Developing a network of 500 science and technology business members

On December 5, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Association of Science and Technology Enterprises (VST) held its second national congress (2025-2030).

The Presidium runs the congress. Photo: D.H.

Licensed in 2019 and officially operating since 2020, VST was born right at the time when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. With constant efforts, VST quickly stabilized the organization. At the end of the first term, VST had gathered 194 members nationwide. In addition to professional activities, VST also actively participated in social security work with a total value of more than 36 billion VND.

Delegates attending the congress. Photo: D.H

During the 2025-2023 term, VST aims to develop the network to 500 members, have at least 60% of member enterprises implement innovation activities, over 30% of enterprises effectively apply 4.0 technology, build at least 10 large national-level science and technology enterprises to play a leading role, support at least 30 technology pilot projects, of which 10 projects are successfully commercialized.

To realize these goals, VST will form vertical innovation clusters such as: high-tech agriculture , smart healthcare, environmental technology and new materials.

Labor Hero Hoang Duc Thao, Chairman of VST, delivered the opening speech at the congress. Photo: D.H

At the congress, VST also made many recommendations to the Government and ministries and branches to create a favorable legal corridor for science and technology enterprises. Regarding institutions, VST proposed that the Government soon issue decrees and circulars guiding the Law on Science and Technology and the Law on Innovation (effective from October 1, 2025); at the same time, reform the accounting regime and reduce taxes for commercialized products from research results.

Regarding data, there needs to be a public and transparent mechanism that allows businesses and scientists to access the national database system to serve research. Regarding sustainable development, VST recommends that the Government have preferential policies in bidding and investment for businesses that do well in reporting sustainable development, considering this as a driving force to promote exports.

Speaking at the congress, Deputy Director of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises (Ministry of Science and Technology) Tran Xuan Dich said that in the context of the whole country strongly implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation, the role of science and technology enterprises does not stop at "applying what already exists", but must be raised to a new level.

Deputy Director of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises (Ministry of Science and Technology) Tran Xuan Dich spoke at the congress. Photo: D.H

To date, the country has nearly 1,000 science and technology enterprises, many of which have revenue from products researched and developed by the enterprises themselves. Many science and technology enterprises have formed Vietnamese technology brands in fields such as biomedicine, microchips/chips, information technology, agricultural technology, and the environment. However, looking at the whole picture, science and technology enterprises currently account for only about 1% of the total number of operating enterprises. Vietnam still lacks large-scale science and technology enterprises with leadership, competitiveness, and trend-setting capabilities on a regional and global scale.

Mr. Tran Xuan Dich emphasized that in the new context, science and technology enterprises must be the "vanguard" in the knowledge-based economic development strategy, the direct force that creates the future of the country. Science and technology enterprises proactively solve the country's strategic problems, bring Vietnam deeper into the global value chain, conquer demanding markets, contribute to the goal of increasing productivity, high and sustainable growth. Science and technology enterprises must become a symbol of Vietnam's spirit of self-reliance and technological autonomy. VST needs to truly become the connecting nucleus, the driving force to connect and lead the Vietnamese science and technology enterprise ecosystem.

The Congress elected the VST leadership for the second term (2025-2030) including 1 Chairman and 9 Vice Chairmen. Of which, Hero of Labor Hoang Duc Thao, Chairman of the Board of Directors, General Director of Vietnam Science and Technology Joint Stock Company, Chairman of VST for the first term, was re-elected as Chairman.

TRAN BINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/phat-trien-mang-luoi-500-hoi-vien-doanh-nghiep-kh-cn-post827091.html