Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan attended and delivered guidance remarks at the event. The conference also attended by representatives from units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with enterprises, including groups and general corporations operating in the industrial and trade sectors.

From the Vietnam Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade (VIOIT), Party Secretary and Director Nguyen Van Hoi presided over the conference.

Outstanding achievements amid numerous challenges

Opening the conference, Director Nguyen Van Hoi noted that 2025 was marked by numerous fluctuations and challenges, particularly in the context of reorganizing the institutional model and promoting streamlined operations.

Under the wise and decisive leadership of the Party Committee Standing Board and the Ministry’s management, in close coordination with internal and external units, and especially thanks to the solidarity, intelligence, and high responsibility of our staff, the Vietnam Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade has excellently and comprehensively completed all scientific research and policy advisory tasks. These contributions have provided practical scientific evidence that substantively supported the 2025 targets and the successes of the Ministry’s 2021 - 2025 term

According to the conference report, in 2025 the Institute successfully completed the merger with the Central Training and Professional Development School of Industry and Trade. The unit quickly stabilized and officially operated under the new model from March 1, 2025, reaffirming its important role in supporting the Ministry’s state management work. Throughout the year, the Institute implemented and completed 40 research tasks along with 11 carry-over tasks, ensuring quality and adherence to deadlines.

In strategic research, the Institute closely coordinated with Ministry units to draft five key sectoral development strategies through 2030 with a vision to 2045, covering the dairy, steel, automotive, industrial, and local trade sectors. Notably, the Vietnam Retail Market Development Strategy was approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 2326/QD-TTg on October 21, 2025. The Institute also actively participated in the Ministry’s task force to develop strategic solutions to promote double-digit economic growth in the new term.

Training and human resource development also achieved substantial results, with 15 doctoral students studying in the field of trade and commerce, including seven who successfully defended their theses at the Institute level. Staff development activities were vigorous, organizing 34 training courses for ethnic minority and mountainous areas, alongside advanced digital transformation training in Hai Phong, Nghe An, and Lao Cai. The Institute proactively developed 12 specialized training programs and compiled training materials for the Ministry’s managerial and leadership staff.

International integration efforts expanded through study missions to Russia, Laos, and South Korea, leading to the signing of important scientific cooperation memoranda. Concurrently, the Institute’s organizational structure was streamlined into nine units with a highly qualified staff of 207, including 17 PhDs and 104 master’s degree holders. Employee welfare was ensured through full implementation of benefits and practical social activities.

In social activities, the Institute demonstrated solidarity, contributing VND 128 million to support storm and flood-affected communities and participating in the “Together to Eliminate Temporary Housing” program in Tuyen Quang province. With comprehensive efforts, the Institute completed files to nominate for the Ministry’s Emulation Flag, 19 individuals were recognized as grassroots emulation champions, and 10 collectives were acknowledged as excellent labor groups in 2025.

Three key tasks for 2026

Delivering guidance at the conference, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan emphasized that 2025 was a special period for the Ministry, implementing restructuring and unit reorganization.

The merger of the Vietnam Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade with the Central Training and Professional Development School of Industry and Trade was a major decision, carefully considered by the Ministry’s Party Committee. In practice, this merger has created new strength, forming a close link between research, policy advisory, and training activities.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that the Institute’s post-merger focus is not only on training implementation staff but also on preparing a pool of managerial talent to train and develop other levels of the Ministry’s workforce, a major task requiring long-term thinking and systematic approaches. He praised the Institute’s solidarity and efforts, noting that the positive results in both Party building and professional tasks clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the merger model and the unit’s determination to excel.

Regarding 2026 tasks, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan stressed three priorities:

First, enhancing policy advisory quality, clarifying “strategic, practical, and predictive value.” As the industrial and trade sector is one of the two pillars of the economy contributing significantly to double-digit growth, the Institute must comprehensively review existing strategies, plans, and policies. This work must align with the newly issued Central Resolutions and preparations for the 14th National Party Congress. The Deputy Minister considered this a “top-priority” task and requested the Institute submit a detailed report to Ministry leadership. As a strategic and planning research unit, the Institute should leverage its advantages in systematization, integration, and even propose bold, innovative ideas to drive new growth. Participation in drafting the resolution on double-digit growth further requires deep research and close collaboration with management units to ensure feasibility.

Second, intensifying specialized training. The Deputy Minister encouraged the Institute to proactively propose research orders from Ministry units, particularly on strategic issues. In training, the Institute should strengthen specialized programs, placing people at the center. Beyond internal staff, experts and scientists should be invited to ensure programs are practically relevant and in-depth.

Third, improving infrastructure quality. Following the merger, the Institute has relatively good facilities, which need to be used efficiently and in compliance with regulations to avoid waste. To meet research and training demands in the digital transformation context, the Deputy Minister urged the Institute leadership to coordinate with relevant units and propose investment in modern, standardized equipment befitting a major research and training institution under the Ministry.