Hanoi led the country in the Provincial Innovation Index (PII) 2023, which was released by the Ministry of Science and Technology on March 12.

The first of its kind to be introduced in Vietnam, the Index aims to provide a general panorama of the country’s socio-economic development model based on science and technology and innovation in each provincial-level locality. It identifies strengths and weaknesses, factors of potential, and the necessary conditions for boosting science and technology and innovation-based development in each locality.

The top 10 in the PII were the cities of Hanoi (62.86 points), Ho Chi Minh City (55.85), Hai Phong (52.32), Da Nang (50.70), and Can Tho (49.66), and the provinces of Bac Ninh (49.20), Ba Ria-Vung Tau (49.18), Binh Duong (48.64), Quang Ninh (48.03), and Thai Nguyen (47.75).

The Index consists of 51 indicators in seven pillars, comprised of five input and two output pillars.

The five input pillars are factors that create favorable conditions for socio-economic development based on science and technology and innovation: institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, market sophistication, and business sophistication.

The two output pillars, which reflect the impact of science and technology and innovation on socio-economic development, are knowledge, technology, and creative outputs, as well as related effects.