GII 2026 shows the gap from export to technology mastery

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Minh, the GII 2026 index recorded that Vietnam leads in the proportion of high-tech exports but revenue from intellectual property is still low, showing the need to improve technology mastery capacity.

The information was stated by Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh at the conference introducing the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2026 Report and Vietnam’s results on the afternoon of October 12.

In 2026, Vietnam ranks 43/139 countries/economies, increasing one level in the GII index compared to the previous year. He said, GII has provided an overall picture, showing Vietnam’s strengths and weaknesses in economic development based on science, technology and innovation.

Strength is the ability to convert resources into results. Vietnam ranked 54th when considering the innovation input index group and 35th in output. According to him, although resources are limited compared to many countries, Vietnam has achieved results from efforts to improve institutions, business and investment environments. The result is shown in the fact that Vietnam maintains the two leading indexes in the world in terms of the proportion of high-tech exports and innovative goods in total trade transactions, continuing to lead the world.

However, the weakness is that the ability to master technology is not commensurate with export achievements. Income from intellectual property is only ranked 110th, while jobs using highly qualified human resources account for only 11% of total employment, ranking 100th. According to the Deputy Minister, the data shows that the level of participation in the value chain and technological capacity needs to be improved.

According to the Deputy Minister, “it is necessary to transition from assembling foreign-designed products to self-designing, owning and trading in technology, developing domestic brands and connecting Vietnamese businesses with the global value chain”.

The GII index recording low income from intellectual property also shows that Vietnam’s ability to commercialize research results is limited. To improve, the Deputy Minister said that it is necessary to continue to improve institutions and develop long-term capital sources. The goal is for universities and research institutes to form spin-off businesses from research results and intellectual property. Intensive technology businesses may need 10-15 years to develop technology, requiring capital according to development stages. Meanwhile, domestic venture capital funds have just been formed and are small in scale compared to the region.

Mr. Sacha Wunsch-Vincent, senior expert of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), co-author of the GII report, assessed that Vietnam has made good use of the process of participating in the global production network. However, the next step is from assembling products designed elsewhere to designing, owning and trading Vietnamese technology and brands.

According to Mr. Wunsch-Vincent, Vietnam needs to solve problems of human resources and research, links between FDI and domestic enterprises, capital and institutions.

Currently, human resources and research are the lowest ranked input index in Vietnam (79th). GII 2026 data records R&D spending at about 0.4% of GDP. WIPO experts believe that this is an index that needs to be improved to create capacity for domestic businesses, because without a team and R&D activities, businesses will have difficulty receiving scientific and technological knowledge from institutes and schools to develop products. The gap from recorded spending levels to the target of 2% of GDP in 2030 also poses requirements on the investment roadmap.

With the FDI sector, Mr. Wunsch-Vincent suggested, it is necessary to take advantage of the presence of foreign companies in the fields of industry, high technology, and semiconductors to develop domestic suppliers and highly skilled human resources. To achieve the results that need to be achieved, Vietnam gradually undertakes higher value stages in the production chain.

The next challenge is capital for young businesses, especially those developed from in-depth research. These businesses may need 5-15 years to validate technology, develop prototypes, complete procedures and expand production before generating revenue. WIPO experts emphasized that there is a need for funding for stages from proving feasibility to testing and commercial deployment. Intellectual property rights must also be clear so that businesses can cooperate, transfer and attract investment.

Regarding institutions, Mr. Wunsch-Vincent noted that in addition to the results of perfecting policies and legal regulations that have been achieved, it is necessary to monitor the effectiveness of policy implementation for recently issued documents.

Deputy Minister Hoang Minh said that Vietnam’s increase of 33 places, from 76th in 2013 to 43rd this year, shows that Vietnam’s level of improvement in innovation is recognized by the world. He said that the factors that GII pointed out will continue to be used in direction and administration, contributing to turning science, technology and innovation into a driving force for socio-economic development.

At the conference, representatives of the Ministry of Science and Technology and experts from the World Intellectual Property Organization discussed the meaning of GII results and policy implications for Vietnam to improve the science, technology and innovation ecosystem. Vietnam aims to rank 40th in the world in GII by 2030.

GII is a reputable tool, evaluated through 79 component indexes, reflecting each country’s innovation capacity and level of socio-economic development based on science and technology, while also helping to point out strengths and limitations in the development process. Since 2017, the Government has used GII as a management tool, assigning each ministry and branch to be in charge of specific indicators. According to WIPO’s 2025-2026 survey results, there are 93 member countries using GII results in building science, technology and innovation strategies and policies.