Hanoi, Oct. 1 -- Vietnam is gradually moving from awareness to action and placing science, technology and innovation among the foundations of a new development model, with innovation increasingly recognised as a key driver of growth, productivity, competitiveness and economic resilience. According to the 2026 Global Innovation Index (GII) report by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Vietnam ranks 43rd among 139 countries and economies, up one place from 2025. It remains second among lower-middle-income economies, after India, and third in ASEAN, behind Singapore and Malaysia. Positive changes in innovation capacity Since 2016, Vietnam's GII ranking has risen 16 places, from 59th to 43rd, while its innovation output ranki...