Vietnam and Austria promote cooperation in high-tech and innovation fields.

On May 16th, the "Vietnam-Austria High-Tech Cooperation and Innovation Forum" officially took place in Vienna, with the participation of numerous experts, policymakers, and representatives of leading technology companies from both countries.

The event serves as an important platform to promote strategic cooperation in core technologies, innovation, and digital transformation, aiming to build a sustainable collaborative ecosystem and share knowledge and resources between Vietnam and Austria in the digital age.

The forum was hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria, in collaboration with the National Innovation Center (NIC) - Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), with the participation of many leading Austrian technology corporations such as Infineon Technologies Austria, Dynatrace, TTTech, EV Group, Silicon Austria Labs, along with prominent Vietnamese businesses such as FPT, VNPT, Genetica, Sovico...

In particular, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung delivered an online keynote address, demonstrating the Vietnamese Government's deep concern for the strategic direction of innovation ecosystem development, while emphasizing its commitment to promoting international technology cooperation to serve the goals of sustainable development and global integration.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung stated that after more than 50 years of friendly relations, Vietnam and Austria are now important trading partners of each other in the ASEAN region and Europe.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that this serves as a basis and foundation for the two countries to promote cooperation in many other fields in the future.

He also expressed his admiration for the results and achievements that Austria has made in the fields of core technologies, source technologies, quantum computing, biology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), etc.

Sharing his vision for becoming a high-income developed country by 2045, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized: "Vietnam identifies science and technology and innovation as breakthroughs and important driving forces to promote growth, improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of the economy ."

To promote science, technology, and innovation, Vietnam is focusing on removing institutional barriers, investing in infrastructure, and training human resources. These efforts aim to meet development needs in the new context, while also promoting digital transformation across the entire economy and strengthening international cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung delivered a directive speech online. (Source: Vietnam+)

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung proposed four key areas of cooperation between the two countries: strengthening cooperation in industries such as AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, biotechnology, building research and development (R&D) centers and training human resources; implementing a program to enhance innovation capacity and digital transformation for small and medium-sized enterprises; cooperating in the development of green energy, testing green hydrogen chains, and new technologies for small and medium-sized power plants; and promoting the core role of innovation centers in startup incubation and fostering public-private partnerships.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung also requested the Austrian government, universities, and research institutes to strengthen support for Vietnamese students through scholarship programs; support innovative Vietnamese start-ups; and build networks of experts and scientists to connect with each other, conduct research together, and promote new technologies to contribute to enhancing Vietnam's technological capacity.

Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Vietnam Philipp Agathonos and representatives from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism also delivered online speeches congratulating the Forum on its success, expressing confidence in its potential, and pledging to make every effort to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of high technology and innovation.

Speaking at the conference, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang emphasized: “We are living in a volatile and unpredictable world. However, this is a favorable time, with many opportunities and prospects to promote high-tech cooperation, digital technology, and innovation between Vietnam and Austria.”

Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang assessed this as a moment of expectation where the two countries "meet": Vietnam is actively transforming itself into a technological and innovative nation, while Austria is a dynamic economy, rising to become a developed nation based on science, technology, and innovation, and also an emerging digital technology hub in Europe.

Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang speaks at the seminar. (Source: Vietnam+)

Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang also affirmed that Vietnam is emerging as a potential market with clear and strong orientations in the high-tech sector. Resolution 57/NQ-TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo has identified key investment areas such as: AI; Big Data; semiconductors, integrated circuits, chips; automation; biotechnology; blockchain; Internet of Things (IoT); and next-generation 5G and 6G mobile networks. “With a population of over 100 million people, a young, tech-savvy demographic, and a strategic location as a ‘gateway’ to Southeast Asia, Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for global technology corporations.”

In an interview with VNA, Professor Karen Lips, Deputy Director General of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), stated that IIASA could be an ideal partner for Vietnam, thanks to its superior scientific expertise and global network.

Professor Lips emphasized that IIASA provides a unique portfolio of scientific expertise, proven analytical tools, and a vast global network of collaborations. These are crucial elements in supporting the development of collaborative solutions and policies with practical impact.

Speaking at the Forum, Mr. Vo Xuan Hoai, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center (NIC), affirmed that in the process of perfecting institutions, developing human resources, and investing in infrastructure serving technology, innovation, and digital transformation, Vietnam has always identified international cooperation as a strategic and long-term direction.

He shared: "In particular, promoting cooperation with the Republic of Austria - a country with strengths in research and development of core technologies - is considered an important step to support Vietnam in developing strategic industries, including semiconductors, AI, quantum technology, electronics, and clean energy."

Delegates attending the forum. (Source: Vietnam+)

Through the Forum, Vietnam once again affirmed its role as a strategic link in the global innovation value chain, and as an attractive destination for "tech giants" from Austria and Europe seeking investment opportunities and expansion in Southeast Asia.

The event not only opened up a space for open and substantive dialogue between the business community, policymakers, and researchers of the two countries, but also laid the foundation for deeper cooperation in areas such as technology transfer, development of high-quality human resources, and especially building a common foundation for a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive digital future.

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