Vietnam taps national innovation portal to turn ideas into real-world solutions
The portal, which can be accessed at sangkien.gov.vn, aims to address the urgent need to mobilize collective intelligence and unlock the creativity of the entire population.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam is making effective use of its newly launched national portal for science, technology and innovation initiatives, designed as an open digital platform linking idea creators with experts and organizations capable of adopting and developing new solutions.
Digital solutions applied in numerous activities across Hanoi, proving the capital's leading role in the nationwide digital transformation progress. Photo: Tue Anh/The Hanoi Times
The portal connects researchers, enterprises and institutions, helping ideas move more quickly from concept to application, according to Dr. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director of the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED).
He said the platform operates in line with directives from the steering committee implementing the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, which seeks breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.
Against this backdrop, initiatives generated by scientists, businesses and the wider public all have the potential to deliver significant socio-economic value if they are properly identified and supported, Chien noted.
To realize that potential, the portal is expected to receive submissions from all segments of society, ensure objective and transparent evaluation and match proposals with the practical needs of enterprises, localities and regulatory bodies.
It will also promote intellectual property protection and the commercialization of high-value initiatives, serving as a bridge between research and practice, the public and private sectors, and domestic and international partners.
According to Vu Van Phan, Acting Head of NAFOSTED’s Digital Transformation Division, the portal is designed as an open system with the participation of ministries, local authorities, evaluation councils, receiving institutions, individuals and the online community.
Notably, the portal will integrate a global network of Vietnamese AI experts currently working in leading research institutions and technology firms worldwide to strengthen evaluation quality and capacity. They can participate remotely in reviewing and advising, helping support research groups and businesses.
Phan said the portal will be upgraded with greater automation, data-analysis tools and connection features to support the application and commercialization of initiatives.
The NAFOSTED hopes the platform will provide a space for registering ideas, as well as help nurture, develop and foster their value within Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.
Sharing his perspective, Dr. Tran The Truyen from Deakin University in Australia believes that the network of Vietnamese AI experts abroad is a unique resource, as they are all working in the world's most advanced AI environments.
"Many Vietnamese expatriate experts are willing to contribute if they see it creating a tangible impact," said Truyen.
He proposed a flexible, long-term participation model that doesn't require full-time return to Vietnam, but focuses on clear roles, specific KPIs and long-term outputs linked to the expert's reputation, thereby creating a ripple effect and strengthening domestic capabilities.
“Vietnam’s newly-launched portal for scientific, technological and innovation initiatives is really ideal for the innovation lifecycle, including idea generation and intellectual property protection, helping to enhance innovation capacity based on practical needs,” said the doctor.
He also proposed a 90-day plan via the portal, aiming to create early successes, spread the participation of overseas Vietnamese experts, based on the principle of "the right motivation - the right mechanism - the right tools."
