Dong Nai maps out directions for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation

On September 4, at the National Assembly (NA) House, Nguyen Thanh Hai, Member of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and Chairwoman of the NA Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, chaired a working session with a Dong Nai delegation to discuss the city’s development directions in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The Dong Nai delegation included Ton Ngoc Hanh, Member of the PCC, Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee (CPC) and Chairwoman of the City People’s Council; Le Truong Son, Member of the CPC’s Standing Board and Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee; Tran Van Mi, Member of the CPC and Vice Chairman of the City People’s Council; and representatives of relevant departments and agencies.

Dong Nai seeks guidance on models and approaches suited to local conditions

Nguyen Thanh Hai, Member of the PCC and Chairwoman of the NA Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, presides over the working session.

Speaking at the session, Member of the PCC and Chairwoman of the NA Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Thanh Hai emphasized that Dong Nai possesses a combination of advantages few other localities can match. The city has the country’s fourth-largest economy, 89 planned industrial parks, more than 2,300 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects worth over USD 45 billion from 51 countries and territories, and more than 730,000 industrial workers. In particular, Politburo Resolution No. 16-NQ/TW has provided the city with a special institutional framework, creating favorable conditions for Dong Nai to achieve breakthroughs in its development.

The Chairwoman of the NA Committee on Science, Technology and Environment noted that, as the country implements Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, the committee has clearly defined its role not only as an appraisal and supervisory body but also as a partner, facilitator, and bridge-builder for localities. The legal framework is now relatively comprehensive. The challenge is no longer a lack of policies or guidelines, but the capacity to translate them into concrete products.

Accordingly, the NA Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment stands ready to support Dong Nai by sharing knowledge and practical experience gained through oversight work in many localities, while drawing on its network of experts and partners to help the city advance science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Ton Ngoc Hanh, Member of the PCC, Standing Deputy Secretary of the CPC and Chairwoman of the Dong Nai City People’s Council, speaks at the working session.

Ton Ngoc Hanh emphasized the importance of the consultation session in shaping the city’s directions for science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation.

She said Dong Nai has the advantage of being both a major industrial center and a major agricultural center, with 1 million hectares of fertile farmland favorable for high-tech agriculture. The city also has favorable conditions for the development of trade, services, and tourism.

Politburo Resolution No. 16-NQ/TW has set a direction for Dong Nai to develop into a special municipality and formulate a city master plan with a 100-year vision. Meanwhile, the NA’s recent passage of the Urban Development Law has laid an important institutional foundation, providing political and legal grounds to carry out its work more effectively in the coming period.

Ton Ngoc Hanh, Member of the PCC, Standing Deputy Secretary of the CPC and Chairwoman of the Dong Nai City People’s Council, speaks at the working session.

With an open and receptive approach, Chairwoman of the City People’s Council Ton Ngoc Hanh said Dong Nai hopes to receive guidance on effective models and approaches that the city can study and adapt to its own circumstances.

Representatives of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee and relevant departments and agencies attend the working session.

Institutional framework must stay one step ahead

At the working session, participants discussed a range of issues, including strategic directions and action plans to improve relevant indicators; mechanisms and policies to promote science and technology, innovation and digital transformation; the selection and development of strategic technology programs and major challenges to be addressed through commissioned mechanisms; the development of an innovation ecosystem and linkages among suitable models, alliances and ecosystems; policy priorities and major action programs for the city; as well as practical experience, lessons and issues to be considered during implementation.

Le Truong Son, Member of the CPC’s Standing Board and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee, speaks at the working session.

Following the discussions, participants said Dong Nai has all the necessary conditions to take the lead and recommended that the city promptly finalize its dossiers, refine the scope of its initiatives, and take into account the limits of its authority in developing science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Regarding specific areas for consultation, participants said the city should standardize methods for measuring the digital economy and total factor productivity (TFP) at the local level before setting targets, and adopt a unified set of indicators. Dong Nai’s greatest potential for further development lies in deepening digital transformation across its 44 operating industrial parks, with factories serving as the main front line for this process.

Participants attend the working session. On institutional issues, participants stressed that ensuring authority is exercised within assigned limits requires the institutional framework to stay one step ahead. The five-category classification of areas of authority should be institutionalized immediately and maintained as a standing legal-risk register. They also emphasized that every controlled pilot project must have a clearly defined damage ceiling, stopping criteria, and exit mechanism. Sandboxes should protect those who act in compliance with the rules, rather than shield arbitrary decisions. Measures already permitted under NA Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15 should be implemented immediately.

Dong Nai leaders present a souvenir gift to the NA Committee on Science, Technology and Environment.

Regarding the selection of strategic technologies, participants stressed the need for Dong Nai to make the right choices. The list of strategic technologies should be categorized in accordance with Decision No. 21/2026/QD-TTg, while the 18 products should be narrowed down to three to five programs based on three pillars: distinctive local advantages, market scale, and the ability to master the technologies within five years.

The standing members of the NA Committee on Science, Technology and Environment suggested several priority areas, including data and artificial intelligence; robotics and smart manufacturing; aviation technology, logistics, and unmanned aerial vehicles; and supporting industries for the semiconductor and electronics sectors.

Delegates pose for a group photo after the working session.

By PV – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho