The conference was co-organized by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and Dong A University, taking place continuously for two days, October 24 and 25.
This is also the 40th international conference organized by Dong A University in collaboration with research institutes, universities, organizations, scientists, and experts from both domestic and international institutions.
The conference was attended by leaders of the Da Nang People's Committee, the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang, representatives of management agencies of Vietnam and Japan, along with nearly 200 experts and scientists  from universities, research institutes…in Vietnam, Japan, and other countries in the region.

In his opening speech, Professor Tetsuya Watanabe, President of ERIA, stated that In two years of conducting the research project "Vietnam 2045 – Issues and Challenges for Development" using a comprehensive approach, the study has provided policy recommendations for Vietnam to become a high-income country by 2045. "We hope to help Vietnam choose the best development model for development to achieve this goal. At the same time, we look forward to collaborating with universities in Central Vietnam to train high-quality human resources," said Professor Tetsuya Watanabe.
The first session of the conference this morning focused on Vietnam’s development models and directions after 40 years of renovation.
According to Dr. Võ Trí Thành, Chairman of Vietnam’s Pacific Economic Cooperation Committee, former Vice President of the Central Institute for Economic Management, although Viẻtnam has achieved remarkable achievements such as transforming from a poor country to a middle-income one and becoming one of the most open economies in the world, Vietnam still faces numerous challenges. The risk of falling into the middle-income trap remains high, and the country has also suffered environmental consequences due to its rapid growth.
"We have missed many development opportunities, so now to ensure the success of the high-income target by 2045, we must learn from past experiences, emphasizing political determination, administrative reform, and international integration.
Important policy actions include strengthening public sector capacity, improving the legal framework, accelerating economic restructuring, enhancing human resource development, and reinforcing the National Innovation System to overcome the middle-income trap and achieve development goals," said Dr. Võ Trí Thành.
Regarding growth model transformation and policies to avoid the middle-income trap, Professor Trần Văn Thọ (Honorary Professor of Waseda University, Japan) emphasized the importance of shifting from input-based growth to total factor productivity-based growth and the role of institutional reform in sustaining long-term economic growth.
Professor Trần Văn Thọ said, "We talk a lot about innovation, but in specific numbers are still very weak and thin. To escape the middle-income trap and achieve long-term growth, Vietnam must focus on policies that promote industrialization, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), improve factor markets, enhance education and training as well as invest in research and development (R&D). Structural transformation is the most critical issue for Vietnam today."
Addressing the new wave of digital transformation, the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) as driving forces for Vietnam, Mr. Nguyễn Ánh Dương - Head of the General Research Department, Central Institute for Economic Management, said that to promote economic growth, Vietnam has focused on innovation and digital transformation. The development of the digital economy is expected to drive income growth, with the ultimate goal of achieving high income by 2045.
The government’s Resolution on the Fourth Industrial Revolution in 2019 sets a vision for Vietnam to become a leading country in smart manufacturing and innovation in Asia by 2045. "To achieve a digital economy, Vietnam must address several challenges, including improving coordination among government agencies, adjusting technical standards, enacting fundamental laws to support digital transformation, and developing a workforce proficient in digital technology," Mr. Nguyễn Ánh Dương stated.
Dr. Đinh Thị Hiền Lương (Institute for Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam) discussed Vietnam’s policies of autonomy and strategic adaptation for development in the new period. From there, she outlined Vietnam's responses to maintaining growth momentum, engaging in major economic platforms… to achieve growth targets. 
Mr. Lương Minh Sâm - Chairman of the Council at Dong A University said that the conference is a forum for scholars, researchers from universities, research institutes, managers from agencies, organizations of Vietnam and Japan to discuss research results, share experiences on Vietnam’s socio-economic issues in the contemporary context; at the same time, provide policy recommendations to help Vietnam achieve its goal of becoming a high-income economy by 2045.