The National Innovation Center (NIC) Hoa Lac in Hanoi’s Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park has been positioned as a hub for Vietnam-Japan technology cooperation, where businesses, research institutes and universities can jointly research, test and develop products while connecting with investors.
The Vietnam-Japan Innovation Forum 2026 was held at NIC Hoa Lac on August 13 to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation among businesses, research institutions, universities and partners from the two countries.
Under the new direction, cooperation at Hoa Lac will move beyond resource networking toward technology research, testing and development, with a focus on generating concrete investment projects.
As part of a project funded by the Japanese Government to strengthen NIC’s innovation support capacity, the Vietnam-Japan Innovation Hub is being established at NIC Hoa Lac in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The hub will serve as a platform for practical technology cooperation, enabling businesses, research institutes and universities from both countries to conduct joint research, testing and training and connect with investors.
Semiconductor human resources development is one of the key areas of cooperation. A Vietnam-Japan Semiconductor Human Resources Development Working Group was launched at the forum, bringing together Japan’s Embassy in Vietnam, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), NIC, Japanese semiconductor companies and four leading Vietnamese engineering universities.
The group will assess supply-demand gaps, link industry needs with universities’ training and research capacity, and promote talent development programs.
Other strategic technology fields, including UAVs, quantum technology and cybersecurity, have also been identified as priorities. NIC’s technology networks are gradually shifting from networking platforms to “action networks” focused on knowledge sharing, workforce development, technology testing and new partnerships.
