Ha Noi accelerates technological innovation across key economic sectors

In recent years, Ha Noi has taken early steps to revitalize its rich heritage through modern technologies, gradually promoting smart tourism and nurturing a digital technology industry. The newly issued plan is expected to further systematize these efforts, elevate their impact, and reinforce the city's role as a frontrunner in digital transformation.

Three pillars shaping a new growth model

Through Plan No. 109/KH-UBND, Ha Noi is advancing its ambition to make science, technology, innovation and digital transformation the primary engines of growth, in line with the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW. Importantly, the roadmap builds on existing progress rather than starting from scratch.

The plan identifies three priority sectors: cultural industries, tourism—particularly cultural tourism—and the digital technology industry. This reflects a clear shift in the capital's growth model, moving away from reliance on natural resources and labor toward one driven by knowledge, creativity and technology.

Within this framework, digital technology provides the foundation, cultural industries generate content, and tourism serves as the channel for amplifying and delivering value.

All three sectors have already begun integrating technology. In cultural industries, innovations such as 3D mapping, virtual reality experiences and digitally enhanced art spaces around Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake and museums are reshaping how heritage is experienced and making it more interactive.

In tourism, rising demand for smart and personalized experiences is driving digital adoption. Visitors increasingly depend on digital platforms for everything from trip planning and booking to on-site engagement. Although Ha Noi has made initial progress in digital promotion, e-payments and platform development, implementation remains fragmented.

Meanwhile, the digital technology industry plays a dual role—as both a key sector and a critical enabler for the other two. A major challenge is shifting from outsourcing and basic services toward the creation of "Make in Viet Nam" products, allowing deeper participation in global value chains.

Overall, the push for innovation stems not from a lack of capability, but from the urgency to accelerate in order to maintain competitiveness. Without a coherent roadmap, existing strengths may not fully translate into economic gains. With effective coordination, however, these sectors could deliver significant breakthroughs and contribute strongly to growth.

Building an innovation ecosystem

The plan highlights universities and research institutes as central to driving knowledge creation and technological advancement.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Dang Hoai Bac, Director of the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, affirmed the institution's readiness to collaborate in key areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, information security and big data.

Similarly, Prof. Dr Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Viet Nam National University Ha Noi, emphasized the need to transform heritage into creative assets. Proposed initiatives—including 3D digitization of heritage, virtual tour systems, technology applications in cultural spaces and human resource development—closely align with the city's strategy.

The active participation of academic and research institutions signals the emergence of a more cohesive innovation ecosystem, where the State acts as a facilitator and research bodies and businesses serve as the primary drivers of implementation.

In this context, Plan No. 109/KH-UBND functions as a strategic tool to connect resources, unlock synergies and generate new momentum for key economic sectors. It also helps ensure that Ha Noi not only keeps pace with global trends but strengthens its role as a pioneer in the creative economy—gradually shaping itself into a modern, knowledge-based capital with a strong cultural identity./.