Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam urges scientific-technological breakthroughs for national development
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said at working session with the Ministry of Science and Technology on April 13 that breakthroughs in science-technology are needed for the country to gain speed in development.
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said atworking session with the Ministr🃏y of Science and Technology on April 13 that breakthroughsin science-technology are needed for the country to gain speed in development.
He said there are many things that need to be done to turnscience-technology into the driver and a source of power of the economy, butthe first task is to digitalise and use information technology to enable connectivityin management. Obstacles in financial mechanism should also be removed, theDeputy PM added. Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat affirmed thatthe ministry will continue to work with relevant agencies to build specific mechanismsfor developing science-technology. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh reportedat the meeting that science and technology has contributed greatly to nationaldevelopment, as seen in the growing contribution of the total factorproductivity (TFP) to national economic growth, from an average 33.6 percent inthe 2011-2015 period to 45.2 percent in the 2016-2020. The country’s GlobalInnovation Index (GII) was ranked 42nd among 131 countries and territories,third in ASEAN and topped the group of nations with the same level of income. The country has begun to form an innovative startup ecology witharound 3,000 innovative startups, which attracted approximately 1 billion USDof investment in the past two consecutive years. Investment in science-technology now comes from both the Statebudget (52 percent) and businesses (48 percent) instead of relying entirely onthe State like 10 years ago./.
The northern province of Bac Giang will focus on investment in research and the application of science and technology to serve local socio-economic development in the time to come, according to the provincial People’s Committee.
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) and the People’s Committee of Bac Giang province have recently held a conference in Bac Giang city to review the five-year implementation of a programme on supporting the application and transfer of scientific and technological advances to boost socio-economic development in the rural, mountainous and ethnic-inhabited areas in the 2016-2025 period.
Vietnam is working to realise its goal of being listed in Top 4 in ASEAN and Top 50 of the world in terms in artificial intelligence (AI) research, development and application by 2030.
The Prime Minister has approved a project on developing the agricultural biotechnology industry to 2030 with the aim of optimising the country’s potential in researching, applying, and mastering advanced biotechnologies in the agricultural sector.
Vietnam has entered into a partnership with the Republic of Korea (RoK)'s biggest internet company as part of a national strategy that seeks to transform the Southeast Asian country into a global player in artificial intelligence by the start of the next decade.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
