr. Vo Xuan Hoai, Deputy Director of the National Center for Innovation, spoke at the event.

At the Response Ceremony, the enterprise directly told the story of innovation and how to implement it to achieve the main goal of innovation, which is to improve efficiency, increase performance, create value for the company and contribute to socio-economic development.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien, General Director of CNCTech Group Joint Stock Company, said that thanks to innovation, a mechanical enterprise (purely manufacturing) like CNCTech has reached the global market with a small marketing workforce. CNCTech's marketing department (operating globally) has only 5 people. Therefore, organizing to serve many orders at the same time (while each order requires a small quantity of goods) is a difficult problem. CNCTech must mobilize initiatives and apply smart management models to optimize operations and improve product quality.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien, General Director of CNCTech Group Joint Stock Company, shares the Company's innovation experience.

Mai Thi Phuong, a third-year student from the Faculty of Information Technology, Academy of Posts and Telecommunications Technology, expressed her honor to represent the Academy's students to share her thoughts and experiences about the spirit of creativity and her awareness of the value of innovation after participating in exchange activities with students from international universities and through student projects.

Phuong said she was involved in the Skynet innovation project, a project that uses drones combined with radar and AI technology to help search for people in storms and floods. The project won first prize in the Asia-Pacific Tech4Good competition, and was invited to participate in the international competition in 2025.

Mai Thi Phuong, 3rd year student, Faculty of Information Technology, Academy of Posts and Telecommunications Technology.

"Skynet's success has brought us great inspiration and confidence. We believe that young Vietnamese people can absolutely shine and compete on the international creative playground. We are confident that the country's big problems will be solved if we dare to think and dare to do. We are confident that the spirit of innovation is the key to opening the door to the future," said Mai Thi Phuong.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/tuong-lai-so-cong-bang-va-danh-cho-tat-ca-moi-nguoi-197250423100202607.htm