Building “laboratories” for new economic models at the local level

This was the key message delivered by Mr. Nguyễn Quang Vinh, Vice President of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), during the panel discussion “Japan–Viet Nam Local Innovation: Synergizing Intelligence, Elevating Value, Shaping the Digital Future” held as part of the recent Viet Nam–Japan Local Cooperation Forum.

A foundation for sustainable development

As the global and regional economy enters a new era marked by accelerated technological change, Viet Nam must actively seek breakthrough solutions to advance science and technology, foster innovation, embrace digital transformation, and pursue sustainable growth. These efforts aim to generate high value-added products and services connected to global value chains.

VCCI Vice President Nguyễn Quang Vinh emphasized, “Innovation is not only a key driver of value creation but is also a foundation for sustainable and inclusive development. This is increasingly urgent as we confront major challenges such as digital transformation, climate change, population aging, and the restructuring of global supply chains.”

In recent years, Viet Nam and Japan have worked to advance their development goals, elevating their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and making high technology and innovation one of the new pillars of bilateral cooperation. Therefore, strengthening dialogue, promoting cooperation, and developing policies that allow Vietnamese and Japanese businesses and localities to “join hands” for development is both timely and essential.

Commenting on this, Mr. Nguyễn Quang Vinh stressed, “If policy provides direction, then localities are where policy implementation happens—and businesses are the engine of innovation.”

He added that the role of local governments is becoming increasingly vital: they act as creative centers, policy implementation hubs, facilitators of business cooperation, testbeds for pilot models, and multipliers of innovation knowledge. Local authorities must become “laboratories” for new economic models.

Four core issues requiring deeper study

To realize these goals, collective effort is needed—from local governments and from both domestic and foreign enterprises.

VCCI Vice President identified four core issues that require focused research to unlock the “key” to innovation-led development between Viet Nam and Japan’s localities in the current context:

First, regarding the overall landscape of cooperation, there is a need to assess achievements and potential in high-tech and innovation collaboration between Viet Nam and Japan.

Second, appropriate policies and support mechanisms from both governments are crucial to encourage strategic investment and the growth of high technology.

Third, local innovation ecosystems must be open and supportive, enabling businesses to grow. Organizations such as JETRO, JCCI, VCCI, as well as Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises, can form direct linkages to build and operate effective innovation ecosystems.

Fourth, it is essential to correctly identify priority cooperation areas, with a strong focus on sharing experience and exploring breakthrough opportunities in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, mobile infrastructure, and semiconductors.

Mr. Nguyễn Quang Vinh noted that the panel “Japan–Viet Nam Local Innovation: Synergizing Intelligence, Elevating Value, Shaping the Digital Future”—with the participation of Vietnamese agency leaders, the Embassy of Japan, key partners such as JICA, and leading businesses—created space for dialogue, idea generation, and practical bilateral cooperation toward sustainable development.

He concluded, “This discussion is not merely a dialogue platform—it is also an important occasion for Viet Nam to consult on the implementation of Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW (22 December 2024) on breakthrough development in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.”