Solutions to accelerate innovation

Alongside the pillars of science, technology, and digital transformation, Dong Nai City will accelerate solutions to promote innovation activities.

Applying a modern technological line at the Hoa Sen Sauce Facility (in Binh Loc Ward, Dong Nai City). Photo: Hai Quan

The city is implementing a range of initiatives to develop its innovation system and innovative startup ecosystem, with the goal of improving productivity, product quality and competitiveness of businesses while advancing industrialization and modernization, with priority given to solutions that help protect the environment, develop the circular economy and support the green transition.

Connecting innovation spaces

Dong Nai possesses significant advantages, including a strong industrial base, well-developed infrastructure, strategic regional connectivity and a dynamic business community. To translate these strengths into new growth drivers, the city needs a truly effective innovation ecosystem and spaces that connect ideas, technologies, people and resources.

Pham Van Trinh, City Party Committee member, Director of the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology, said the city will promote the formation of a closed-loop value chain—from research and development to commercialization—through close cooperation among government agencies, universities and research institutes, and businesses. Priority will be given to helping small and medium-sized enterprises accelerate digital transformation and adopt technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to develop smart manufacturing and smart logistics.

A representative of a digital technology enterprise introduces innovative products at the digital technology exhibition at Techfest Dong Nai 2025.

The science and technology sector identifies the formation and development of the city-level Innovation Center, alongside a network of innovation centers at units and localities, as a task of strategic significance. This creates an important foundation to promote the innovation ecosystem, connect institutes, universities, enterprises, and investors, support enterprises in technological innovation, develop innovative startups, and enhance local competitiveness in the new phase. Concurrently, the city is step by step shaping local innovation ecosystem, creating an environment to attract investment, research, development, and technology commercialization.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Quynh, Vice Rector of Lac Hong University, said innovation can no longer rely solely on academic institutions in today's highly competitive global economy. Instead, sustainable innovation requires close collaboration among government, universities, businesses and investors.

In the coming years, Lac Hong University plans to deepen cooperation with businesses by involving them more actively in curriculum development, commissioned research projects and investment in practical laboratories. The university will also expand innovation centers, applied research institutes and open startup spaces to support students, lecturers and businesses in jointly developing new technologies. "Our goal is to build an innovation-oriented university model where higher education institutions are not only places of education but also hubs connecting knowledge, technology and industry, making direct contributions to the socio-economic development of Dong Nai and the Southern region," Nguyen Vu Quynh said.

Elevating position in innovation

According to the 2025 Provincial Innovation Index (PII) announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dong Nai achieved 44.92 points, ranking 12th out of 34 localities nationwide. This result demonstrates the efforts of the entire political system, departments, sectors, and localities in step by step improving the foundational conditions for innovation. However, this outcome also shows that the locality still has ample room to improve and elevate innovation development indicators, especially when compared with Dong Nai's potential, advantages, and developmental position in the Southern Key Economic Zone.

As one of Vietnam's leading industrial centers with numerous industrial parks and foreign-invested enterprises, Dong Nai is developing mechanisms to support businesses in technological innovation investment, expand research and development activities, and strengthen a digital startup and innovation ecosystem.

The PII contributes to identifying the potential and necessary conditions to drive innovation. The PII serves as an important tool, helping local governments formulate policies and development strategies in the coming period. According to the results of the 2025 provincial innovation index set, Dong Nai has high scores and rankings nationwide in pillars including: infrastructure pillar, market development level pillar. Besides, the locality also needs to improve scores and rankings in pillars related to institutions; human capital and research - development; enterprise development level; intellectual products, creativity and technology.

In late May 2026, the People's Committee of Dong Nai City issued Plan No. 47/KH-UBND on the development of the innovation system and creative startup ecosystem in the city in 2026.

Accordingly, the city strives to develop the innovation system and creative startup ecosystem of Dong Nai City, taking people and businesses as the center, scientists as the key factor, research institutes and universities as the research subjects; the State plays a leading role, creating institutions and flexible governance. At the same time, it aims for the PII to be among the leading provinces and cities. Regarding specific goals, Dong Nai strives to be among the top 5 leading provinces and cities in the PII.

The plan sets forth key solutions such as: researching and building specific mechanisms for innovation and innovative startups in the city; drafting a plan to raise the PII in 2026 and the 2026-2030 period. Concurrently, it will organize training workshops on innovative thinking within the public sector; build a team of experts and advisors on innovation and innovative startups for the locality; and build a database on science, technology, and innovation.

Abraham Nguyen Quang Huy, Vice Chairman of the National Startup Association and Chairman of 9S UNION (Global Economic Union), said Dong Nai has the potential and developmental foundation to become one of the region's leading creative and startup hubs. He recommended that the city prioritize the strong development of data infrastructure, regulatory sandboxes and technology commercialization centers while developing a creative workforce of engineers, technology advisers and young entrepreneurs. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening support for businesses in intellectual property protection, product standards, certification, and product testing.

By Hai Quan - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha