More than 150 booths featuring a range of innovative solutions and products are scheduled to go on display at the Vietnam International Innovation Expo 2021 (VIIE 2021) which will be held from January 9-10, 2021, according to details released during a recent press conference.

Tran Duy Dong, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment chairs
the press conference announcing VIIE 2021 activities.

In his address at the press briefing, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong explained that the expo, which will be the first of its kind to be held in the nation, aims to affirm the central role of enterprises, especially domestic technology and foreign-invested enterprises, as part of the innovation ecosystem.  This will thereby show that the country represents a destination for regional innovation moving into a new era.

According to Vu Quoc Huy, vice director in charge of the Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC), VIIE 2021 will take place at a venue within the Hoa Lac High-tech Park which has been specifically reserved for building the NIC.

The function is expected to witness the participation of renowned local businesses, including Viettel, Vingroup, and MoMo, along with foreign-funded firms, such as Samsung, Hyosung, Intel, and Dell, in addition to startups, and several small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Co-operatives, companies, and production facilities representing vulnerable groups and sponsored by the Ministry will also take part.

Furthermore, activities will be held to link startups together; SMEs with investment funds and big companies; foreign-funded firms with their domestic peers; and players operating in the innovation ecosystem.

During the event five workshops are due to be held to discuss the role of innovation as a means of boosting the overall quality of economic growth, innovation in leading enterprises, along with smart consumers in the era of Industry 4.0, among others.

Visitors will be also treated to an introduction and demonstration of impressive technological solutions and products, such as a goods transport robot, offshore wind power turbines, drones conducting search and rescue missions, and novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention and control robots.

Moreover, another highlight will be a STEAM festival held for students. STEAM is an educational approach to learning that utilises Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics as access points for guiding student’s in their inquiries, dialogues, and critical thinking.

The press conference also announced the start of construction of the NIC.

Established under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the centre will open for the purpose of supporting and developing a startup ecosystem in the nation and promoting innovation, whilst also serving as a growth model based on scientific and technological development.