The PII was built to provide a realistic, overall picture of the current state of socioeconomic development based on science, technology, and innovation in each city and province. The index provides evidence of the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of each locality, and the conditions needed to improve.

The Ministry of Science and Technology announced the Provincial Innovation Index 2023 (PII) on March 12

The 2023 PII has 52 indicators divided into seven pillars. The five input pillars reflect factors that create favourable conditions for socioeconomic development based on science, technology, and innovation, including (1) institutions, (2) human resources and research and development, (3) infrastructure, (4) market development level and (5) enterprise development level.

The two output pillars are (6) knowledge, creativity, and tech products, and (7) impact.

Topping the index was Hanoi, followed by Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Danang, Can Tho, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Quang Ninh, and Thai Nguyen.

Propping up the PII were Dak Nong, Quang Tri, Bac Kan, Son La, Yen Bai, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Gia Lai, Lai Chau, and Cao Bang.

Localities in the top group have favourable natural and geographical conditions (concentrated in the Red River Delta and Southeast regions), with the industry, construction, and services sectors accounting for a large proportion of their economic structure; many industrial parks; developed infrastructure; and strong science, technology, and innovation.

The result of the Provincial Innovation Index 2023 (PII)

Localities in the bottom group have unfavourable geographical locations and natural conditions for the development and application of science, technology, and innovation in socioeconomic development. They are concentrating in the Central Highlands, midlands, and northern mountainous regions.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said that the government had assigned the ministry to upgrade an existing local index to a national level from 2023. To carry out this task, MoST researched and consulted with ministries, agencies, localities and experts to complete the 2023 Local Innovation Index Set and organised its implementation on a nationwide scale.

He emphasised that the index provides scientific and practical bases for agencies, organisations, and individuals to use as they build and implement policies to promote local socioeconomic development based on science, technology, and innovation. The ministry also said the PII will be a useful reference for investors for their business activities in each locality.

The ministry hopes to continue receiving support from ministries, agencies, localities and international organisations to perfect and deploy the PII every year as assigned by the government to improve the business environment and enhance competitiveness.