At the Innovation Policy Forum, held within the framework of the National Innovation Day 2025 on October 1, Duc and FPT CEO Nguyen Van Khoa spoke about their companies’ operational strategies. Khia noted that the corporation saves over VND800 billion annually from thousands of initiatives of its employees.

Duc pointed out that Vietnam needs to upgrade its position in the global value chain. “Most of our current activity is centered around assembly, a stage with very low value-add, only 1-3 percent. We need to strongly shift from simple assembly to activities with higher value creation based on the application of science, technology, and innovation.”

Becamex is currently developing a new-generation industrial park model that integrates incubators, labs, research centers, and universities tied to businesses. This model not only attracts foreign investment but also supports startups and SMEs in testing solutions. 

Becamex has partnered internationally with universities and research institutions in Singapore, Germany, Japan, the US, and Taiwan, and is also developing a shared manufacturing center focused on the semiconductor sector.

Duc proposed that the state should develop specific strategies for each locality to avoid widespread, unfocused efforts, while also promoting public-private partnerships to create long-term resources for research and innovation. He cited Singapore as an example, where budgets are allocated in 5-year plans, with a portion kept flexible to adjust to emerging contexts.

FPT growth 

In 2025 alone, Khoa said FPT recorded 4,921 innovations related to operational optimization, new service development, and policy suggestions. Notably, these innovations come not only from leadership but also from employees, including cleaners and production workers.

In 2025 alone, FPT recorded 4,921 innovation initiatives, from operational optimization and new service development to policy suggestions. Remarkably, these ideas come not only from management but also from regular staff, including cleaners and frontline workers.

“If there were no innovation, FPT wouldn’t be where it is today,” Nguyen Van Khoa emphasized. “A nation, an ethnic group, or a business should consider innovation as DNA in its body, and work to turn it into an asset, into a culture.”

The FPT CEO said innovation does not lie in regulations or board bylaws, but is part of an enterprise’s culture. The recent key resolutions from the Politburo position innovation as the core.

However, Khoa also highlighted challenges in policies promoting innovation. Breakthrough decrees inspire businesses have been issued, but often lack specific guidelines. 

For example, Decree 180 on public-private partnership mechanism for investment, scientific research, technology development, innovation, and digital transformation still lacks implementation guidance. Even good policies cause difficulties for businesses if guidelines are delayed.

FPT proposed that the state issue a dedicated law or resolution on innovation, accelerate policy implementation, assign large enterprises to lead ecosystems and support smaller ones, and encourage international cooperation to adopt new technologies.

In his opening speech, Nguyen Mai Duong, director of the Innovation Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasized the need for practical actions to institutionalize Party guidelines to promote substantive and effective innovation.

He also noted that the Law on Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, for the first time, places innovation on par with science and technology, identifying investment resources for innovation. The ministry is drafting six decrees to implement this law.

From a local perspective, Ho Quang Buu, Vice Mayor of Da Nang, said the city has built a comprehensive innovation ecosystem centered on its High-Tech Park, connecting the state, universities, and businesses. So far, over 50 high-tech projects with total capital of $2 billion have created 21,000 high-quality jobs. 

"Innovation is no longer an option but a mandatory imperative," he said.

From 2021 to 2025, Da Nang’s GRDP growth averaged 11 percent annually, with the digital economy accounting for over 25 percent by 2024. The city introduced tailored policies, such as personal and corporate income tax exemptions, support for startup projects, regulations for controlled testing of new technology solutions, and development of the semiconductor sector. 

In 2025, Da Nang climbed 100 spots to be ranked 766th out of 1,000 in the global startup ecosystem. Since early this year, Da Nang has attracted numerous businesses with eight notable pilot projects, including Vietnam’s first blockchain-based digital asset transformation project.

Nguyen Hien