Dissemination of new provisions in Laws and Decrees

Vice President of VUSTA Pham Quang Thao and Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation Le Cong Luong co-chairing the workshop

Five new foundational Laws

In his opening remarks at the workshop, VUSTA Vice President Pham Quang Thao emphasized that 2025 marks a particularly significant period for the country’s development in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Shortly after the merger of the Ministry of Science and Technology with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the newly consolidated ministry secured National Assembly approval for five foundational laws. These include the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation (2025); the Law on the Digital Technology Industry; and amended laws on Product and Goods Quality, Standards and Technical Regulations, and Atomic Energy. Together, these laws form a modern and coherent legal framework, enabling science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation to become new drivers of economic growth.

The workshop focused on introducing key new provisions of the laws and their implementing decrees; disseminating Decree No. 262/2025/ND-CP on information, statistics, evaluation, and digital transformation in the field of science, technology, and innovation; updating orientations related to the management of foreign aid; providing guidance on emulation and commendation work; and presenting draft criteria for the classification of sectoral associations and science and technology organizations. The workshop also allocated time for participants to exchange views and engage in discussions.

Vice President of VUSTA Pham Quang Thao delivering the opening remarks

Clear legal framework for innovative startups

According to the Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of VUSTA, Le Cong Luong, the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025 was officially passed by the National Assembly on June 27, 2025, marking a major turning point in the renewal of governance thinking and the development of Vietnam’s science and technology ecosystem. Comprising seven chapters and 73 articles, the 2025 Law is more streamlined than the 2013 version and demonstrates a strong shift from an administrative management model toward a facilitative, empowerment-based, and innovation-driven approach.

For the first time, “innovation” is formally incorporated into the Law and placed on an equal footing with science and technology, reflecting its increasingly important role in economic growth. The Law redesigns its structure to integrate digital technologies, promote the development of science and technology enterprises, accelerate the commercialization of research outcomes, strengthen intellectual property protection, and enhance international cooperation.

One of the most significant changes is the shift from input-based management to results-based management, with greater acceptance of risk in research activities. The Law also establishes a strategic orientation toward mastering key and strategic technologies, rather than merely purchasing and using them as in the past. Accordingly, the State will focus investment on priority tasks, emphasizing research infrastructure, high-quality human resources, and flexible financial mechanisms.

Enterprises are identified as the core of the innovation ecosystem. The Law allows enterprises to hold ownership of research outcomes funded by the State budget, grants corporate income tax exemptions for innovation-related activities, permits deductions for research and development (R&D) expenditures, and introduces controlled pilot mechanisms for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, fintech, and biotechnology. It also establishes a clear legal framework for the innovative startup ecosystem and expands access to resources for non-public science and technology organizations.

Notably, the 2025 Law, for the first time, stipulates that authors are entitled to a minimum of 30 percent of profits derived from the commercialization of research outcomes; introduces scientific integrity as a standalone provision; and codifies the regulatory sandbox mechanism for controlled experimentation. With these changes, the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025 is widely regarded as an “institutional springboard” for a new phase of development in Vietnam’s knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.

Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of VUSTA Le Cong Luong

Ten criteria for evaluating science and technology organizations

At the workshop, the Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of VUSTA, Tran Xuan Viet, presented a summary of the draft regulation on criteria for the assessment and classification of science and technology (S&T) organizations under VUSTA.

According to him, the draft regulation aims to establish objective and transparent criteria and assessment methods in order to promote and enhance the operational quality of S&T organizations.

The regulation applies to research, development, and application units affiliated with VUSTA, including institutes, centers, offices, and unions. The assessment process is required to ensure feasibility and fairness, combining both quantitative and qualitative evaluation. The results will serve as a basis for classification, emulation and commendation, support measures, as well as policy and personnel adjustments.

The evaluation system has a total score of 100 points. The proposed criteria groups and their respective weights are as follows: compliance with VUSTA regulations and the law, and internal unity (18%); scientific research outcomes (15%); results in applying new technologies, transferring technical advances, and providing science and technology consultancy services (15%); finance, resources, and infrastructure (12%); human resources (8%); information and communication systems, and knowledge dissemination (7%); international cooperation (7%); spreading positive values and contributing to policy feedback (7%); participation in VUSTA’s collective activities (5%); and internal training and capacity-building (5%).

The evaluation process includes: self-assessment by the organization (with supporting documentation); annual or periodic assessments by the governing authority (VUSTA) over a 3-5 year cycle; and external assessment by independent experts during the 3-5 year cycle.

Evaluation results will be classified from unsatisfactory to excellent. VUSTA will publish the results and collect feedback from the evaluated organization prior to public disclosure, according to Mr. Tran Xuan Viet.

Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of VUSTA Tran Xuan Viet

Facilitating international cooperation activities

Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of VUSTA, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, presented key updates in draft legal documents concerning foreign aid and the organization of international conferences and workshops. These drafts are intended to replace Decree 80/2020/ND-CP and Decision 60/2020/QD-TTg, aiming to streamline procedures, clarify responsibilities, and enhance management efficiency.

Regarding foreign aid, the new draft decree specifies which types of support are excluded from regulation, including research cooperation contracts that do not constitute aid. Project documentation has been simplified, eliminating the need for notarized translations, and responsibilities between managing agencies and project owners are clearly defined. Projects with aid values of USD 300,000 or higher, or those involving counterpart funding from the state budget, require consultation with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Finance.

For international conferences and workshops, the draft decision adds exemptions for events such as government-led conferences, internal meetings, or approved educational activities. The approval procedure has been shortened, with a maximum review period of 21 working days for conferences requiring Prime Ministerial reporting, and only nine days for other cases.

“These changes reflect efforts to promote decentralization, strengthen accountability of project owners and organizing units, and create more favorable conditions for international cooperation activities in Vietnam,” said Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen.

Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of VUSTA Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen

Lively discussions clarify new regulations

The discussion session attracted numerous contributions from representatives of VUSTA member associations and affiliated science and technology organizations. Questions focused on conditions for recognition as a science and technology organization under Decree 262; regulations regarding key personnel; the level of autonomy for units after registration; the timeline for annual evaluations; and procedures for receiving international aid under the new regulatory framework.

Many participants praised the thorough preparation of the Organizing Committee and emphasized the practical value of the information presented, noting that it will help organizations adjust their operational models promptly for 2025 and the years ahead.

In his concluding remarks, the Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of VUSTA, Le Cong Luong, expressed sincere thanks to all attendees, including representatives from central ministries and agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, scientists, and experts. He highlighted that VUSTA currently brings together a strong intellectual community with 34 local unions, 93 national sectoral associations, and nearly 600 affiliated science and technology organizations. Every year, this network undertakes numerous advisory, research, critique, and knowledge dissemination tasks.

He emphasized that timely and comprehensive updates on new legal documents are essential for member associations and affiliated organizations to enhance operational efficiency and ensure compliance with regulations.

VUSTA urged its member associations and affiliated science and technology organizations to promptly review their operational conditions, complete their legal documentation in accordance with the new Law and Decree, and actively share information and provide feedback on the draft evaluation criteria, which are expected to be issued in the first quarter of 2026.