THE HANOI TIMES — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam on August 10 urged the Vietnam Innovation Network in the Republic of Korea to spearhead initiatives and promote the transfer of knowledge and expertise, bringing global advances to Vietnam.

At a meeting with network members, Lam said that innovation, digital transformation, and science-technology are among the main driving forces for Vietnam to become a developed, high-income country by 2045.

The others are deeper international integration in the new context, reform in lawmaking and enforcement, and private sector development.

The Party chief underlined the importance of high-quality human resources, as well as the intellectuals, experts, and entrepreneurs who contribute to national development.

He urged the network to connect Vietnamese experts, intellectuals, and entrepreneurs in South Korea with agencies, organizations, and businesses in Vietnam.

He also noted that the network’s initiatives and solutions are practical for enabling Vietnam to join the value chains of leading global technology corporations, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, autonomous devices, aerospace, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Lam assigned the Ministry of Finance to coordinate, connect, and facilitate knowledge transfer, turning ideas and proposals into concrete solutions and high value-added products to help address major national challenges.

At the meeting, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang said that the overseas Vietnamese intellectual community, especially those in innovation and high-tech fields, will play an important role in the country’s new development era.

He added that contributing to national development does not necessarily require returning to Vietnam. It can also be done through connecting resources, sharing knowledge, and fostering international cooperation.

The Vietnam Innovation Network, under the sponsorship of the National Innovation Center (NIC), operates in 22 countries and territories with over 2,000 members, including experts, scientists, and chief engineers in key industries.

The meeting was part of the state visit to the Republic of Korea by a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Party General Secretary To Lam from August 10 to 13.

Also on August 10, Lam and the Vietnamese delegation met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and members of the Vietnamese community in South Korea.