WIPO commits to accompany Vietnam in building a knowledge-based economy

*Mr. Daren Tang answers press interviews at the Ministry of Science and Technology .*

- Reporter: How do you evaluate the results of Vietnam continuing to be recognized as a country "innovating beyond expectations" in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025? What solutions should Vietnam prioritize to improve the remaining pillars to enhance the quality of innovation in the coming years?

Mr. Daren Tang: As Director General of WIPO, the Global Innovation Agency, I would like to congratulate Vietnam on the 80th anniversary of its National Day. Over the past 80 years, Vietnam has undergone many changes in terms of society, economy and culture. Now, Vietnam is entering a new chapter of development. I believe that science, technology and innovation are the driving forces, and together with the political determination of the whole country, Vietnam will succeed.

Over the past 10 to 15 years, Vietnam has demonstrated substantial development efforts. If in 2013 it ranked 76th in the GII rankings, by 2024 it had risen to 44th - a rare step forward in the world. This is an important foundation for the country to move to the next stage. For this stage to truly create a breakthrough, Vietnam needs to focus on three tasks: First, continue to increase investment in research and development (R&D); second, improve human capacity to concretize creative ideas, turning them into tangible results such as creating jobs, production, services; third, shift the economy from a model based on traditional production, assembly, agriculture to a knowledge economy. I believe that these are the three things that Vietnam needs to change and implement immediately.

- Reporter: Vietnam is continuing to study and amend and perfect the Intellectual Property Law. In your opinion, what points should Vietnam pay attention to in the process of amending the Law? Does WIPO have any specific cooperation and support plans for Vietnam to promote the commercialization of inventions and improve intellectual property protection capacity in new technology fields?

Mr. Daren Tang: In the past, intellectual property protection was mainly related to registration and protection of rights, but I think that is not enough. The current trend that both WIPO and Vietnam are moving towards is the commercialization of intellectual property rights. After an entity has an idea and conducts registration activities, the question is not only about registering the invention, but more importantly, how to turn the invention into practical economic value.

Vietnam and WIPO are working together to build a roadmap to bring real ideas to market, creating economic results for the country. With this new approach, intellectual property rights will no longer be just a matter of regulations but will become an ecosystem for schools and academies to combine with businesses from small and medium to large to startups. In addition, improving skills and awareness for everyone so that intellectual property rights can truly be a tool to bring ideas to market is very important. This is also the practical vision that WIPO has just realized through the memorandum of understanding signed with the Ministry of Science and Technology. This document will become a very important catalyst to pave the way for Vietnam to enter a new stage of development.

- Reporter: The Vietnamese government has set a target of double-digit GDP growth in the coming years. In your opinion, what is the role of innovation and intellectual property in realizing this goal?

Mr. Daren Tang: I always believe that the story of innovation is like a river flowing from the mountains to the sea, at the source of the river is R&D, which Vietnam is investing heavily in. The more investment in R&D, the stronger our river flowing to the sea will be. However, for the flow to be gentle and coordinated, we need to have support solutions so that the ideas of Vietnamese people can gradually become typical for the region, typical in the world. WIPO is committed to helping Vietnamese partners connect with businesses.

A typical example, right in Vietnam we have a "Lab to market" initiative to support technology students in academies and schools, helping them bring to market products from their school days and connect with businesses, thereby creating business models originating from research institutes and universities (spin-off). Thus, intellectual property rights will truly become a bridge, becoming part of the development ecosystem. I also believe that through Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation, WIPO will also commit to accompanying Vietnam in realizing the contents of this Resolution, creating a future-oriented knowledge economy for Vietnam.

- Reporter: Thank you very much!

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/wipo-cam-ket-dong-hanh-cung-viet-nam-xay-dung-nen-kinh-te-tri-thuc-197250925152753994.htm