The reason why Vietnam has a National Innovation Festival
According to Mr. Nguyen Mai Duong, Director of Innovation Department, Ministry of Science and Technology, this year's festival has the theme "Innovation - the driving force for the development of the entire society", showing that this is no longer the private work of scientists, researchers or technology businesses, but an activity with the participation of the entire society.
He said that this year's theme closely follows the orientation of shifting from innovation in some fields to innovation of the entire society. Accordingly, each person is an innovative subject, each business must consider this a "vital condition" for development, each ministry, branch and locality must become an innovation center in the field in charge. This is to build a learning society, a creative society and widely spread a culture of innovation throughout society.
From 2024, October 1 every year will be chosen by the Government as the National Innovation Day, then stipulated in Decree No. 268/2025, assigning the Ministry of Science and Technology to preside and coordinate with local ministries and branches to promulgate plans to organize activities.
This year, the main event takes place on October 4 at the National Convention Center, with the participation of leaders of the Government, ministries, branches, businesses, research institutes, and universities, with a series of activities to honor, perform, and introduce new and advanced technologies transferred and mastered. The results of the 2026 Local Innovation Index (PII) were also announced at the event. Within the framework of the program there is also the awarding ceremony of the 2026 Scientific Innovation Award and the 2026 Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Book Award.
The festival also has an exhibition space of more than 100 booths, with the participation of large corporations and businesses such as Samsung, Meta along with financial institutions, banks and credit institutions. Mr. Nguyen Mai Duong said that "the participation of many components will promote elements in the innovation ecosystem".
According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the 2026 National Innovation Festival is not only a socio-political event to spread the spirit of innovation throughout society but also an affirmation of the Government and Prime Minister in implementing Resolution No. 57 on breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation and Resolution No. 19 on Vietnam's new development model. 2026 is the year of action, shifting strongly from "institution building" to "implementation", from guidelines and policies to specific actions and results; promote the creativity of people, businesses, scientists and the whole society, making innovation a practical driving force of the new growth model.
Trong Dat