Professor Phan Xuan Dung: Science and technology are the strength of the nation.

In an interview with the newspaper Tri Thuc va Cuoc Song (Knowledge and Life) on the occasion of Vietnam's Science , Technology and Innovation Day on May 18th, Dr. Phan Xuan Dung, President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), affirmed that science and technology are the strength of the nation, and the intellectual workforce is the core force of innovation.

The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations is a common home, bringing together a large number of scientific and technological intellectuals nationwide, contributing to promoting the development of science and technology and enhancing Vietnam's position on the international stage.

Prof. Dr. Phan Xuan Dung, President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations . Photo: Mai Loan.

Science and technology affirm the nation's position.

Professor Phan Xuan Dung stated that the practical development of the world has proven that the strength of a nation is always linked to its level of science and technology. Every victory of the country has the important contribution of the intellectuals, experts, and scientists who live and work for the Fatherland.

From a poor, underdeveloped country with limited international cooperation, Vietnam has risen to become a middle-income country, deeply integrated into the global economy and increasingly prominent on the international stage. Science and technology have played a particularly important role in this journey.

Many "Made in Vietnam" science and technology products have contributed to narrowing the gap with advanced countries, while enhancing Vietnam's prestige on the world science map. In particular, according to the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 report published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Vietnam ranks 44th out of 139 countries and economies.

"That is a great source of pride for the Vietnamese science and technology community," he said.

According to the President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, recently, the intellectual community nationwide has been particularly enthusiastic about the profound attention given by the Party and the State to science and technology and the intellectual community.

This is demonstrated through a series of important milestones such as Resolution No. 45-NQ/TW dated November 24, 2023, of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam on continuing to build and promote the role of the intellectual workforce; Conclusion No. 57-KL/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation; along with many resolutions, mechanisms, and policies issued by the National Assembly and the Government to promote the development of science and technology.

"Not only in terms of guidelines and policies, but the Party and State leaders also directly meet with, encourage, and direct scientific and technological activities and the team of scientists nationwide," shared Dr. Phan Xuan Dung.

Mr. Dung believes that identifying science and technology as a strength and a productive force in socio-economic development has created an important foundation for intellectuals to confidently dedicate themselves to their work. Policies that value talent, improve the working environment, and enhance the quality of human resource training are creating strong motivation for the scientific community.

Scientific and technological intellectuals must be the leading force in innovation.

Besides the attention and investment from the Party and the State, Dr. Phan Xuan Dung believes that the scientific and technological intellectual workforce is also facing immense demands in the context of the rapidly unfolding Fourth Industrial Revolution.

"The Party and the State require the scientific and technological intellectual workforce to be the leading force and core of innovation so that the country can develop faster and more sustainably," he emphasized.

According to him, global science and technology are developing at an unprecedented pace, rapidly changing every aspect of social life. Things previously unknown to humanity are now present, transforming thinking, perceptions, and development methods. The main foundation of this change is innovation.

To develop science and technology, we need a good workforce and good investment. Although Vietnam's science and technology workforce has developed strongly in both quantity and quality in recent years, there are still many difficulties and challenges to overcome.

In this context, the intellectual community needs to further promote the spirit of innovation, creativity, and boldness in thinking and acting, transforming difficulties into driving forces for development.

"Let's turn what we haven't been able to achieve in the past into reality in the future, in this era of national progress. With Vietnamese intelligence and qualities, nothing is impossible," he expressed.

According to Dr. Phan Xuan Dung, scientific and technological intellectuals are an invaluable force for the nation and the Party. After 43 years of building and development, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations has increasingly affirmed the position and role of the country's scientific and technological intellectual workforce.

Currently, VUSTA is one of 29 mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State at the central level; it has 126 member associations, including 92 national industry associations and 34 provincial and city federations of associations; it has 575 science and technology organizations with approximately 3.7 million members, of which more than 2.2 million are intellectuals, accounting for about 32.5% of the country's intellectuals.

According to the VUSTA President, the Vietnamese scientific and technological intellectual workforce has always had unwavering faith in the Party's leadership, is dedicated to contributing to the building and protection of the Fatherland, and helps to strengthen the alliance of workers, farmers, and intellectuals.

VUSTA has also effectively served as a bridge between its member associations and the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front; actively participating in consultation, critical analysis, scientific research, knowledge dissemination, and the socialization of science and technology activities.

Proud of Vietnam's intellectual traditions, aspiring for breakthroughs.

Professor Phan Xuan Dung expressed his respect for many generations of great scientists of the country such as Professor, Academician, Major General, Labor Hero Tran Dai Nghia; Professor Dang Thai Mai; Professor Bui Huy Dap; Professor Ha Hoc Trac; Professor, Academician Vu Tuyen Hoang; Professor, Doctor of Science Dang Vu Minh…

"They have not only contributed to Vietnam but also to the world's science and technology, bringing glory to Vietnamese intellectuals and enhancing Vietnam's prestige on the international stage," he expressed his pride.

According to Dr. Phan Xuan Dung, under the leadership of the Party, there has been an increasing trend of entrepreneurs who are also exemplary inventors and scientists, such as Labor Hero Tran Manh Bao of ThaiBinh Seed; Labor Hero Nguyen Quang Mau of Dat Viet Ceramic Group; Labor Hero Nguyen Nhu So of Dabaco; Labor Hero Hoang Duc Thao of Busadco; Labor Hero, Professor, Doctor Nguyen Anh Tri of MELATEC…

"Their projects have built brands, helping businesses and the country to develop together," he shared.

Over the years, VUSTA has effectively implemented many important national programs and projects; organized conferences to gather opinions from intellectuals before National Assembly sessions; and prepared critical reports and policy recommendations for central agencies.

In particular, the socialization of science and technology has been intensified to quickly bring research results into practical life, attract young intellectuals, and mobilize international resources. This is a very correct policy of the Party, which has yielded great results and needs to be further promoted.

In addition, the movement for technical innovation, science and technology awards, and technical innovation competitions have spread widely, becoming a patriotic emulation movement among scientists and throughout society.

Thousands of innovative technical projects and solutions have been effectively applied to production and daily life, saving the country trillions of dong. Many solutions have won awards domestically and internationally, earning the admiration of the international community for the ingenuity of the Vietnamese people.

For its significant contributions, VUSTA has been recognized by the Party and the State with many prestigious awards, including the Ho Chi Minh Order; many collectives and individuals have been awarded the Independence Order, the Labor Order, and the title of Hero of Labor during the đổi mới (renovation) period.

On the occasion of Vietnam Science, Technology and Innovation Day, the Chairman of the Vietnam Association expressed great expectations for the country's intellectual workforce in the new phase of national development.

Recalling the words of the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's meeting with Vietnamese intellectuals: "Vietnamese intellectuals are the ones who bring prosperity to the country, glory to the nation, and honor to the race," he expressed his belief: "Fire tests gold, hardship tests strength. We will certainly overcome challenges and achieve breakthrough developments."

According to Professor Phan Xuan Dung, in the coming time, VUSTA will continue to strengthen solidarity and gather intellectuals both domestically and internationally; coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology, other ministries and agencies, research institutes, universities, and domestic and international science and technology organizations to promote research, application, and transfer of scientific and technological advancements into life.

"The Vietnamese scientific and technological intellectual workforce will continue to strive to contribute to creating significant changes, progress, and development for the country in the new era," affirmed Dr. Phan Xuan Dung.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/tskh-phan-xuan-dung-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-la-suc-manh-cua-dat-nuoc-post2149100641.html