Science, technology and innovation are the main driving forces, the most important breakthroughs

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung visits and works with the Ministry of Science and Technology - Photo: VGP/Thu Sa

Key tasks in 2025

After the merger, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) performs the functions of state management of scientific research activities, technology development, innovation, high-tech development, strategic technology, development of science and technology potential; intellectual property; quality measurement standards; atomic energy, radiation and nuclear safety; post; telecommunications; radio frequencies; information technology industry, digital technology industry; information technology application; electronic transactions; national digital transformation; state management of public services in the sectors and fields under the management of the ministry according to the provisions of law.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long reported on a number of key tasks of the Ministry in 2025.

Regarding digital transformation, the Ministry is developing a National AI Transformation Program to apply AI in all fields; expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister for promulgation in May 2025. At the same time, deploying 5G infrastructure with the goal of doubling the speed, covering the whole country with low-altitude satellites in December 2025; local ministries and branches must have smart operation centers.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long reports on some key tasks of the Ministry in 2025 - Photo: VGP/Thu Sa

In addition, the Ministry of Science and Technology focuses on online public services. Accordingly, it strives for at least 80% of administrative procedures under the Ministry's jurisdiction to be eligible, provided online in full, and integrated and provided on the National Public Service Portal; the ratio of records processed online in full out of the total number of records to reach at least 50%.

Regarding the digital economy, the Ministry will develop and submit to the Prime Minister a Program to Support Digital Transformation for Small and Medium Enterprises, Business Households, and Cooperatives (expected in April 2025); develop a set of criteria to assess the level of digital transformation; build a digital platform for common use in industries and fields; and allocate vouchers to businesses that need to carry out digital transformation.

Regarding digital society, aiming for each citizen and civil servant to have a virtual assistant.

In the field of digital technology, the Ministry focuses on completing the list of strategic technologies; strategic technology development programs; strategic industries. Along with that, it is issuing the National Startup Project with the spirit of innovation among the people; effectively using the National Technology Innovation Fund (NATIF); building and implementing the Venture Investment Fund;...

In the field of science and technology, the Ministry is actively building a shared science and technology infrastructure; restructuring national science and technology programs; issuing a set of indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of science and technology (S&T) activities, digital transformation (DCT), and innovation (I).

Deputy Prime Minister noted major challenges that need to be thoroughly resolved in the coming time - Photo: VGP/Thu Sa

The main and continuous motivation

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung highly appreciated the Ministry of Science and Technology for preparing and reporting in an innovative, complete, and comprehensive manner, going straight to the core tasks and strategic issues of the industry and the Ministry in 2025.

After 40 years of renovation, the country has achieved many great achievements. The 13th National Party Congress has set two clear goals: By 2030, our country will become a developing country with modern industry and high average income; by 2045, our country will become a developed country with high income. And up to now, Vietnam has not adjusted that goal.

"There is not much time left. To achieve the set goals, we must have new driving forces, namely science, technology and innovation," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

The 13th National Party Congress documents also identified science and technology as the top important breakthrough. Now, we are continuing to affirm the role of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation for the coming period; taking science and technology as the main driving force to develop the country, develop the economy, restructure the economy, increase labor productivity and increase competitiveness.

6 challenges and 5 trends

In addition to the encouraging results, the Deputy Prime Minister noted the major challenges that need to be thoroughly resolved in the coming time, including: (i) The large gap in the level of science and technology development with developed countries; (ii) Awareness of the role of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation in some ministries, branches and localities is still not really adequate; (iii) The legal corridor is not yet synchronous; there are still some "bottlenecks" that hinder the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation; (iv) Research and application activities have not achieved strategic breakthroughs; the ability to apply in practice is still limited; (v) Human resources in science and technology, especially leading scientists, are still seriously lacking; (vi) Investment resources for scientific research institutes, laboratory systems and digital infrastructure are not yet synchronous.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the responsibility for the Ministry in particular and the science and technology sector in general is very heavy, requiring high determination - Photo: VGP/Thu Sa

Assessing that the regional and world situation continues to evolve rapidly, complexly, and unpredictably, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung analyzed five major trends that are strongly impacting the fields of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Specifically: (i) Investment capital for the field of science, technology and innovation is increasing, including public investment capital and investment from the private sector; (ii) AI and artificial AI are developing faster and faster and have a strong impact on the entire economy; (iii) Science, technology and innovation activities are increasingly developing based on the foundation of ecosystems, with close cooperation between the Government, institutes, schools, large corporations, startups... and are increasingly affected by geopolitical factors; (iv) Competition is increasingly fierce for resources for the development of the field of science, technology and innovation, including: high-quality human resources, data and computing capacity...; (v) Governments of countries are quickly adjusting policies and promoting public-private partnerships with the ambition to lead the field of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, especially in strategic industries such as semiconductors, AI...

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the responsibility for the Ministry in particular and the science and technology sector in general is very heavy, requiring high determination to meet the requirements of the Party and State leaders.

Orientation for the Ministry of Science and Technology to fulfill its role and mission

Based on the achieved results, along with analysis and forecasts, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized a number of key orientations and tasks that the Ministry of Science and Technology needs to focus on implementing in the coming time.

First, quickly complete the organizational structure. The Ministry must consider this an opportunity to restructure the industry and sector; screen the apparatus and rearrange human resources.

Second, thoroughly grasp and resolutely implement the policies of the Party and State, especially Resolution 57 of the Politburo, Resolution 193 of the National Assembly and Resolution 03 of the Government. This is the guideline to concretize into feasible programs and action plans, with clear roadmaps and responsibilities.

The Ministry must raise awareness and create new momentum in the whole society about the role of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation; put people and businesses at the center, scientists as key factors, and the State playing the role of creating, leading and promoting.

"This must be specified within the Ministry. There needs to be a specific program to monitor, update, and evaluate the implementation of the tasks of Resolution 57," the Deputy Prime Minister suggested.

Notably, the Deputy Prime Minister especially emphasized that the AI ​​Program is very important and must be focused on immediately.

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung thanked and accepted the Deputy Prime Minister's direction - Photo: VGP/Thu Sa

Third, promote the improvement of institutions and legal policies in a synchronous and transparent manner, eliminate all ideas, concepts and barriers that are hindering development; be determined to eliminate the mindset of "if you can't manage, then ban" and promote the flexibility of institutions, making institutions a competitive advantage in the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Fourth, promote the development of digital infrastructure and strategic technology. In particular, promote the early completion of two submarine optical cable lines and deploy the national 5G network, build large data centers, and develop cutting-edge technologies such as AI, IoT, blockchain, semiconductors, etc. Digital infrastructure must be invested synchronously and modernly, creating the foundation for the digital economy, digital society and digital government.

Fifth, focus on scientific and technological research and develop high-quality human resources, especially for strategic technology industries. In particular, promote the "three-party" linkage (State - Scientists - Investors), taking practical application as a measure of research effectiveness.

Sixth, promote innovation and digital transformation in enterprises in conjunction with enhancing the role of the private economic sector in developing science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. Strengthen the linkage between the domestic economic sector and the FDI sector to receive technology transfer.

"How to encourage new and high technology, improve the capacity of Vietnamese enterprises while still attracting high-quality FDI enterprises; shorten the gap between domestic enterprises and FDI enterprises, and bring our country deeper into the global value chain", the Deputy Prime Minister said that when designing policies, this must be paid close attention to.

Seventh, strengthen international cooperation, maximize resources from advanced countries, international organizations and large technology corporations to improve Vietnam's internal capacity.

Eighth, improve the effectiveness of state management on digital platforms, build synchronous national databases, ensure network security and data safety.

Regarding the recommendations and proposals of the Ministry, the Deputy Prime Minister preliminarily agreed and assigned relevant ministries and branches to consider and resolve them within their authority as soon as possible, especially issues related to policy mechanisms, infrastructure investment, database connection and human resource development.

With the new apparatus, the spirit of solidarity and innovation, the Ministry of Science and Technology is confident that it will complete its extremely important tasks, bringing science and technology to the level expected by the Party and the State. The Government will always accompany and create favorable conditions for the Ministry to complete its mission./.

Thu Sa

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-va-doi-moi-sang-tao-la-dong-luc-chinh-dot-pha-quan-trong-hang-dau-102250401201922762.htm