Addressing challenges in science and technology development

With many outstanding advantages, Dong Nai is facing a major opportunity to make breakthroughs in science and technology (S&T), innovation and digital transformation.

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology Vo Hoang Khai views digital financial products on display at the Forum on Building eco-smart industrial parks – Driving investment attraction and green economic development in Southeastern Vietnam in July 2026.

However, the city also needs to address bottlenecks and challenges in S&T development in order to promote the development of strategic technologies, improve technology management, develop digital human resources and build an innovation ecosystem.

Many advantages and growth drivers

Dong Nai has significant potential and advantages for developing S&T, innovation and digital transformation, including the development of the digital technology industry. The city has major development drivers associated with Long Thanh International Airport, its industrial park system, logistics sector and regional connectivity across southeastern region.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung The Dong, an economic expert from the Ministry of Finance, said Dong Nai has a large-scale industrial sector and a diverse manufacturing ecosystem. Processing and manufacturing industries play a leading role, with a large number of foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises and a network of suppliers. This provides a suitable environment for applying the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), production management systems and supply-chain traceability.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung The Dong, an economic expert from the Ministry of Finance, has proposed seven key policy challenges that Dong Nai should address in developing the digital economy, including accurate measurement; building infrastructure based on production needs; creating usable data; supporting businesses based on results; developing human resources based on demand; establishing two application pillars of smart industry and digital logistics; and ensuring safety and inclusiveness in digital economic development.

“Unlike localities that have to create digital demand from the ground up, Dong Nai already has a sufficiently large business market. The issue is to establish mechanisms connecting demand with solution providers and support domestic businesses in improving their capacity to absorb technology,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung The Dong emphasized.

At a mid-September 2026 conference on the handover of multimedia learning materials serving the Digital Literacy for All Campaign and the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in S&T, innovation and digital transformation for 2026–2030 between the standing members of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment and the Dong Nai City People’s Committee, Deputy Chairman of the committee Tran Van Khai said Dong Nai has significant advantages for making breakthroughs in S&T, innovation and digital transformation. He noted that the city is one of the South’s largest “technology bridges,” with significant institutional advantages, particularly after the Politburo issued Resolution No. 16-NQ/TW dated July 21, 2026, on building and developing Dong Nai City through 2035, with a vision to 2065, and the National Assembly passed the Urban Development Law. At the same time, the city has new development space, while its digital foundation and human resources have begun to take shape.

Identifying key priorities

According to Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Tran Van Khai, Dong Nai needs to identify key areas of focus for S&T, innovation and digital transformation development in the locality, including strategic orientations and action plans to improve indicators related to the digital economy, total factor productivity (TFP), the Digital Transformation Index (DTI) and the Provincial Innovation Index (PII); special mechanisms and policies to support S&T, innovation and digital transformation; the selection and development of strategic technology action programs and major challenges under a commissioning mechanism; and the development of an innovation ecosystem and connections among models, alliances and networks.

The city should also take into account orientations and recommendations for its major policies and action programs, while drawing on practical experience, lessons and issues that need attention in organizing and implementing S&T, innovation and digital transformation development.

Dong Nai aims to establish and develop a digital technology industry ecosystem based on strategic technologies such as semiconductors, data centers, AI, IoT, Big Data, cloud computing and blockchain. In particular, the city is focusing on attracting investment and developing technology zones, with priority given to semiconductor, AI and renewable energy projects, linking Long Thanh International Airport with major projects such as the Long Thanh Concentrated Digital Technology Zone and Dong Nai Innovation Zone. At the same time, the city plans to develop a list of strategic technology products to promote digital transformation solutions and S&T development in the locality.

In early September 2026, leaders of the Ministry of Science and Technology held a working session with a Dong Nai City delegation on S&T, innovation and digital transformation development. The ministry’s leaders called for a focus on three key tasks. First, the city should promote the application of technology, digital transformation and AI in businesses. Second, it should shape a special urban area associated with Long Thanh International Airport through S&T, innovation and digital transformation. Third, the city should select and announce five to 10 major challenges for scientists, research institutes, universities and businesses to address under a commissioning mechanism. The city should select several challenges with significant impacts and concentrate resources on addressing them thoroughly, creating specific products and results directly linked to its socio-economic development needs.

In mid-September 2026, specialized units under the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Department of Science and Technology held a working session to discuss and review the contents of a cooperation program between the ministry and the city on the development of S&T, innovation and digital transformation for socio-economic development in Dong Nai during 2026–2030.

At the meeting, Pham Van Trinh, Member of the City Party Committee, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said the department hoped the ministry would continue providing guidance and support for the city in specific groups of tasks and fields related to the development of S&T, innovation and digital transformation for socio-economic development. Particular attention should be given to priority tasks for 2026–2027, including supporting businesses in applying technology, digital transformation and AI; developing practical testing environments for new technologies and models in selected fields; and selecting and announcing the city’s major tasks, then commissioning scientists, research institutes, universities and businesses to jointly address the locality’s urgent challenges.

By Hai Quan - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha