Taking science, technology, and innovation as a primary driver of growth.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the ceremony celebrating Vietnam Science and Technology Day on May 18th with the theme "Science, technology and innovation - the driving force for sustainable development" - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The event was organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology to commemorate the 60th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's meeting with intellectuals and the 10th anniversary of Vietnam Science and Technology Day (May 18, 2013 – May 18, 2023).

Attending the welcoming ceremony were Central Committee members: Le Quang Huy, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment; Huynh Thanh Dat, Minister of Science and Technology; Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade ; Chau Van Minh, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; Vu Hai Quan, Director of the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City; Ha Thi Nga, President of the Vietnam Women's Union; leaders of central and local ministries, departments and agencies; representatives of research institutes, universities, businesses, scientists and reporters from news agencies.

Exactly 60 years ago, on May 18, 1963, at the First National Congress of the Vietnam Association for the Dissemination of Science and Technology, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "Science must originate from production and must return to serve production, serve the masses, aiming to increase labor productivity and continuously improve the lives of the people, ensuring the victory of socialism... You must strive to widely disseminate your scientific and technical knowledge among the working people, so that the people can compete in producing more, faster, better, and cheaper...". The 2013 Law on Science and Technology stipulates that May 18th each year is "Vietnam Science and Technology Day".

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat speaks at the ceremony - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

To ignite, inspire, and foster a desire for creativity within the community.

In his welcoming remarks, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat stated that after 10 years of organization, Science and Technology Day has truly become a festival for the scientific, technological, and innovative forces of the whole country. Many ministries, sectors, and localities have chosen Vietnam Science and Technology Day to honor and award prizes to scientists, science management officials, and a large number of people who love science and are passionate about research.

Many institutions, schools, and businesses have organized exhibitions showcasing the results of scientific research and useful initiatives from students, pupils, and workers; opening laboratories and research facilities for students and the public to visit and learn about scientific research and technological development activities.

In addition, many emulation movements, scientific research initiatives, and technical innovation initiatives by researchers, students, and people from all walks of life; and movements to improve productivity and quality in enterprises have been widely organized, attracting the attention and participation of a large number of people.

The diverse and practical activities celebrating Vietnam Science and Technology Day over the past 10 years have awakened, inspired, and fostered a desire for innovation within the community; gradually forming a culture of innovation and nurturing a love for science among young people, contributing to the creation of a society that respects science and creative thinking. Vietnam Science and Technology Day is also an opportunity to reaffirm the important role of science and technology as a key driving force in sustainable socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security.

Many delegates also shared successful experiences in researching and applying science and technology to serve production and business activities in localities and enterprises. Scientists and entrepreneurs also expressed their passion, overcoming difficulties and challenges to create many practical achievements that benefit the country, the people, and society. They also hoped that the government would create mechanisms and policies to provide a better environment and conditions for scientific research, development, and application of technology, in parallel with innovation and creativity.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the Party and the State have always considered the development and application of science and technology as a top national priority, and the most important driving force for socio-economic development and national defense. - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Making significant and outstanding contributions in each period of the country's history.

Opening his speech at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reiterated the words of Swiss philosopher Henri Frederic Amiel, "society develops thanks to science." The Prime Minister emphasized that in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is bringing many opportunities as well as numerous new challenges, the crucial role of science and technology is even more evident.

Reviewing the development and application of science and technology during the two wars of national liberation and reunification, and the period of national renewal, the Prime Minister affirmed that the Party and State have always considered the development and application of science and technology as a top national priority and the most important driving force for socio-economic development and national defense. Science and technology have made significant and outstanding contributions in each historical period of the country across all fields.

The seamless integration of management science with science and technology has helped Vietnam achieve many successes, for example, the innovative use of SAM-2 missiles to defeat B52 bombers, creating a historical turning point that fundamentally changed the course of the resistance war against the US, forcing the US government to sign the Paris Agreement ending the war, restoring peace in Vietnam, leading to the complete liberation of the South and national reunification; or transforming from a food-deficient country into a leading food exporter...

The Prime Minister stated that in recent years, serving the cause of national construction and defense, the field of science and technology has continued to achieve significant accomplishments. Social sciences and humanities have contributed to the formulation of policies, guidelines, and viewpoints, and the protection of the Party's ideological foundation. Basic sciences have achieved many successes, and some fields of natural sciences continue to maintain high rankings in the ASEAN region.

Vietnam is a progressive country with great potential and increasing value in innovation, especially for the younger generation. Many large Vietnamese businesses are increasingly interested in and focused on investing in the development of science and technology through funds, research institutes, universities, centers, and various forms of collaboration... The innovation index is among the top 50 countries in the world.

Alongside this, the scientific and technological intellectual workforce is growing stronger, developing both in quantity and quality. Many Vietnamese scientists, including female scientists and young scientists, have conducted research with regional and international impact. The science and technology market has been formed, beginning to show its effectiveness and achieving some positive results.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister commended and warmly congratulated Vietnamese scientists at home and abroad who have made silent contributions and selfless labor for the country over the years; and praised the ministries and levels of government that have supported and assisted the scientific and technological forces in successfully completing their assigned tasks, making positive and effective contributions to the cause of national construction and defense.

Pointing out the limitations that need to be overcome, the Prime Minister stated that science, technology, and innovation have not developed in proportion to their potential and their position as a top national priority; they have not truly become a driving force for development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that in a rapidly changing, complex, and unpredictable world, it is necessary to further nurture and promote the spirit of science, technology, and innovation. - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Strongly promote the intelligence and creativity of the Vietnamese people.

According to the Prime Minister, many countries around the world, such as the United States, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Israel, and China, have been very successful in developing science, technology, and innovation, using this as a driving force to break through and rise strongly, becoming role models, leading nations, and pioneers in the fourth industrial revolution.

In Vietnam, the development of science and technology is identified as a top national priority. The 13th National Congress of the Party continued to define the development of science and technology and innovation from the perspective of "...improving the quality of human resources, having breakthrough mechanisms to attract and utilize talent, strongly applying science and technology, especially the achievements of the fourth industrial revolution, promoting innovation, and creating new impetus for the rapid and sustainable development of the country...".

"In a rapidly changing, complex, and unpredictable world, it is necessary to further nurture and promote the spirit of science, technology, and innovation; to have a team of excellent teachers with a spirit and enthusiasm for research; a team of excellent scientists working in research institutes and universities; excellent engineers and technologists in enterprises; and excellent science managers to formulate policies that promote the development of science, technology, and innovation; to effectively utilize the resources of Vietnamese scientists abroad; and to have innovative thinking, strategic vision, high determination, great effort, decisive action, focused and targeted strategies, and to maximize potential and competitive advantages for development," the Prime Minister emphasized.

The Prime Minister stated that in order to implement the 10-year Science and Technology Development Strategy 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, it is necessary to continue to decisively innovate thinking and action to unlock, maximize, mobilize, and effectively utilize all resources, especially strongly promoting the intellect and creativity of the Vietnamese people, taking science, technology, and innovation as a key driver of growth.

Focus on specific areas where Vietnam has strengths.

To accomplish the above task, the Prime Minister outlined several perspectives on the development of science and technology. Accordingly, the development of science and technology must serve to promote socio-economic development, improve the material and spiritual lives of the people, ensure national defense and security, maintain independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and build an independent and self-reliant economy coupled with proactive, deep, substantive, and effective international integration.

Science and technology, and innovation, must be closely linked to practice, focusing on solving practical problems and using practice as the measure of success. Scientific research must focus on fundamental, theoretical issues and fields, while also addressing the bottlenecks posed by reality; at the same time, it must provide direction and guidance for the development of production and business.

By closely following global trends, developing science and technology both in breadth and depth, while focusing on key areas where Vietnam has strengths, we can achieve breakthroughs, create differentiation, and lead the way in the region and the world.

Human resources are central, the subject, the goal, and the driving force behind the development of science and technology and innovation. Investing in human resources in science and technology is an investment in sustainable development, directly enhancing the intellectual capacity and strength of the nation.

Encouraging scientific research and innovation among all ages, genders, and professions, regardless of location (lowlands, mountains, border regions, islands), and whether Vietnamese people are in Vietnam or abroad.

In science, one must have dreams and ambitions; enthusiasm and passion; aspirations and belief; goals and ideals; effort and perseverance; self-respect and national pride; and a spirit of self-sacrifice for science, daring to face failure in order to succeed.

The Prime Minister emphasized that in science, one must have dreams and aspirations; enthusiasm and passion; ambition and belief; goals and ideals; effort and perseverance; self-respect and national pride; and a spirit of self-sacrifice for science, daring to face failure in order to succeed. - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

There is a specific mechanism that accepts risks and failures in science.

Regarding key tasks for the coming period, the Prime Minister requested that awareness and action be enhanced at all levels and sectors in directing the development of science and technology and innovation. He also called for continued improvement of synchronized and appropriate mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in technology application and enhance research and development capabilities in science and technology amidst the current fierce competition. He emphasized the need for specific mechanisms that accept risks and failures in science, and the removal of administrative barriers in the management of scientific research activities. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of establishing a legal framework for implementing pilot, experimental, and specific mechanisms for new economic models based on science, technology, and innovation.

Secondly, maximize the mobilization of state and social resources for the development of science and technology and innovation; identify investment in science and technology and innovation as investment in development; use public investment to lead and strongly promote private investment in science and technology. Create breakthroughs in the application of science and technology and innovation in the business sector and public services.

Thirdly, create a favorable academic environment and working conditions to utilize, value, and attract scientific and technological talent; develop a network connecting Vietnamese talent domestically and abroad. Strengthen efforts to attract the active participation of scientists in addressing bottlenecks and obstacles to the country's socio-economic development. Facilitate research and the transfer of scientific and technological results in accordance with market mechanisms; ensure an environment of academic freedom and autonomy in research.

Fourth, ministries, sectors, and localities should research, boldly propose, and implement superior incentive policies for the science and technology workforce; ignite passion, a desire to contribute, foster an entrepreneurial spirit, and encourage innovation; and promote commitment and willingness to face risks in carrying out science and technology tasks. They should also research and apply mechanisms for using state capital to invest in venture capital for science and technology and innovation.

Fifth, businesses need to consider scientific and technological activities and innovation as one of the key factors in improving productivity, quality, and competitiveness. They should encourage and motivate employees to continuously improve and innovate in their work. They should enhance their capacity for research, application, and absorption of advanced technologies into production and business.

Sixth, management agencies, science and technology research institutions, and media outlets should increase the amount of time dedicated to publicizing successful science and technology models and innovative initiatives that have been effectively applied to production and business. This will encourage, motivate, and inspire ideas and initiatives for the development of science and technology. It will strongly promote a national spirit of learning, entrepreneurship, and innovation, fostering continuous innovation.

The Prime Minister listens to presentations on several science and technology products applied in agriculture and industry - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed his wish that experts and scientists would always maintain their enthusiasm, passion, and dedication to science, so that this passion would continue to be passed on and spread to present and future generations. The Prime Minister called on businesses to pay more attention and comprehensively increase investment in the development of science and technology, especially in new fields serving green, sustainable, and environmentally friendly development.

The Prime Minister reiterated that, during his lifetime, the beloved President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "The socialist revolution is closely linked to the development of science and technology, and to the cultural development of the people." The Prime Minister expressed confidence that, with their will, determination, and efforts, the science and technology sector will overcome difficulties and challenges, uphold its fine traditions and achievements of the past years, and make increasingly important, practical, and effective contributions to realizing the aspiration of building a strong and prosperous Vietnam, bringing well-being and happiness to the people.

Source: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/thu-tuong-lay-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-va-doi-moi-sang-tao-lam-mot-dong-luc-tang-truong-chu-yeu-357401.html