The conference served as a forum to discuss and clarify both the theoretical and practical foundations of socio-economic development driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, while also sharing Hai Phong’s successful development experiences and proposing solutions for rapid and sustainable growth in the new era.

Conference Leadership

The conference was co-chaired by Vu Hai Quan, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Science and Technology, Le Van Loi Member of the Party Central Committee, President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission, and Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council.

Hai Phong’s Vision for Science-Driven Development

In his opening remarks, Vice Chairman Hoang Minh Cuong emphasized that amid the rapid progress of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation have become decisive factors in determining competitiveness, governance effectiveness, and development quality for nations and localities alike.

Following the spirit of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, Hai Phong identifies science, technology, and innovation as fundamental drivers of socio-economic development in the coming period.

The city aims to leverage scientific and technological advances not only for economic growth but also for improving education quality, enhancing healthcare services, strengthening social welfare, developing digital culture, advancing human development, improving citizens’ quality of life.

Mr. Cuong stressed that the ultimate goal of science, technology, and innovation haass been not merely economic value creation but also improved governance and sustainable social development.

He further noted that National Assembly Resolution No. 226 provided new opportunities for Hai Phong to attract resources, innovate governance models, and accelerates the application of science and technology across socio-economic sectors.

Vice Chairman Hoang Minh Cuong expressed hope that the conference would gather valuable scientific and policy recommendations from experts and scholars to clarify theoretical and practical foundations for science-based development, assess Hai Phong’s achievements and remaining challenges, identify institutional, policy, resource, and implementation bottlenecks
Propose solutions to maximize the role of science, technology, and innovation in areas where Hai Phong has strong comparative advantages.

He also called for in-depth discussions on strengthening links between research and market demand, enhancing enterprises’ technological absorption capacity, developing high-quality human resources, building a comprehensive innovation ecosystem, improving data-driven and digital governance.
Hai Phong’s Development Experience

In his keynote address, Le Van Loi highlighted Hai Phong’s remarkable achievements in recent years, particularly in foreign investment attraction, infrastructure development, manufacturing and processing industries, seaport development, logistics, Urban development, administrative reform.

According to Professor Le Van Loi, these achievements provide a strong foundation for Hai Phong’s next phase of development, characterized by growth driven by science and technology, Innovation, digital transformation, green economy initiatives, modern marine economy development, increased contribution of Total Factor Productivity (TFP).
Conference Sessions

The conference consisted of two main sessions.

Session 1:

“Theoretical and Practical Issues in Socio-Economic Development Based on Science, Technology, and Innovation”

Topics included:

Development models driven by science and innovation;
Hai Phong’s practical experiences;
Institutional and policy mechanisms;
Conditions necessary for rapid and sustainable growth.
Session 2:

“Institutional and Policy Breakthroughs: Recommendations for Hai Phong”

Organized as a roundtable discussion, this session brought together scientists, experts, policymakers, and administrators to discuss institutional reforms, policy innovation, human resource development, digital transformation, innovation strategies for the city’s future growth.
The conference received 55 research papers and presentations from scholars, experts, policymakers, research institutes, universities, and government agencies.

The contributions focused on theoretical foundations, practical experiences, policy recommendations, strategies for socio-economic development based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Organizers expect these discussions and research findings to strengthen the scientific and practical basis for future policymaking and development planning.

Supporting Hai Phong’s Long-Term Vision

The conference aimed to help formulate solutions that capitalized on Hai Phong’s strengths and advantages while supporting the city’s ambition to become a major industrial center, a leading seaport hub, a logistics center, a regional innovation hub in Northern Viet Nam.

These goals aligné with Viet Nam’s broader development objectives for 2030 and its long-term vision toward 2045.

In his concluding speech, Đang Xuan Thanh emphasized that the conference had created a meaningful academic and policy forum contributing significantly to discussions on both theoretical and practical aspects of development in Hai Phong and across Viet Nam.

He noted that the presentations and discussions focused on three major themes: clarifying theoretical and practical foundations for development based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, assessing Hai Phong’s current situation, competitive advantages, opportunities, and challenges in developing new growth drivers, proposing solutions related to institutional reform, policy improvement, high-quality workforce development, digital transformation, innovation ecosystem building, and governance modernization.

Mr. Thanh affirmed that the conference outcomes had both academic significance and practical value for policy formulation and implementation.

The organizing committee will continue to synthesize and refine the research findings, recommendations, and discussions into a comprehensive report to support future research, policy consultation, and strategic planning efforts.