Deputy Prime Minister: 'We have the right to be proud of the great contributions of science and technology'

At the event "Vietnam Science and Technology Day May 18" in 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung gave a speech to help guide and inspire the country's journey of science and technology development.

At the beginning of his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister sent his congratulations to scientists, workers and science lovers nationwide and thanked generations of scientists, science managers and businesses for their support and contributions in the past time.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung led the meeting of the knowledge network 62 years ago, President Ho Chi Minh emphasized the importance of science originating from production practices and returning to serve the people, serving the noble goal of building socialism and improving people's lives. This is the guiding principle for national development. The Party and State have always been consistent in the view that developing science and technology is the driving force for national development, making Vietnam a developed country with high income by 2045.

"We have the right to be proud of the process of scientific and technological development, from initiatives serving the battlefield to large construction projects. Those achievements are proof of the creativity of Vietnam's team of scientists," said Mr. Nguyen Chi Dung.

The world is entering a profound change with technological advances in AI, IOT, green technology... This is a challenge and also an opportunity for Vietnam to keep pace with the world to develop rapidly, sustainably, and inclusively. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that scientific development is the foundation for building a prosperous Vietnam, protecting the environment, and improving people's lives.

In that context, the Government clearly identified: Science, technology and innovation are the shortest path, the vital factor for Vietnam to realize its aspiration for rapid, sustainable, inclusive and self-reliant development, becoming a high-income developed country by 2045. Science, technology and innovation are not only the driving force for economic growth, but also the foundation for building a safe, humane and prosperous digital Vietnam; a strategic tool to improve labor productivity, protect the environment, respond to climate change, and improve the quality of life of the people.

Illustration photo. (Source: Shutter Stock)

According to Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, to successfully implement this strategic goal, as the highest advisory body for the Party, National Assembly, and Government on Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Ministry of Science and Technology, together with the close coordination of ministries, branches, localities, and the participation of the whole society, needs to focus on synchronously implementing breakthrough tasks and solutions.

The Ministry of Science and Technology needs to urgently improve institutions, create a clear legal corridor, and unleash the maximum potential of science, technology and innovation. This is a key and urgent task.

The Ministry of Science and Technology needs to focus on reviewing and proposing comprehensive amendments to the 2013 Law on Science and Technology and its guiding documents in a breakthrough and superior direction, especially in terms of organizational, financial and human resource management mechanisms; boldly propose controlled testing mechanisms for new technologies and business models. Institutions must truly become a “bridge” and “lever” for science, technology and innovation. penetrate deeply and spread into all aspects of economic and social life.

Next, it is necessary to promote the restructuring of the national innovation system towards efficiency, closely linking the public and private sectors. It is necessary to truly put enterprises at the center of the innovation system and build universities and research institutes into strong, pioneering research entities. Promote links between research institutes, universities and enterprises to promote commercialization of research results and develop the science and technology market. Build an effective technology exchange.

The science and technology sector needs to focus on investing in basic research and mastering strategic, fundamental, and core technologies. The State needs to play the role of "seed investment", leading and focusing on building key laboratories, centers of excellence, and strong research groups in areas where Vietnam has potential and advantages, as well as new technology areas of national strategic significance such as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, and new energy. Support the development of national "Make in Vietnam" digital platforms with international competitiveness.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, there should be a breakthrough policy to attract, train, use and promote scientific and technological talents. This is the most valuable resource. There should be a suitable remuneration mechanism, a favorable working environment, and autonomy and responsibility for scientists, especially young scientists, scientists working in remote, border and island areas. It is necessary to promote the role of Vietnamese intellectuals abroad, and attract international experts to participate in domestic scientific and technological activities.

Next, it is necessary to strongly promote the application of science, technology and innovation in enterprises and socio-economic fields. Consider science, technology and innovation as vital factors for enterprises, as key tools to improve productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness, especially in the context of digital transformation and green transformation.

Ministries, sectors and localities need to actively implement programs and projects applying science, technology and innovation to solve major national problems, enhance governance capacity and improve the quality of public services.

It is necessary to promote science diplomacy, proactively integrate deeply into the international community in science, technology and innovation. Take advantage of the world's advanced knowledge and technology; actively participate in global research networks; gradually participate in building international rules and standards. Science diplomacy must be a manifestation of a country that knows how to listen with reason and dialogue with knowledge, bringing Vietnamese science to the world and bringing world knowledge to Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung and delegates visit the booth at the program "Vietnam Science and Technology Day May 18" in 2025. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung also noted the need to strengthen the role of Standards, Metrology and Quality as three strategic pillars. The Ministry of Science and Technology needs to closely coordinate with ministries and sectors to develop a modern TDC system, meeting integration requirements, protecting consumer rights, promoting productivity and quality of Vietnamese products and goods in the domestic and international markets. Standards, metrology and quality are not only management tools but must be a beacon leading innovation.

Finally, it is necessary to promote communication, arouse passion for science, and form a culture of innovation throughout society. Vietnam Science and Technology Day must truly become a national festival, where every citizen and every business can contribute to and enjoy the fruits of science, technology and innovation. It is necessary to promote more strongly the role and significance of science, technology and innovation, honor scientists, initiatives, and successful models, and motivate and inspire the younger generation.

At the end of his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister believed that we will achieve the strategic goals of scientific and technological innovation, bringing the country into a new era - the era of growth./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/pho-thu-tuong-chung-ta-co-quyen-tu-hao-ve-nhung-dong-gop-to-lon-cua-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-post1038956.vnp