A leading strategic breakthrough

On May 18, 2026, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Science and Technology held a ceremony marking Vietnam Science, Technology and Innovation Day, alongside a conference on the implementation of strategic technologies under the theme: “Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation - Key drivers of a new growth model.”

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasized that Vietnam Science, Technology and Innovation Day is not only an occasion to honor scientists, intellectuals and entrepreneurs for their achievements in scientific research, technological development, innovation and application, but also an important opportunity to inspire pride in Vietnamese intellect and the spirit of innovation among all people, especially the younger generation.

“The country’s development requirements have identified science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the foundation, the driving force and the foremost strategic breakthrough for entering a new stage of national development,” PM said.

According to PM Hung, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation development. The resolution carries special strategic significance, reflecting the Party’s strong political determination to advance science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

The Party Central Committee also issued Conclusion No. 18-KL/TW dated April 2, 2026 on the socio-economic development plan, national finance, public debt borrowing and repayment, and medium-term public investment plan for 2026-2030 associated with the goal of achieving “double-digit” economic growth. The conclusion highlighted the transition toward a new growth model driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

More recently, Conclusion No. 246 dated May 12, 2026 from the third meeting of the Government Steering Committee on science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and Project 06 directed the implementation of specific measures, focusing on mobilizing resources for research, development and commercialization of technologies; prioritizing strategic and core technologies; and strengthening technological self-reliance.

On the occasion of Vietnam Science, Technology and Innovation Day, on behalf of Party and State leaders, the Prime Minister commended generations of officials, civil servants, public employees and entrepreneurs working in science and technology, particularly recognizing the silent sacrifices and tireless dedication of those engaged in scientific research, technological development and innovation both at home and abroad.

Alongside achievements and progress, the Prime Minister pointed out that science, technology and innovation activities still face many shortcomings and have yet to truly become a major driving force or breakthrough for socio-economic development. Resource mobilization for science and technology has not received adequate attention, while policies on training and utilizing scientific and technological personnel, despite improvements, still contain shortcomings. Mechanisms for developing science and technology activities also remain incomplete.

PM Hung noted that substantial work is still underway regarding institutional reform, development of strategic technologies and products, human resource training, financial mechanisms and policy breakthroughs to further accelerate science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, effectively bringing Resolution 57 into practice and contributing to higher productivity, quality and competitiveness of the economy.

Affirming Vietnam’s position in the digital era

The Prime Minister stressed that the world is living in an era where science, technology and innovation are advancing and changing every day, while global competition is intensifying. Countries with strong competitiveness will seize opportunities to achieve rapid and sustainable development.

“With the goal of becoming a modern industrialized nation by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045, science, technology, innovation and digital transformation have been identified as the core driving force, the ‘golden key’ and a vital factor in realizing the country’s development aspirations,” he affirmed.

To achieve these goals, the Prime Minister called on the science and technology sector to focus on several key orientations in the coming period.

First, the Ministry of Science and Technology must serve as the core agency coordinating with ministries, sectors, localities, enterprises, research institutes and universities in implementing national science, technology, innovation and digital transformation development strategies. Priority should be given to effectively implementing the List of Strategic Technologies and Strategic Technology Products under Decision No. 21/2026/QD-TTg dated April 30, 2026 and Decision No. 808/QD-TTg dated May 6, 2026.

He emphasized that strategic technology development must generate concrete products with high added value, strong practical applicability, commercial potential and high localization rates, thereby effectively contributing to labor productivity and economic competitiveness.

PM Hung stressed that enterprises, research institutes and universities must become the center of the innovation ecosystem. Ministries and sectors assigned tasks by the Government must promptly commission enterprises and research institutions to develop core technologies and strategic products serving governance, administration and production activities in their respective fields. Vietnam is determined to materialize several strategic products this year in priority sectors.

He further underlined that incentive mechanisms and policies must be strong enough and practical for real-world implementation. Policies must be accompanied by detailed guidelines for immediate execution, while clearly identifying bottlenecks, obstacles and responsible authorities to ensure timely solutions.

In particular, the Prime Minister called for the urgent removal of bottlenecks related to financial mechanisms for science, technology and innovation; prioritizing resources for strategic technologies, core technologies and technology enterprises; and promoting capital markets for innovation, venture capital funds and innovative startups.

The Government has directly tasked the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Science and Technology and other ministers to quickly finalize relevant mechanisms.

“The mechanism must be breakthrough-oriented. If we continue to apply conventional procedures and mechanisms, it will be impossible to invest effectively in innovation,” the Prime Minister stressed, adding that the approach should focus on commissioning tasks, accepting controlled risks and evaluating state investment efficiency based on final outputs and products.

Alongside state capital, he said, it is necessary to encourage investment from enterprises and society, concentrating resources on priority products while ensuring highly open and flexible state financial mechanisms.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the State’s role in guiding, connecting, commissioning and supporting research and development, while acting as the “first buyer” of qualified strategic technology products.

“The principle is clear tasks, clear products, clear lead agencies, clear participating enterprises and institutions, clear resources and clear deadlines,” he said, adding that ministers and agency heads assigned tasks must take direct responsibility for implementation and outcomes.

Second, he called for building an effective innovation ecosystem in which the State creates institutions, universities and research institutes generate knowledge, technology and human resources, while enterprises become the center for application and commercialization of technologies and the core of the national innovation ecosystem.

Third, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation and establishing mechanisms requiring foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam to transfer technologies, enabling Vietnam to gradually participate in and master strategic technology value chains while leveraging the overseas Vietnamese intellectual and expert network.

Fourth, he emphasized the critical importance of developing high-quality human resources and introducing exceptional mechanisms to identify, train, attract and utilize talent, especially leading experts, young scientists and technology talents.

Fifth, the Prime Minister urged a shift away from the mindset of “doing things for formality’s sake” toward creating substantive products, real value and tangible efficiency. All science, technology and innovation programs must focus on solving major national challenges, directly serving people and businesses, with practical outcomes and commercialization serving as key evaluation criteria.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung affirmed that developing science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and strategic technologies is the pathway for Vietnam to achieve rapid and sustainable development in the new era.

“The Government firmly believes that with Vietnamese intellect, Vietnamese courage and the aspiration of the Vietnamese people, we will gradually master strategic technologies, strengthen national self-reliance and affirm Vietnam’s position in the digital era. We must demonstrate the highest determination to achieve this goal,” the Prime Minister stated.

PM Hung also called on intellectuals, scientists, experts, entrepreneurs, the technology business community and society as a whole to continue promoting patriotism, dedication and the spirit of innovation in order to build a strong science, technology and innovation foundation for a prosperous, civilized and happy Vietnam.