Proud to 'Make in Vietnam'

(PLVN) - In the month of April, when the red of the national flag covers the streets, memories of the historic April 30th come alive in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. It is not only a milestone of victory, independence, and unification, but also a symbol of the nation's unwavering will to "never surrender"...

2026, a pivotal year for national strategic movement.

More than half a century after the reunification of the country, that spirit has not faded, but has transformed into a new form in the era of peace: the aspiration for development, the aspiration for self-mastery, and the aspiration for intellectual advancement. If in war we triumphed through indomitable patriotism and the strength of unity, then in peacetime, the path ahead is opened by science , technology, and innovation. And in that flow, "Make in Vietnam" is emerging as a new symbol of national spirit in the digital age.

At the strategic level, "Make in Vietnam" represents an inevitable shift: from a growth model based on processing and assembly to mastering technology, design, and markets. It represents products born from the intellect and ingenuity of Vietnamese people, gradually establishing Vietnamese brands.

2026 is identified as a pivotal year, when Vietnam shifts its focus from institutional reform to implementation in the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, with very specific goals: every task must be measured by its output. This shows a fundamental shift from "policymaking" to "results-making," from "orientation" to "implementation." This is the crucial foundation for "Make in Vietnam" to transcend mere slogans and become a central theme in the national development strategy.

The targets set are very high: 100% of administrative work files are processed electronically; at least 80% of eligible administrative procedures are provided online throughout; and 70% of the population has 5G coverage. The "one-time delivery" principle continues to be promoted, helping to reduce costs and time for businesses.

The 2026 plan aims to commercialize at least five strategic technology products such as semiconductor chips, 5G network equipment, industrial robots, artificial intelligence, and UAVs. Simultaneously, at least 15% of the science budget will be allocated to research on core technologies. This forms the foundation for the "Make in Vietnam" initiative to shift from "being able to produce" to "mastering" the technology.

A key focus is the development of an innovative startup ecosystem. The goal of increasing the number of startups by 30% and forming 30-50 spin-off businesses demonstrates a clear direction in linking research with the market.

In particular, the "one-person enterprise" model is being piloted, opening up opportunities for individuals to participate in the startup ecosystem. Along with this, innovation centers in Hanoi , Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, along with a sandbox mechanism, will help shorten the gap from idea to product. This is a crucial step towards realizing the goal of having one in ten people starting their own business by 2045.

One effective approach is the "three-way" linkage: the State, educational institutions, and businesses. This model helps connect research, training, and production, creating a closed value chain. Projects in the fields of UAVs, AI, and digital space are being implemented in this direction, demonstrating the potential to significantly shorten the time from idea to product. In the "Make in Vietnam" ecosystem, technology companies are identified as the central force. Names like Viettel,FPT , VNPT, and Bkav are playing leading roles in many strategic technology fields.

Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang, Chairman and CEO of Viettel Group, stated that Viettel is committed to mastering core technologies, from 5G and semiconductor chips to aerospace technology. These technologies not only serve economic development but also contribute to national defense and security.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa, General Director of FPT Group, said that FPT is focusing on developing artificial intelligence products, large-scale Vietnamese language models, and virtual assistants, with the aim of linking research with practical problems.

The reality shows that Vietnamese businesses are making significant progress in mastering technology. Some businesses have mastered 65-85% of core technologies in fields such as AI cameras, 5G networks, and UAVs. In the field of artificial intelligence, many businesses have invested in thousands of GPUs (graphics processing units with very powerful parallel computing capabilities, widely used in artificial intelligence) to develop large-scale Vietnamese language models. This not only helps reduce dependence on foreign technology but also creates products suitable for the Vietnamese language and culture.

Affirming Vietnam's position in the digital age

Furthermore, from domestic science awards like the Golden Globe and VIFOTEC to global awards like VinFuture, Vietnam is gradually transforming itself into a pioneering force in the international science and technology ecosystem. This is the clearest manifestation of the "Make in Vietnam" spirit in the field of knowledge, where value is measured not only by products but also by the ability to contribute to humanity.

Viettel proudly displays its military equipment during the parade in Ba Dinh Square to celebrate National Day on September 2nd, 2025. (Photo: Viettel)

For those born in 1975, the year of national reunification, April 30th is not only a historical milestone but also a part of their memories and a driving force in life. Mr. Nguyen Tu Quang, Chairman of Bkav Technology Group, is one of those who embody this spirit.

He shared that national pride and a sense of responsibility towards the country were nurtured by war stories passed down from his family and teachers. This has shaped a lasting belief: that Vietnamese people are fully capable of mastering technology and competing fairly with the world.

Since the 1990s, when it began developing antivirus software, Bkav has faced competition from international giants. But instead of feeling inferior, they chose to confront the challenges. In fact, many products developed by Vietnamese engineers not only keep pace with but also solve problems that foreign software struggles with.

April 30, 1975, was a victory of willpower and patriotism. But in today's era, the "battlefield" is a competition of technology, knowledge, and creative capacity. Mr. Nguyen Tu Quang believes that every line of code written by Vietnamese engineers, every technological product bearing the Vietnamese mark that is brought to the world, is a way of paying tribute to previous generations.

That belief is not just sentiment. In fact, it has been proven that Vietnamese people are fully capable of leading the global technology landscape. The contributions of Vietnamese scientists to major projects in artificial intelligence, big data, and other areas are gradually affirming Vietnam's intellectual standing on the world map.

More importantly, today's younger generation is different: more confident, more proactive, and more aware of their own worth. While in the past, they were "talented but didn't know they were talented," today, Vietnamese people know where they stand and how far they can go.

And most importantly, the "Make in Vietnam" initiative brings not just products or technology, but a shift in development thinking. Vietnam is moving from the position of "technology user" to "technology creator," from "following behind" to "co-piloting," and gradually towards "leading" in some areas.

Of course, the road ahead still presents many challenges: high-quality human resources, fundamental research capabilities, standards systems, and the ability to accumulate technology in the long term remain difficult problems. But with the foundations already established, along with political will and the involvement of businesses, "Make in Vietnam" has the opportunity to become an effective industrial policy tool.

If in war we triumphed through patriotism and unity, then in peacetime we conquer the future with intelligence and creativity. And that journey, the "Make in Vietnam" journey, is the next chapter in the Vietnamese story: a story that never stops being written, fueled by the faith, resilience, and aspirations for national strength of the Vietnamese people.

From the heroic spirit of April 30th to today's technological advancements, a common thread runs: the self-reliance, indomitable will, and aspiration for progress of the Vietnamese people. "Make in Vietnam" – a new driving force for growth stemming from science, technology, and the desire for self-mastery.

“Make in Vietnam” is not just an industrial development strategy, but also an expression of a new vision: to transform Vietnam from a participant in the global value chain into a leading nation in several sectors. With the goal of ranking among the top 40 countries in innovation and developing technology unicorns by 2030, Vietnam is gradually positioning itself on the world technology map.

Building upon the foundation of digital transformation, the startup ecosystem, and mastery of core technologies, the "Make in Vietnam" journey is opening up a new development space where Vietnamese intelligence becomes the central resource and innovation becomes the driving force for sustainable growth. This is not just an economic strategy, but also an answer to the aspirations of a nation striving for advancement in the digital age.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/tu-hao-make-in-vietnam.html