On the afternoon of August 29, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien worked with the Institute of Food Industry and assigned six key tasks for the coming period. The meeting was attended by leaders of departments and institutes under the Ministry.

Affirming the Institute’s leading role

At the session, Director of the Institute of Food Industry Vu Nguyen Thanh reported on the Institute’s performance from 2020 to 2025 and its orientation for 2026-2030, highlighting both achievements and limitations. Representatives of relevant MoIT units contributed 19 opinions, focusing on the Institute’s functions, research direction, and stronger linkages with enterprises to commercialize scientific products and enhance policy advisory roles.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien praised the Institute’s efforts in research, technology transfer, and contributions to the food industry. He noted its significant potential, saying it is among the MoIT’s most promising institutes for strong future development.

The Institute has affirmed its position as Vietnam’s leading research body in food technology and biotechnology, maintaining one of the nation’s largest microbial gene banks with over 1,700 strains for research and industry. It has played an important role in policy advice, developing technical standards, and supporting safe food management. The Institute has also successfully transferred new technologies to enterprises, promoted commercialization of products, and strengthened international cooperation and postgraduate training.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that food industry development is vital for Vietnam’s sustainable growth, as it adds value to agriculture, boosts processing industries, and supports food security. However, challenges remain, including food loss and waste across the supply chain, which require advanced preservation and processing technologies.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien assigned six key tasks to the Institute:

1. Continue to thoroughly study, internalize and implement the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies related to the Industry and Trade sector in general and the food industry in particular. This includes the Food Industry Development Strategy to 2030 with a vision to 2045, the Politburo’s four key resolutions and National Assembly Resolution 193 on innovation and digital transformation, and the restructuring plan for the Industry and Trade sector.

2. Restructure the Institute’s organization in a streamlined and professional manner with modern governance. Make effective use of existing facilities while investing in upgraded laboratories, pilot plants and digital transformation. Build a food safety database and develop strong research teams capable of international publications and patents, moving toward a leading innovation hub in Vietnam and the region.

3. Strengthen the Institute’s advisory role by providing scientific and practical evidence for policymaking. Focus on developing a comprehensive system of national technical standards and regulations on food safety to enhance management effectiveness and protect public health.

4. Innovate operations with enterprises at the center. Research must be market-driven, producing technologies with real impact. The Institute should pioneer eco-friendly preservation and processing technologies, create high-nutrition and safe products, and develop intellectual property to accelerate commercialization.

5. Expand cooperation with universities, research institutes and organizations at home and abroad to adopt advanced expertise and technologies. Strengthen postgraduate training in biotechnology and food technology, while promoting communication and branding to enhance the Institute’s reputation.

6. Consolidate internal unity as the foundation for sustainable growth and future achievements.

Regarding the Institute’s proposals at the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien noted that the Institute had submitted five recommendations to the Ministry. Representatives of relevant MoIT departments discussed and clarified several of these proposals, while the Minister also gave instructions for their specific resolution.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien requested relevant departments and agencies, within their assigned functions and responsibilities, to urgently coordinate in reviewing, appraising, and reporting to the Ministry’s leadership for timely settlement. All responses must align with the Party’s and State’s policies as well as the Institute’s practical conditions and capacities.