UEH Partners with Khanh Hoa Province to Refine Policies for Enhancing Enterprise Innovation Capacity in the Digital Transformation Era

07 Nov, 2025

On the afternoon of November 6, 2025, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), in collaboration with the Khanh Hoa Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations, organized a scientific seminar on the theme: "Refining the Policy System to Enhance the Innovation Capacity of Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation in Khanh Hoa Province: Current Situation and Recommendations."

The seminar was co-chaired by Mr. Nguyen Dac Tai – Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – UEH Interim President. Attending the seminar were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of the UEH Alumni, Head of the National Science and Technology Task KX.01.02/21-30; Dr. Trinh Mai Van – Deputy Head of the Department of the Science Management, National Economics University; along with leaders from provincial Departments, Boards, and Sectors, as well as associations, businesses, and experts from UEH.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Dac Tai - Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations - stated that with its advantages as an economic and tourism hub in the South Central Coast region, Khanh Hoa needs to transform its growth model based on science, technology, and innovation (S&T&I) to enhance its competitiveness. The seminar was expected to provide a basis for assessing the current S&T&I capacity of enterprises and to propose suitable policy solutions to help them adapt to digital transformation.

Mr. Nguyen Dac Tai – Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations, delivering his opening remarks

In his introductory speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – UEH Interim President, emphasized that the seminar was a key activity under the national-level Science and Technology task KX.01.02/21-30, led by UEH. As a research institution, UEH aims to connect academic knowledge with local practice, systematize theoretical foundations, summarize experiences, and propose specific policy implications to enhance the innovation capacity of enterprises in the province. "The seminar contributes to realizing the spirit of the Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW, which identifies S&T, innovation, and digital transformation as primary breakthroughs to create a foundation for double-digit growth in the 2026–2030 period," shared Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, UEH Interim President, delivered his opening speech

At the seminar, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Diep – Director of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Finance, presented the province's socio-economic development orientation to 2030, with a vision to 2045. Khanh Hoa aims to become a centrally-governed city, an international marine tourism hub, a port services center, and a national/regional data center, with four development pillars: Industry-Energy, Tourism-Services, and Urban Development-Construction. The province aims to be among the top 10 localities nationwide in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, with R&D spending reaching over 2% of GRDP. Khanh Hoa will focus on strategic technology sectors: ocean technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital technology—fields closely linked to its maritime and tourism advantages.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Diep – Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, presenting on "The Current Situation and Socio-Economic Development Orientation of Khanh Hoa Province to 2030, with a Vision to 2045."

According to Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Buu Son – Standing Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations, the province has over 15,600 enterprises, 98% of which are small and medium-sized. However, the rate of new technology adoption is only 25%, and R&D spending is less than 0.3% of revenue—lower than the national average. Major barriers include:

Lack of investment capital for research and new technology;
Shortage of high-quality human resources in the technology sector;
Hesitancy to innovate and a lack of long-term vision;
A fragmented innovation ecosystem with weak links between enterprises and research institutes/universities.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Buu Son - Representative of the Khanh Hoa Province Union of Science and Technology Associations - presenting on the current situation and challenges in enhancing the innovation capacity of enterprises in Khanh Hoa

Based on these findings, delegates and experts proposed refining the institutional framework, supporting enterprises in technological innovation, developing a digital workforce, and creating mechanisms to attract tech talent to the province.

The discussion session, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Head of the National Science and Technology Task KX.01.02/21-30, gathered many practical insights from leaders of provincial departments, businesses, and local associations. This feedback is a crucial data source for the UEH research team to complete the national project and provides a basis for Khanh Hoa to develop innovation policies suited to its new development context.

In his closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung emphasized that the seminar had successfully covered all its intended topics and affirmed the core role of enterprises in driving science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation. He also highlighted the importance of a "co-creation" spirit, where enterprises are positioned as the central actors of innovation, the state plays an enabling role, and education - training is the foundation.

The seminar concluded successfully, affirming the close coordination between UEH and the Khanh Hoa Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations and reflecting a shared effort to find scientific solutions for local development.

Delegates took a commemorative photo

Leveraging its role as a multidisciplinary university with research linked to regional and national development, UEH commits to continuing its partnership with the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee and its departments, committees, and sectors to provide policy consultation, strategic planning, and high-quality human resource training. The cooperation between UEH and Khanh Hoa is a journey of co-creating knowledge, disseminating innovation, and promoting sustainable development, contributing to building a dynamic, creative, and globally integrated Khanh Hoa in the digital age.

Pillars: Research, Community Connection

Project: UEH Connecting

News, photos: Department of Communications and Partnerships, UEH Research Team

In the Press:

Khanh Hoa Newspaper: Roundtable on improving policies to promote innovation among enterprises in the context of digital transformation

Bao Moi: Roundtable on improving policies to promote innovation among enterprises in the context of digital transformation