Using science and technology as the main driving force for the new growth model.

Establishing a new growth model based on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation is a decisive strategic choice for the country's development in the coming period.

The draft Political Report submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Party clearly defines the requirement to establish a new growth model, with science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation as the main driving forces. This orientation is not formed from purely theoretical requirements, but is based on the important and fairly comprehensive achievements of the 13th Party Congress term in the context of a volatile world and increasingly fierce strategic competition.

Science and technology are the main driving force for the new growth model. Photo: VGP.

The achievements of the 13th term have laid the foundation for transforming the growth model.

During the period 2021-2025, Vietnam's economic growth is estimated to average approximately 6.3% per year, placing it among the highest in the region and the world. GDP in 2025 is projected to exceed US$510 billion, an increase of about 1.47 times compared to 2020; GDP per capita is expected to reach approximately US$5,000, officially placing Vietnam in the group of upper-middle-income countries.

Alongside economic growth, the cultural, social, and social welfare sectors have seen many positive changes; national defense and security have been strengthened; and foreign relations and international integration continue to expand and be elevated. The three strategic breakthroughs in institutions, human resources, and infrastructure have been implemented synchronously, creating significant changes in reforming the investment environment, improving the quality of human resources, and expanding the scope of development.

Three strategic breakthroughs in institutions, human resources, and infrastructure have been implemented synchronously, with a focus on key areas. The mindset regarding lawmaking and enforcement has been gradually reformed towards strong decentralization and delegation of power, coupled with administrative procedure reform. The quality of human resources has been progressively improved. Socio-economic infrastructure has seen significant development with a series of large-scale, modern projects invested in, from expressways, airports, and seaports to digital infrastructure, contributing to a new national image and expanding development opportunities.

Notably, investment in science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation has been strengthened, especially in high-tech fields, the construction of national data centers, the application of population data, and electronic identification and authentication. These results have contributed to promoting innovation in the growth model, improving productivity, quality, and added value of the economy. The role of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation is increasingly evident in many sectors and fields, contributing to improving productivity, quality, and added value of the economy.

However, the Draft Political Report also frankly points out that science , technology, and innovation have not yet truly become the main driving force of industrialization and modernization. Infrastructure is still lacking in synchronization; mechanisms and policies on science, technology, and innovation are inadequate; the science and technology market is developing slowly; and enterprises have not yet played a central role in the national innovation system. These limitations necessitate an urgent need for a strong reform of the growth model in the coming period.

New impetus for rapid and sustainable development.

Against the backdrop of the rapidly and profoundly developing Fourth Industrial Revolution, particularly with the breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and high technology, strategic competition among nations is increasingly focused on technology, supply chains, and innovation capabilities. In light of this trend, the Draft Political Report presented to the 14th National Congress of the Party emphasizes the need for drastic reforms and the comprehensive improvement of institutions for the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation according to market principles and international practices.

The application of science and technology and digital transformation in agriculture helps increase productivity and product quality. Photo: Minh Nguyen.

The focus is on definitively removing bottlenecks in the management, investment, finance, and autonomy mechanisms of science and technology organizations; encouraging businesses to invest in, apply, and gradually master new and high technologies. Scientific development will be oriented in a synchronized, interdisciplinary, and focused manner; forming strong research groups; strengthening public-private cooperation; and attracting, training, and utilizing high-quality science and technology human resources.

The draft requires prioritizing the acquisition, transfer, creative application, and gradual mastery of strategic technologies, core technologies, and source technologies, especially in fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor chips, new energy, aerospace technology, and quantum technology. Basic research is emphasized, linked to application-oriented research, technology mastery, and ensuring national sovereignty in key areas.

Simultaneously, the focus is on promoting comprehensive digital transformation, coupled with ensuring security and safety; developing digital infrastructure, big data, and the data economy; accelerating the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in the management and administration of the Party and the State; and fostering a digital society and digital citizens. The science and technology market is developed synchronously and interconnected with the region and the world; and the linkages between research institutes, universities, and businesses are strengthened.

In particular, the Draft Political Report submitted to the 14th National Congress identifies the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the central tasks for the entire term, closely linked to the requirements of building a modern socialist-oriented market economy and developing new productive forces. The goals for the 2026-2030 period are clearly defined: the digital economy will reach approximately 30% of GDP, the contribution of total factor productivity (TFP) will exceed 55%, and the labor productivity growth rate will be around 8.5% per year.

Establishing a new growth model based on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Photo: Minh Ngoc.

To realize these goals, the Draft Report identifies three strategic breakthroughs: a breakthrough in development institutions to unlock all resources; a breakthrough in human resources, especially high-quality human resources; and a breakthrough in socio-economic infrastructure, with a focus on technology infrastructure and digital infrastructure to serve digital transformation, green transformation, and energy transformation.

Establishing a new growth model based on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation is a decisive strategic choice for the country's development in the coming period. Building on the achievements of the 13th National Congress, the biggest challenge lies not in the direction, but in the capacity to organize and implement it, so that science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation truly become the central driving force of rapid and sustainable growth.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/lay-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-lam-dong-luc-chinh-cho-mo-hinh-tang-truong-moi-d794168.html