Vietnam unifies national science and technology management according to international standards

On the morning of May 9, 2025 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) held a handover ceremony between the Office of State-level Key Programs, the Office of National Science and Technology Programs (NSTP) and the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development according to Decision No. 489/QD-BKHCN dated April 8, 2025 of the Minister of MOST. Comrade Bui The Duy, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of MOST, Chairman of the Management Board of the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development chaired the ceremony.

Bộ Khoa học và Công nghệ•09/05/2025

At the Ceremony, delegates performed the handover ceremony between units, demonstrating the high determination of the units in implementing the policy of the Ministry of Science and Technology on perfecting the organization and management of scientific research and technology development activities in Vietnam, innovating the science and technology funding mechanism to contribute to improving the country's science and technology capacity, innovation and digital transformation in the new development period.

Three units exchanged the Handover Minutes.

Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien and Mr. Pham Dinh Nguyen presented the Handover Minutes according to Decision No. 724/QD-BKHCN dated April 28, 2025 of the Minister of Science and Technology.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy emphasized that this is the first time Vietnam has unified all operating costs for national science and technology tasks into a single executive agency, the National Science and Technology Development Fund. Accordingly, the National Science and Technology Development Fund not only funds basic research, but also comprehensively undertakes applied research and production programs. This is a modern, internationally integrated task management model; creating favorable conditions for scientists to access resources, minimizing administrative procedures, increasing flexibility and efficiency in management work.

Deputy Minister Bui The Duy said that the capital for the Fund will increase sharply from 2025. To ensure the effective use of this large capital source, the management of the Fund must be associated with comprehensive digitalization and the application of artificial intelligence. Each topic and project will be closely monitored in terms of progress, costs, outputs and social impact. Topics showing signs of irregularities will be inspected and may be stopped immediately. The Fund will build a comprehensive database to monitor, evaluate and summarize lessons learned from both successful and unsuccessful topics.

In particular, the allocation of expenditures according to Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15 and Decree No. 88/2025/ND-CP of the Government will be thoroughly applied, creating conditions for project managers to be most proactive in using resources. However, scientists must also commit to quality and efficiency.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy gave a speech at the ceremony.

According to Deputy Minister Bui The Duy, the Fund will not only assume the role of domestic coordinator but also become a direct partner with science and technology funds around the world, gradually building a science funding system that meets international standards, aiming for efficiency, spread and long-term sustainability. This is a big step forward, enhancing Vietnam's position in the global science ecosystem.

Speaking at the reception of the assignment, Director of the Executive Agency of the National Science and Technology Development Fund Dao Ngoc Chien expressed his gratitude to the Ministry's leaders and pledged to make every effort to operate the Fund in the right direction, closely following the direction of the Minister and Deputy Minister. At the same time, ensuring compliance with the new trend, the spirit of Resolution 57 and the requirements for the country's science and technology development, thereby building the Fund according to a modern, transparent, effective model, providing the best support for the scientific community in organizing the implementation of national science and technology programs in the coming period; promoting the role of international connection, creating a synchronous and advanced innovation ecosystem.