This marks a notable step forward for the province in improving its innovation capacity. In 2025, Thai Nguyen scored 42.55 points, ranking 13th among 34 localities and leading the northern midland and mountainous region.

The 2026 PII comprises 52 component indicators structured into 7 pillars, including 5 input pillars: Institutions; Human capital and research and development; Infrastructure; Market Development; Business Development, and 2 output pillars: Knowledge, creative and technology outputs; Impact.

According to the rankings, the 10 leading localities in the 2026 PII are, in order, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Hue, Da Nang, Thai Nguyen, Tay Ninh and Hung Yen. Hanoi leads with 63.80 points; Cao Bang ranks last with 21.22 points.

Thai Nguyen Province scored 54.86 points for innovation inputs and 40.75 points for innovation outputs. Among the 7 pillars of the 2026 PII, Business Development is a particular highlight for Thai Nguyen, with the province ranking 3rd nationwide, behind Bac Ninh and Hanoi. This result reflects the business sector’s capacity to access and apply science, technology and innovation, while showing that the environment for business development remains one of the province’s advantages.

The rise of 5 places in the PII rankings provides a foundation for Thai Nguyen to further strengthen its capacity for research and the application of science, technology and innovation, in conjunction with business development and improvements in the quality of economic growth going forward.