Vietnamese diaspora to offer new solutions for innovation

Innovations can be improved in the country through nationals that have picked up experience elsewhere, Photo Le Toan

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) last week organised an online conference connecting 150 points across 16 countries to launch InnoCity 2021 and discuss how to enable innovation to become the driving force of economic development.

“The InnoCity 2021 programme is being carried out thanks to the efforts, intelligence, and enthusiasm of many young intellectuals who are studying, researching, and working in Europe, and directing their attention to the homeland,” said Vu Quoc Huy, director of the MPI’s National Innovation Centre (NIC).

The NIC has supported InnoCity 2021 to spill across the world and lure more of Vietnam’s intellectuals to propose initiatives and solutions for the country to overcome the major issues.

InnoCity 2021 is a global programme created by the Union of Vietnamese Students in Europe to connect creatives serving the socioeconomic recovery of the country after the pandemic, as well as mobilise all resources for the innovation of Vietnam over the globe.

During August and October, a hybrid model in combination between online and offline meetings and workshops will be applied to spread the message of the programme. Several professional activities involving the 50 most outstanding initiatives and leading experts will be carried out.

“Numerous activities like art shows, workshops, and investment promotion will gather 200 experts and leaders of ministries, agencies, international and local organisations, and businesses to take place on the last days of December, selecting and honouring a Vietnamese ‘Innovation Rising Star’ in every area,” Huy explained.

Vietnam’s Resolution No.52-NQ/TW dated 2019 on active participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution outlines that it is crucial to develop science and technologies in all areas, as well as a national digital transformation. The resolution also highlights the role of innovation in the development of the country, and requirement to build outstanding policies to lure and use talent, promote innovation, and also work towards fast and sustainable development.

Vietnam is currently facing challenges to contain the pandemic and keep the economy on track. The government is interested in tech-applied solutions to track and fight against the coronavirus, as well as assist people financially. Thus, in addition to measures in supporting individuals and businesses, the MPI is also mobilising solutions in social welfare.

Nguyen Viet Anh, vice chairman of the Germany-Vietnam Innovation Forum and chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Students in Germany, said that innovation “can help seek resources providing vaccines, ventilators, test kits, and medicines for COVID-19 to help the government manage the health crisis.”

Le Viet Nguyen, a representative of the InnoCity programme, said that the pandemic could yet be a chance for some countries, including Vietnam, to compete with developed countries in some areas. “Countries will pour trillions of US dollars into recovering their economy and production. Thereby, good concepts, productions, and solutions from Vietnamese intellectuals overseas would be more than welcome here, and Vietnam can enjoy this know-how to progress and compete with cutting-edge products sooner rather than later,” Nguyen said.

Three years ago, the Vietnam Innovation Network was launched to gather hundreds of overseas Vietnamese scientists and other experts to mobilise resources and brainpower in science and technology. To date, the network has connected over 1,000 young Vietnamese talents around the world and boasts four representative offices in Germany, the United States, Japan, and South Korea.