With the goal of becoming a modern industrialized country by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045,
we must consider science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as key driving forces. This is the "golden key",
the vital factor to overcome the middle-income trap and the risk of falling behind, and at the same time realize the aspiration
of our nation to become strong and prosperous."
This was the affirmation of General Secretary To Lam at the National Conference on Breakthroughs in Science, Technology,
Innovation and National Digital Transformation, on January 13, 2025.
General Secretary To Lam's speech once again emphasized the policies of the Party and State of Vietnam that always highly
appreciate the important role of science, technology and engineering, considering it the key to the country's development;
at the same time, it also pointed out Vietnam's strategic orientation in the coming time, which is to develop science, technology,
innovation and digital transformation as a way of survival, a key political task.
Over the years, Vietnam has continuously supplemented and improved policies and strategies for science and technology development,
making science and technology the "top national policy", one of the "four pillars" for Vietnam to "take off."
Since 1986, when our Party initiated and led the renovation process, science and technology have become one of the most
important factors, contributing to the rapid and sustainable development of Vietnam.
From 2000 to present, science and technology have been strongly promoted through the institutionalization of the Party's
policies and guidelines into a complete legal system. In 2000, the Law on Science and Technology was issued, opening the
way for the development of specialized legal documents, such as the Law on Intellectual Property, the Law on Technology Transfer,
the Law on High Technology, etc.
In particular, the 2013 Constitution affirmed that the development of science and technology is a top national policy.
The 12th National Congress Document (2016) included science and technology in a separate section, emphasizing the role of science,
technology and innovation in the development of modern productive forces and knowledge-based economy.
From 2021, The Party continues to add the content of "innovation" as a strategic breakthrough factor. The 13th National Congress
Document (2021) emphasizes sustainable development based on the foundation of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.
And recently, on December 22, 2024, on behalf of the Politburo, General Secretary To Lam signed and issued Resolution
No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. In the spirit of the Resolution,
science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are considered the "backbone" of the modernization process,
contributing to the realization of the aspiration of making Vietnam a developed, high-income country.
Thanks to the policies of the Party and State, after nearly 40 years of innovation, Vietnam has achieved many outstanding
achievements in the fields of science, technology, innovation and high-quality human resource development, making an
important contribution to economic development. socio-economic of the country.
Major projects all bear the mark of science and technology, notably projects such as the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant,
the Son La Hydropower Plant, the 500 kV North-South Transmission Line, oil and gas projects and modern infrastructure
such as bridges, roads, airports, etc.
Along with that, total factor productivity (TFP) has grown strongly, contributing significantly to GDP. If in the 2001-2010 period,
TFP only reached 4.3%, then in the 2021-2023 period it reached 37.6%, and it is expected to reach about 42% in the 2021-2025 period.
Vietnam's Global Innovation Index (GII) has also been continuously improved. According to the Global Innovation Index Report 2024,
Vietnam ranked 44/133 countries and economies, up 2 places compared to 2010. 2023. In the ASEAN region, Vietnam ranks 4th
(after Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand).
In particular, in the outstanding results of industries and fields, it is possible to see the important contribution of science and technology.
Typically, in the agricultural sector, science and technology contribute over 30% of the added value in agricultural production,
38% in the production of plant and animal varieties. National product programs, high-tech agriculture, conservation and
sustainable use of genetic resources... have been effectively implemented, contributing to increasing export value and
improving farmers' lives.
In the health sector, Vietnam has mastered many modern technologies such as organ transplantation, stem cells,
vaccine and medical equipment production, and developed advanced treatment techniques, especially organ transplantation.
National defense and security have proactively researched, developed, and applied technology to modernize equipment;
built a National Data Center as a core platform to provide services on data, support policy making, turn data into important
production resources.
After issuing Resolution 57, the Politburo also established the Central Steering Committee on Science, Technology,
Innovation and Digital Transformation; with General Secretary To Lam directly as Head of the Steering Committee.
This affirms the highest determination of the Party and State in developing science, technology and digital transformation.
And just 20 days after the Politburo issued Resolution 57, the Government issued Resolution No. 03/NQ-CP on the
Government's Action Program to implement Resolution 57, contributing to achieving 8% growth in 2025, creating momentum,
creating position, creating force, creating momentum for the whole country to achieve double-digit growth in the coming time.
With the viewpoint of assigning "clear people, clear work, clear time, clear responsibility, clear products", the Government's
action program has set out 7 groups of tasks, solutions and 140 tasks of ministries, branches and localities to effectively
implement Resolution 57-NQ/TW.
In particular, the National Conference on Breakthroughs in Science, Technology, Innovation and National Digital Transformation
held on January 13, 2025 connected more than 15,000 points nationwide with more than 978,500 delegates attending.
The above events not only affirmed the strategic vision of the Party and State but also strongly inspired, aroused the spirit of
innovation and determination of the entire political system, the scientific community and the people.
General Secretary To Lam expressed his belief that with a solid political and legal foundation and high consensus from the
entire Party, people and intellectuals, the Resolution will create a breakthrough, contributing to socio-economic development
and ensuring national defense and security, bringing the country to continue its sustainable development.”./.
