Law on Science, Technology and Innovation: New legal corridor for knowledge economy

On June 6, 2025 in Hanoi, the Central Party Office, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment jointly organized a workshop to provide comments on the Draft Law on Science, Technology and Innovation (S&I). The workshop was chaired by Comrade Nguyen Duy Ngoc - Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Inspection Committee, with the participation of representatives of ministries, branches, institutes, schools, enterprises and experts in the fields of law and technology.

The law integrates and institutionalizes major policies.

Speaking at the workshop, comrade Nguyen Duy Ngoc emphasized the strategic role of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation in the country's development process, especially in the context of Vietnam promoting the transformation of the growth model, towards a digital economy and knowledge economy. According to him, in order for the law to play a practical role, it is necessary to closely follow the requirements of socio-economic development, while creating a mechanism to attract and retain domestic and international science and technology talents.

He affirmed that the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation needs to be designed as a tool to institutionalize important resolutions of the Party, especially Resolution 57 on the development of science, technology and innovation, Resolution 66 on the development of knowledge-based economy and Resolution 68 on innovation in the management mechanism of science and technology tasks.

Comrade Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission chaired the Workshop.

Presenting the new points of the Draft, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said: "This Law has never been so open", reflecting open legal thinking, absorbing more than 1,000 opinions from agencies, organizations and individuals. The Draft is linked with more than 10 specialized laws such as the Law on Public Investment, Law on Tax, Law on Technology Transfer, Law on Intellectual Property, Law on Digital Technology Industry, Law on Digital Transformation... to ensure consistency and effective implementation.

A number of policies supporting start-ups and science and technology organizations have been integrated into the laws being discussed by the National Assembly. This synchronization will contribute to promoting activities such as: forming a technology exchange, promoting the transfer and commercialization of research results, removing administrative barriers, and strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights.

In particular, for public science and technology organizations, the Draft proposes to grant real autonomy in finance, personnel and scientific tasks. "S&T organizations must be allowed to propose and proactively use resources instead of passively waiting to be assigned tasks," the Deputy Minister emphasized.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy answered and clarified some issues of concern to delegates regarding the Draft Law on Science, Technology and Innovation.

Strengthening trilateral linkage, promoting intellectual property and technology market

At the workshop, many delegates proposed to improve the financial mechanism to encourage cooperation between the State - Enterprises - Institutes. Representatives of Ho Chi Minh City National University proposed to implement the "three houses" model through innovation centers, along with a co-financing mechanism between the state budget and private enterprises.

Meanwhile, representatives of Hanoi Medical University requested clarification of regulations on international cooperation, especially in inviting foreign experts, receiving funding and attracting high-quality human resources. In reality, there are still many legal and financial barriers in international cooperation in science and technology, making it difficult for universities and research organizations to access global resources.

The issue of intellectual property continued to be discussed by many delegates. A delegate from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said that the addition of regulations on technology trading floors is a breakthrough, contributing to the formation of a transparent technology market, effectively connecting research and businesses.

However, a major obstacle at present is the lack of a clear pricing mechanism for intellectual property. This makes it difficult to contribute capital to patents, transfer technology, and collaborate on research. Therefore, many opinions recommend that the pricing process be specified, ensuring the rights of scientists and promoting innovation in the private sector.

Masan Group representative proposed to minimize administrative procedures in ordering, bidding and accepting S&T tasks, so that businesses can focus on product development rather than reporting processes.

Overview of the Workshop.

Comrade Le Quang Huy, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, affirmed that the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation needs to be built on the spirit of fully institutionalizing the Party's resolutions, especially Resolution 57, Resolution 66 and Resolution 68. According to him, "ensuring consistency between relevant laws is a prerequisite to avoid overlaps and conflicts in practical implementation".

Sharing the same view, Comrade Le Minh Hoan, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, highly appreciated the efforts to remove administrative barriers, expand creative space and mobilize social resources. He suggested that it is necessary to design specific regulations for the field of science, technology and innovation to increase national competitiveness and ensure technological initiative in the context of globalization and the fourth industrial revolution.

In his concluding remarks, comrade Nguyen Duy Ngoc emphasized: "The draft Law on Science, Technology and Innovation needs to be developed on the basis of deeply absorbing expert opinions, reflecting real life and learning from international experience." He suggested that the presiding agency continue to review and adjust regulations on the mechanism of assigning tasks, valuing intellectual property, and creating an effective legal corridor so that science and technology can truly become a driving force for national development.

Immediately after the Workshop, relevant agencies will synthesize 28 major groups of issues and 9 additional opinions directly raised, urgently complete the report to submit to the National Assembly Standing Committee. On that basis, the Draft Law will be adjusted, completed, and submitted to the Government on schedule, ensuring quality, in accordance with the requirements of national development in the new period.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/luat-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-va-doi-moi-sang-tao-hanh-lang-phap-ly-moi-cho-kinh-te-tri-thuc-197250606224328674.htm