Driving Force of Economic Growth

Recognizing that science and technology is a crucial driving force for rapid and sustainable socioeconomic development, the science and technology sector of Ha Giang province concentrates on research, application and transfer of scientific and technological advances to all aspects of life and production practices, thus helping improve productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of manufactured products.

The delegation of science and technology experts embarks on a working visit to the Ha Giang orange area

Outstanding outcomes

Mr. Phan Dang Dong, Director of Ha Giang Department of Science and Technology, said: “Carrying out the resolution of the 17th Ha Giang Provincial Party Congress (2020 - 2025 term), with the support of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People’s Council and the Provincial People’s Committee, and the Ministry of Science and Technology; with the coordination of relevant agencies and localities, the science and technology sector has achieved many positive changes. The good progress and outcome of scientific and technological research, application and transfer has helped develop industries and fields, especially agriculture and pharmacy. State administration of science and technology, from provincial to district levels, has been strengthened and met legal requirements and actual practices.”

In 2023, the science and technology sector managed 43 scientific and technological tasks, including 39 provincial tasks (27 transitional tasks and 12 new approved tasks), two local tasks, and two ministerial tasks aligned with authorized rural mountainous programs. The sector has coordinated with relevant bodies to administer six tasks under the Mountainous Rural Program and local emergent issues; appraised 10/12 tasks (equal to 140% of the result last year and 83% of the full-year plan); taken over five tasks; consulted three tasks; checked the implementation progress of eight tasks; sign contracts on implementation of three tasks; and handed eight completed tasks to relevant units. Scientific and technological research and application topics and projects have closely followed advantageous fields of Ha Giang province such as culture, tourism, high-quality agriculture and pressing social issues. At the same time, it has focused on researching and providing scientific arguments for policymaking and formulating the province's socioeconomic development, information technology, digital transformation, education and training and healthcare plans.

Many topics and projects have been applied to production practices in a timely, extensive and effective manner, positively supporting hunger eradication and poverty reduction in the province. For example, the project "Research, conservation, exploitation and sustainable development of ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in Ha Giang province” studied and identified 100 ancient tea trees, with Tay Con Linh Tea Complex recognized as a heritage. The project proposed solutions and policies to preserve, exploit and develop ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in association with tourism development. Another typical example is the project “Applying reproductive technologies to build an active breeding model to improve and rapidly multiply cows in rocky highlands of Ha Giang province.”

Regarding information technology development and digital transformation, the science and technology sector has also researched and operated the scientific database system; accepted, and handed over the project “Building a smart information database management system for Ha Giang province” to help construct a provincial smart database collection and management system; the information security and monitoring system; and the smart integrated data collection, analysis, forecast and management software to help Ha Giang leaders make decisions. The sector advised and approved the project on “Applying artificial intelligence to build a public support system for citizens to access online public services in Ha Giang province.”

Notably, to facilitate companies, cooperatives, economic entities and people to recover and develop business activities, the science and technology sector has this year supported 53 companies, cooperatives and business households in the following fields: Digital transformation at 14 companies/cooperatives, productivity and product quality improvement at 15 companies/cooperatives, the measurement assurance program in six companies, and traceability management system in 18 cooperatives and production households. The sector has also actively encouraged and accompanied companies to invest in research and transfer appropriate production technologies to enhance product quality like the technology for making laminated boards from planted timbers, export tea processing technology, cardamom drying and processing technology, garlic fermentation technology; and cordyceps mushroom culturing technology.

“Supporting companies to research and transfer technologies, apply technical standards and regulations, management systems and productivity and quality improvement tools has brought practical results in streamlining production processes, economizing input materials and energy, raising labor productivity, ensuring product and goods quality, and sharpening competitiveness and sustainable development. In addition, applying traceability stamps for agricultural products (QR code stamps) is considered an effective tool to protect consumer rights and prevent counterfeiting, copying and knockoffs. With origin traceability stamps, high-quality agricultural products made according to given standard processes will be more accessible for customers,” he said.

Moreover, in tourism, the science and technology sector accepted and handed over the project on “Researching and piloting construction materials and construction technologies for preservation and development of architectural heritages of houses on Dong Van karst plateau, Ha Giang” in an attempt to build a suitable traditional housing model for Mong people in Dong Van. By choosing the right technology for the construction of a typical traditional Mong housing model with locally available materials and addressing limitations of earthen houses in Vietnam, the project helps preserve and promote the unique cultural values of ethnic groups on the Dong Van karst plateau.

Science and technology facilitate development

Director Dong said: “Despite good achievements, Ha Giang province has still faced numerous challenges and difficulties in scientific and technological research and application. In particular, limited investment resources for science and technology fail to meet the province's socioeconomic development needs. Some scientific and technological programs and plans are still behind schedule. In spite of abundant human resources for science and technology, the province lacks top-notch experts in engineering, especially hi-tech. Economic sectors lack interest in scientific and technological investments, particularly companies that do not pay much interest to technological application and innovation for production.”

In the coming time, to make science and technology a true driving force and foundation for socioeconomic development, the sector will continue to advise the implementation of nine scientific and technological programs, projects, and plans based on local conditions and development strategies of the province. Besides, it will accelerate scientific research application to production and life to develop and enhance the value and competitiveness of key, advantageous local products.

At the same time, the sector will administer scientific and technological activities, strictly manage transitional topics and projects, and strive to complete 100% of topics and projects on schedule. It will continue to study and manage scientific and technological research from the onset to selection, appraisal, approval, inspection and acceptance; and apply their results to production and life.

The science and technology sector will step up new technological innovation and application to gradually create technology markets; encourage companies to attend Techmart technology equipment markets to buy, sell and promote technology and equipment; instruct organizations, individuals and companies to develop trademarks; foster the development of innovative startup ecosystems in line with Decision 844/QD/TTg dated May 18, 2016 and Decision 188/QD- TTg dated February 9, 2021 to unlock local potential.

By Nguyen Bach, Vietnam Business Forum