Can Tho City has made significant efforts to promote the development and application of science, technology, and innovation in line with the city's actual conditions and the general development direction of the country, as well as supporting the industrialization and modernization of Vietnam.

According to the 2023 Provincial Innovation Index (PII) announcement, Can Tho City secured the 5th position out of 63 provinces and cities with a score of 49.66. The city's innovation output was ranked 2nd in the country, just behind Hanoi. Notable achievements include high scores in indexes such as human resources for research and development (98.73 points), patent applications/utility solutions (100 points), plant variety registration applications (100 points), industrial production index (93.51 points), and the number of OCOP products rated at least 4 stars (77.07 points).

During the workshop, experts analyzed the current situation and evaluated the results of innovative activities using innovation indicators of Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta. They shared domestic and international experiences on innovation in socio-economic development. Based on this analysis, they proposed appropriate solutions, policies, and directions for developing the PII index to support local socio-economic development through science, technology, and innovation.

Speaking at the scientific conference, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc He emphasized that the results achieved from the PII index aid the city in evaluating its overall development model. He also stressed that socio-economic development based on the potential of science, technology, and innovation can help identify the strengths, weaknesses, and untapped potentials for future exploitation and promotion.

Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc He spoke at the scientific conference

Can Tho City is introducing the PII index intending to achieve several objectives: to assess the current situation and measure the outcomes of innovative activities using innovation indicators specifically for Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta region; to exchange both domestic and international experiences related to innovation in socio-economic development; and to use this information to suggest suitable solutions, policies, and directions for developing the PII index to support local socio-economic development through the application of science, technology, and innovation.

"The conference provides Can Tho City with an opportunity to enhance collaboration among managers, scientists, researchers, experts, businesses, and organizations in the Mekong Delta region. This involves assessing the current situation, potential, exchanging and learning from each other's experiences, and collaborating to find the most effective solutions for localities to develop appropriate socio-economic policies based on each locality's science, technology, and innovation," stated Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He.