Science and Technology Exchange aims to commercialise scientific research and technology transfer results

<p style="text-align: justify;">The Viet Nam Science and Technology Exchange not only introduces a modern "technology marketplace" but also marks a significant step forward in institutional reform, promoting the commercialisation of intellectual property and the development of the domestic technology market.</p>

Launched on June 30, the Viet Nam Science and Technology Exchange, accessible at https://techmartvietnam.vn, serves as an extended platform linking research, production, and the market. The Viet Nam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (VINASME) noted that the launch of the platform comes at a pivotal time, as Viet Nam identifies science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of growth. The exchange is not merely a technical tool but a core institutional infrastructure to foster innovation and the development of a knowledge-based economy.

According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the World Bank, countries with well-developed technology markets often report investment in research, development, and patent commercialisation that is three to five times higher than those lacking a professional market. Technology exchange models have existed since the 1990s in the US, Europe, and China, functioning not only as connection hubs but also integrating services such as evaluation, pricing, legal, financial, and intellectual property consultancy.

Nations strong in innovation typically possess well-developed intellectual property ecosystems, where up to 80% of assets are intangible, including copyrights, designs, and technological processes. International experience also shows that effective technology commercialisation requires the development of intermediary ecosystems encompassing evaluation and pricing, legal and financial consultancy, intellectual property services, and training.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh emphasised that the Viet Nam Science and Technology Exchange is positioned as a platform for connecting supply and demand in technology, marking a promising start for the national technology market. The exchange operates under a public-private partnership model, with the government investing in infrastructure, an online platform, a shared science and technology database, and policies that support businesses in trading technology on the platform, ensuring safety, transparency, and system consistency. Many experts have proposed the urgent need to address the challenge of technology valuation, thereby transforming intellectual property into a tradable asset to fuel the development of the knowledge economy.

During its initial phase, the exchange provides information on approximately 600 technologies offered in the form of equipment and machinery, 50 demands for technology purchases, and 150 consultants and brokers. The platform supports organisations, businesses, and individuals in displaying and promoting their technologies and devices through virtual booths.

By November, the platform is expected to be enhanced with features such as online technology supply-demand interaction, technology consultancy and brokerage, data analytics tools, and services in finance, intellectual property, and technology transfer. More than a simple technology marketplace showcasing intellectual products, the exchange is a foundational step toward building a modern technology market where intellectual property is treated as a commodity, valued, brokered, and transacted transparently.

A representative of the Ministry of Science and Technology stated that to develop the platform, it is essential to promptly complete the legal framework, including mechanisms for establishment, investment, and financing, as well as incentive policies for organisations managing and participating in the exchange. A hybrid model combining online and physical components will help increase the efficiency of technology transactions and further boost innovation in Viet Nam./.