The opening ceremony was attended by Chu Thuc Dat, deputy head of the Department of Innovation under the Ministry of Science and Technology, along with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the northern provinces of Dien Bien, Phu Tho and Lao Cai.

Representing Son La province were Cha A Cua, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and President of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; Ha Trung Chien, member of the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; members of the Standing Board of the provincial People’s Council and People’s Committee; leaders of provincial departments, agencies, sectors and localities; as well as experts, scientists, businesses, and cooperatives.

Implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, Son La is gradually turning science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation into drivers of development. In 2026, the province is implementing 40 science and technology tasks, including one national-level task.

It currently has 10 science and technology organisations and 12 science and technology enterprises. Many research findings have been applied in production, contributing to improving the productivity and quality of crops and to the development and promotion of intellectual property assets.

In digital transformation, the province is gradually shifting its focus from developing infrastructure and information systems to exploiting and using data for governance and development. As of September 2026, the provincial Open Data Portal had established 276 data domains and publicly shared 799 datasets, including 389 new datasets from the province’s shared data warehouse.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dang Ngoc Hau, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, called on provincial departments, agencies, sectors, localities, businesses, cooperatives, and relevant organisations to continue promoting the application of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in line with practical requirements.

He urged them to focus on addressing specific challenges in production, business, and everyday life; strengthen connections among management agencies, experts, scientists, businesses, and cooperatives; promote knowledge sharing and technology transfer; bring ideas and innovations into practice; effectively harness the province’s potential and advantages; and create new momentum for its development.

At the event, Son La province officially launched its Network of Innovation Experts and Advisors, which aims to connect experts and scientists with management agencies, businesses, cooperatives, and other innovation stakeholders; mobilise intellectual resources, experience, and technology to support the province’s socio-economic development.

The Innovation and Digital Transformation Day 2026 features a range of activities, including a policy forum; exhibitions and showcases of products, models, and technological solutions; specialised training and consulting sessions; and technology supply-and-demand matchmaking.

The two-day event provides an opportunity to connect government agencies, experts, scientists, businesses, cooperatives, and the wider community; share ideas and solutions; and promote the practical application of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation./.