Prime Minister: 'Bold speed' to turn Vietnam into a center of innovation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the National Startup Festival for students - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On the morning of April 20, at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the opening ceremony of the 7th National Startup Festival for students. This is also the fourth time Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has attended the Festival.

The festival was jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. Also attending were members of the Party Central Committee: Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc; leaders of departments, ministries, branches, central agencies and localities; and a large number of teachers and students.

Start a business at the age of 20-21, why not?

With the aim of promoting the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among young people, the Festival is a playground for creative ideas, while creating a space for connecting students - schools - businesses - investors, with many activities such as admissions consulting, career guidance, seminars, and startup product displays organized simultaneously.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates attend the National Startup Festival for students - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

In particular, at the Festival, the Ministry of Education and Training reported on the summary of the project "Supporting students to start a business until 2025" approved by the Prime Minister in 2017, evaluated the past journey and proposed policy directions for the next phase; at the same time, organized awards for collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in start-up activities in the period of 2017-2025.

The highlight of the Festival is the final round of the "Students with Startup Ideas" contest - where the best projects from all educational institutions nationwide are gathered. From 775 participating projects, the Organizing Committee has selected 125 excellent projects to participate in the final round. In total, after 7 times of organization, the "Students with Startup Ideas" contest has received nearly 2,239 projects.

Speaking at the program, Tran Van Luc, a fourth-year student majoring in Computer Science at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, shared his desire to start a business with the project "Awake Drive - A system to monitor and maintain driver alertness using brainwave technology". Having been a finalist and champion of many student research and startup competitions, Awake Drive is currently the first product on the market to apply brainwave technology to maintain alertness while driving.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates perform the opening ceremony of the 7th National Startup Day for students - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

"There is no limit to those who dare to dream and dare to act. We not only believe in researching good products but also believe that we will bring those good products to consumers. Starting a business at the age of 20 - 21, why not?", Tran Van Luc, a student and also the young CEO of Awake Drive, shared and some suggestions and recommendations.

Mr. Ho Minh Hoang - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Deo Ca Group, a former student of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, proposed a number of solutions to make the national startup ecosystem truly a "nursing ground" for young people with aspirations to create value for society; as well as policies for businesses to coordinate well with schools, contributing to the process of training human resources for the country. In fact, in the world, there have been many typical successful models such as the car company Land Rover cooperating with Warwick University, or the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca cooperating with Oxford University.

"Vietnam does not lack talented young people, what we need is a suitable ecosystem to awaken and properly promote that aspiration; nurturing young human resources is a sustainable way to invest in the future of the country," said Mr. Hoang, affirming that Deo Ca and many other Vietnamese enterprises are always ready to accompany, share experiences, guide, and create conditions for the young generation to develop themselves and their careers.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Kim Chi delivered the opening speech of the Festival - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

"Strong youth makes a strong nation"

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his joy at attending the Festival in the jubilant atmosphere of the whole country celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day, in Ho Chi Minh City - the Heroic City in the struggle, the Creative and Integrated City, the Pioneer City in innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Sharing the significance of the historical event 50 years ago, the Prime Minister emphasized that we are living in the historic April days in the city named after beloved President Ho Chi Minh. The great victory in the spring of 1975, culminating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, is the embodiment of the belief and aspiration for independence, freedom and peace of the Vietnamese people, a thousand-year-old culture, peace-loving, humane and just people; it is a historical milestone ending the great resistance war, one of the most brilliant milestones in the heroic history of our nation's struggle to build and defend the country.

The nation's long-term resistance war that led to final victory affirmed President Ho Chi Minh's steadfast and indomitable truth: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom"; "We would rather sacrifice everything than lose our country or become slaves"; "The entire Vietnamese people are determined to devote all their spirit and strength, their lives and property to maintain that freedom and independence."

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: 'Bold speed' to turn Vietnam into a center of innovation - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The 50-year journey of national reunification is a journey for us to remember the heroic history of the nation, to contemplate the lessons learned in the process of striving to build and develop the country, to look back to go further, to look back to become stronger and more proud, and to look towards the future with great spirit, faith and strong, steadfast, steadfast and sustainable motivation.

The Prime Minister affirmed that gaining and maintaining the nation's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, so that the country can have peace, unity and stable development as it does today, is the blood, sweat and tears of many generations of ancestors who have fallen, including millions of Vietnamese youth.

"From there, we truly cherish the meaning of independence and freedom; understand the value of peace; be grateful for the heroic sacrifices of previous generations, the heroes and martyrs of the nation; reflect on ourselves and recognize our responsibilities to the nation, country, family, society and ourselves," the Prime Minister said.

According to the Prime Minister, young people must be pioneers in innovation, startups, and the development of the country - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Sharing about the historical mission of youth in each historical period of the country, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recalled that during his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "Youth are the future masters of the country. The country's prosperity or decline, weakness or strength depends largely on the youth."

From the important events of national history to each stage of the process of mobilizing, developing, building and defending the Fatherland, we have witnessed the special historical missions and important contributions of young people.

From legends, the young descendants of Lac Hong had Phu Dong Thien Vuong - Thanh Giong, during the period of resistance against colonialism, there were young national heroes such as: Hai Ba Trung, Ba Trieu, Dinh Bo Linh, Tran Quoc Toan, Le Loi, Nguyen Hue... During the resistance wars against colonialism, fascism, imperialism, to help the country escape from misery, the people escape from hunger and oppression, we had: Kim Dong, Ly Tu Trong, Tran Van On, Nguyen Van Troi, Vo Thi Sau, Be Van Dan, Phan Dinh Giot, To Vinh Dien...

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son speaks at the Festival - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Head of Government emphasized: Through the ages, Vietnamese youth have always upheld the tradition of patriotism, heroic spirit, indomitability, not afraid of hardship, not afraid of sacrifice, ready to devote themselves, enthusiastically rushing to take the lead in all fields. In the resistance wars against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnamese youth under the Party's guiding flag have always been steadfast in their determination to devote all their spirit and strength, lives and property to maintain the nation's independence with widespread movements such as: "Youth volunteers"; "Splitting Truong Son to save the country"; "3 ready", "3 capable", "Citadel of the Fatherland"... We have witnessed millions of Vietnamese youth volunteering to "put down their pens and go to war" for the sole goal of a completely independent country, a completely free nation, and a prosperous and happy people.

Student Tran Van Luc (4th year student majoring in Computer Science at Hanoi University of Science and Technology) shares his desire to start a business with the project "Awake Drive" - ​​Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

When the country was unified and peace was restored, Vietnamese youth continued to take the initiative and rise up strongly to take on the mission of "participating in national construction in the period of renovation" with many practical movements in building and protecting the Fatherland, developing the economy, striving to get rich, escape poverty, doing scientific research, contributing knowledge, volunteering for community life such as "Vietnamese youth studying and following Uncle Ho's teachings", "Youth starting a business", "Youth protecting the country", "Youth volunteering"...

As President Ho Chi Minh once affirmed: "Youth must be the backbone of the country", through the periods, our Party and State have always attached special importance to the role of youth; considered youth as the key factor, ready to entrust the pioneering mission to youth in the cause of building and developing the country with the motto "Only when the youth is strong, the nation is strong".

"Therefore, with all gratitude to the generations of fathers and brothers who sacrificed for the independence of the nation; with appreciation of the value of peace and freedom; with the responsibility to respond to the trust and expectations of the Party, the State and previous generations; today's youth need to continue to promote the heroic tradition of patriotism, the spirit of self-confidence, self-reliance, self-reliance, national pride, pioneering spirit, shock, dedication, and fighting on all fronts and in all fields to preserve, protect and develop the country, contributing to the realization of the Party's goal of maintaining the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country and bringing happiness and prosperity to the people," the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Ho Minh Hoang - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Deo Ca Group, a former student of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, proposed a number of solutions to make the national startup ecosystem truly a "nursing ground" for young people with aspirations to create value for society - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Promoting the true, core values ​​of Vietnamese youth

The Prime Minister said that the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress sets out two strategic development goals for the next 100 years, of which the growth target is the most important goal to contribute to the implementation of these two strategic goals. To do so, we have determined that we must achieve 8% growth by 2025, preparing for double-digit growth in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the current international and domestic context is posing new requirements, opportunities and challenges, with more challenges than opportunities. In particular, the strong development of science and technology, digital transformation, green economy, circular economy, artificial intelligence, etc. is profoundly changing all areas of social life, requiring the country's science and technology development and digital transformation to be faster, stronger, more substantial and more effective; so that the country can not only "catch up and keep up, but also surpass".

On December 22, 2024, the Politburo issued Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation. An important solution stated in Resolution 57 is: "There must be a strong enough policy to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, along with policies to support startups and attract domestic and foreign enterprises to start up in Vietnam".

The Prime Minister assessed that in recent times, our country has achieved a number of positive results in the development of science and technology, innovation, including the role of start-up activities.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents Certificates of Merit to individuals - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Specifically, the 2024 Global Innovation Index ranked 44/133 countries and economies, up 2 places compared to 2023. Vietnam's Global Startup Ecosystem Index also increased 2 places, from 58 to 56, ranking 5th in Southeast Asia and 12th in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are among the top 200 global startup cities. More than 20 innovative startup hubs have been established across the country, attracting a large number of businesses and investors. In 2024, Vietnam will attract 529 million USD in venture capital for innovative startups.

The Prime Minister assessed that each time the National Startup Festival for Students is organized, there are innovations, but what remains unchanged is the passion, aspiration, determination, spirit and determination of the young people.

"Over the past 7 years, it can be affirmed that the Startup Festival is not only an annual event, but also a place where every dream and aspiration to start a business of students, no matter how small, is guided, nurtured and given wings. This is a place where young, ambitious minds gather; a place connecting education, businesses and policies; a place where together we spread and create an ecosystem and a space for sustainable startup development," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister expressed pride in seeing the ideas of students being nurtured into shape - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Visiting the space displaying creative startup ideas of students within the framework of the Festival, the Prime Minister expressed his pride when seeing the ideas of students being nurtured into shape; becoming practical models and products, making positive contributions to society, the community, their families and themselves.

The Prime Minister was pleased to learn that after 7 years of implementing the Project "Supporting students to start a business until 2025" (Project 1665), up to now, 100% of universities, academies, colleges, intermediate schools and 63/63 Departments of Education and Training have had plans to implement creative startups. More than 42,000 startup projects have been born from students. The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at all levels has organized more than 3,500 creative idea competitions, attracting nearly 480,000 young people to participate with nearly 23,000 startup ideas...

Many young people have started their own businesses, raised investment capital, and created jobs for themselves and others. In particular, thousands of students have continued to write very Vietnamese startup stories but with global scope with products that have changed the way we live, study, and work, from applying technology in healthcare, clean agriculture, to digital solutions in daily life.

The Prime Minister visited the space displaying creative startup ideas of students within the framework of the Festival - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

In addition, the results of the project implementation are not only numbers or measurable results, but also beliefs, aspirations, confidence, self-reliance, self-reliance, self-control, national pride to rise up, enthusiastically start a business, innovate and create without limits. The benefits from starting a business may be small but the impact is huge, the Prime Minister said.

These results were achieved not only thanks to the efforts of students, but also the result of close coordination between ministries, branches, localities and businesses. The Prime Minister commended and highly appreciated the role of the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and other units that have accompanied the country over the past time in building a national startup ecosystem.

According to the Prime Minister, the achievements are very valuable but still not commensurate with the unique potential, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages of Vietnamese youth, and have not fully promoted the true, core values ​​of Vietnamese youth such as the tradition of passionate patriotism, intelligence, creativity, studiousness, diligence, hard work, sacrifice, overcoming adversity in any situation, mutual love, mutual assistance.

The Prime Minister visits the exhibition booth of Chu Van An High School in Hanoi within the framework of the Festival - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

A startup nation cannot lack the entrepreneurial spirit of young people.

The Prime Minister assessed that creating a creative startup ecosystem is not a matter of one or two days but a long-term strategy, requiring fundamental solutions, comprehensive strategies, not perfectionism, not haste.

Therefore, the Prime Minister suggested creating movements, trends, creating resources, motivation, and inspiring innovation in many different forms, with different assistance, through many different mechanisms and policies.

Along with that, start-up and innovation activities must bring benefits to students themselves, their families and society, then the movement will enter life, contribute to the development of the country and from that achievement continue to create confidence, motivation and new spirit to help young people and students develop more and more.

The Prime Minister visited the space displaying creative startup ideas of students within the framework of the Festival - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister requested ministries, branches and localities, according to their functions and tasks, to continue to perfect mechanisms and policies, especially on finance and intellectual property, combining public-private models, creating conditions and supporting students to develop ideas and bring products to market; developing funds to support student startups with socialized resources; building idea trading floors and startup advisory networks in localities and schools.

The Ministry of Education and Training continues to coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to develop student start-up support centers, creative spaces, incubators, and startup accelerators in schools, and integrate startups into formal curriculum; continue to develop a project to support students in starting a new stage of business to ensure practicality and quality.

For higher education, vocational education, and general education institutions, the Prime Minister suggested effectively implementing policies to support startups and innovation; developing modern laboratories, supporting research and product testing, encouraging lecturers and students to participate in applied scientific research; developing online training platforms and digital resources, adding topics on startups and innovation to the curriculum; connecting businesses and startup investment funds, building a network of advisors and experts in the field of startups and technology; supporting lecturers, students, and pupils to register intellectual property and commercialize products.

The "three houses" including the state - schools - businesses must strengthen connections . In particular, businesses should actively place orders, invest and accompany students, support practice, internship and commercialization of ideas; together with schools, inspire, invest and lead the younger generation. The state, businesses, and banks need to support startup ideas and projects in terms of planning, raw material areas, capital sources, packaging, designs, markets, etc.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates and students attend the Festival - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister requested the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to continue to widely implement the "Youth Start-up" program, especially creative start-ups; focusing on developing start-up capacity in four priority sectors: (1) information technology, network security, digital services; (2) medical technology, education; (3) environmental technology and energy; (4) high-tech agriculture.

The Prime Minister also suggested that in order to resonate strength, start-up activities must follow the trend of the times, the development trend of the country, market trends, and at the same time be suitable for the strengths, talents, and abilities of each person.

The Head of Government emphasized that close connection between ministries, sectors, localities and educational institutions is a key factor in building mechanisms and policies to support startups. Mobilizing all resources from the state to the private sector in the spirit of "harmonizing benefits and sharing risks" to create the best conditions for those who aspire to start a business.

For young people, students, the Prime Minister said that he always expects you - those born in the era of science and technology - to be the ones who will play an important role, with passion, ambition, health, knowledge and capacity, to create breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation in the spirit of Resolution 57 of the Politburo; contribute to making the private economy the most important driving force of the economy; contribute to exploiting the unique potential, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages of each region and locality to create a synergistic strength, helping the country accelerate, break through, reach the finish line, develop quickly and sustainably; Contributing to bringing the country in international integration in the spirit of Resolution 59 of the Politburo on January 24, 2025 on international integration in the new situation (from reception to contribution, from extensive integration to adequate, from the position of the country behind to the state to rise, pioneer in new fields ...).

According to the Prime Minister, young people must pioneer in innovation, start -up, in the development of the country, with the spirit of harmonizing the interests between individuals and collectives, between their own interests and common interests, national interests.

"Each young person should determine that starting a business is the foundation, a tool and a career opportunity; at the same time, it is also a responsibility for the society, to the future of the country. Be constantly learning, training skills, mastering technology and committing to" the spirit of serving the Fatherland, serving the people "in the new era of the nation.

An indispensable startup country from each individual, especially young people.

Therefore, this process needs the care and help of the Party, the State, both the political system and the people. All together creates an ecosystem, a startup space, a new value system connecting the community to create a movement, the trend of innovative business innovation, together showing the desire to rise, look far away, think and make it hard to turn into a vulnerable, "unable to turn into a vulnerability, to turn into a vulnerability, to turn into a vulnerable, unable to turn into a vulnerable, unable to turn into a vulnerable, unable to turn into a vulnerable, unable to turn into a vulnerable.

The Prime Minister desired and believed that, continuing to promote the speedy tradition, creation, decision, and victory of the April historical days of the great victory in the spring of 1975, with the aspiration, intelligence and guidance in the right direction, students, students and 20 million young people as "the future owner of the country" will be the pioneers, capturing the Vietnamese -level -minded science and technology. Create of the region and the world in the era, developing rich, civilized and prosperous of the nation and people increasingly happy and prosperous.

According to baochinhphu.vn

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/tin-moi/202504/thu-tuong-than-toc-tao-bao-de-dua-viet-nam-tro-thanh-tram-tam-doi-moi-sang-tao-e257945/