A contest entitled “Innovate like a Swede” was launched in Hanoi on September 9, aiming to encourage Vietnamese youths to raise initiatives and innovative solutions to challenges in sustainable development.

At the launching ceremony 

The annual contest also responds to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

 Addressing the launching ceremony, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Mawe said innovations and creativity are significant to Vietnam’s path towards the SDGs.   

 The deadline for submission is November 19. Participants will form teams of two and their initiatives will be assessed based on whether the entries are innovative, creative, feasible, sustainable and commercially viable, as well as on what kind of lasting impact they will have.

 The first prize is a trip to Sweden to visit headquarters of Swedish companies and Uppsala University.

 Sweden was ranked second in this year's edition of the Global Innovation Index announced in July.

 Meanwhile, Vietnam has jumped three spots to the 42nd position out of 129 world economies in the index.