President of the central committe of the viet nam fatherland front: five key tasks for vusta’s new term
President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Bùi Thị Minh Hoài called on VUSTA to focus on five key tasks, harness the intellectual capacity of its members and drive breakthroughs during the new term.
The 9th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) for the 2026-2031 Term held its plenary session in Hanoi on the morning of 28 August. In her address to the Congress, Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài, Politburo Member, Communist Party of Viet Nam’s Central Committee Secretary, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organisations, and President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, affirmed that the Congress was an event of political significance, marking a new stage in VUSTA’s development and serving as a forum to honour and connect the finest minds of Viet Nam’s science and technology community.
Underscoring the role of the science and technology intellectual community, the President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front requested VUSTA to focus on excecuting five key groups of tasks and solutions.
Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài, Politburo Member,CommunistParty of Viet Nam’s Central Committee Secretary, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organisations, and President of theCentral Committee of theViet Nam Fatherland Front. Photo: Thiên Anh.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTELLECTUALS: A VALUABLE NATIONAL ASSET
Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài affirmed that intellectuals in general, and science and technology intellectuals in particular, are a valuable national asset. Throughout the leadership of the Vietnamese Revolution, the Communist Party of Viet Nam has consistently recognised the important role of intellectuals. The intellectual community has made practical contributions, alongside all classes and sectors of society, to the country’s achievements under the Party’s leadership.
The National Strategy for Developing the Intellectual Community during the Period of Accelerated Industrialisation and Modernisation to 2030, with a Vision to 2045, affirms that “developing the intellectual community is a regular and long-term task of the Party and State, of leaders at all levels and of the intellectual community itself; it is a strategic investment that requires a long-term vision and alignment with national development strategies”.
As a mass organisation entrusted with responsibilities by the Party and State, VUSTA has effectively fulfilled its assigned political tasks in recent years.
During the 8th Term, VUSTA and the science and technology intellectual community achieved comprehensive results and made significant contributions across a wide range of fields.
VUSTA and its member organisations have taken a more proactive approach to consultancy, scientific review and social appraisal, serving as an important, independent and objective channel for advising the Party, National Assembly, Government and local authorities on thousands of programmes, schemes and socio-economic development projects.
The science and technology intellectual community has also played a leading role in research, application and technology transfer, with scientific and technological advances contributing to fields ranging from high-tech agriculture, supporting industries and clean energy to healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, and national defence and security.
VUSTA has also played a key role in disseminating knowledge and recognising scientific talent. Through seminars, publications, scientific awards, technical innovation contests, and innovation competitions for young people and children, VUSTA has helped foster interest in science and promote a culture of innovation.
As a responsible member of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, VUSTA has contributed to strengthening the great national unity bloc, while mobilising, bringing together and promoting the intellectual potential of Vietnamese intellectuals at home and abroad.
CONFRONTING SHORTCOMINGS FOR BREAKTHROUGH RENOVATION
Alongside its achievements, VUSTA still faced a number of limitations during the previous term, particularly in organisational work, task implementation and coordination, President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Bùi Thị Minh Hoài noted.
“I agree with the review and self-criticism presented to the Congress and will not repeat them here. In a frank and responsible spirit, I urge the Congress to examine in depth both the objective and subjective causes, draw profound lessons from experience, and take timely action to address shortcomings and limitations, improve effectiveness, and substantially renew the content and methods of operation in the next term,” Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài emphasised.
She noted that the country is entering a new historical phase of development, with strategic goals for 2030 and a vision to 2045.
To achieve the two centenary goals in the thriving era, Viet Nam cannot continue along a growth path based primarily on natural resources and low-cost labour.
“The aspiration for national advancement can only be realised through science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation. These are decisive drivers and the most advanced productive forces, shaping the country’s overall strength in the new era,” Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài stated.
She noted that the Party Central Committee, Politburo and Party Central Committee Secretariat have issued a number of strategic resolutions to realise the country’s development aspirations, including Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated 22 December 2024 on breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation, and Resolution No. 45-NQ/TW dated 24 November 2023 on continuing to build and promote the role of the intellectual community in meeting the requirements for rapid and sustainable national development in the new period.
“These are two highly important strategic policy documents, reflecting the Party’s breakthrough thinking and high expectations for science and technology in general and the intellectual community in particular,” Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài said.
Against this backdrop, she said, the VUSTA system – as the organisation representing the voice of the country’s scientific community – carries a substantial responsibility.
The new Executive Committee and the entire VUSTA system, from the central to local levels, must fully recognise this context and clearly define their political responsibilities to the Party and the people. They must proactively provide policy advice and proposals and work directly with ministries, sectors and authorities at all levels to address the practical development challenges facing the country and localities.
FIVE KEY TASKS FOR THE 9TH TERM
To realise the specific goals and targets set by the Congress, Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài called on VUSTA to focus on five key groups of tasks and solutions.
First, further strengthen its role as a political bridge and create an enabling environment for intellectuals to pursue creative work. According to President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Bùi Thị Minh Hoài, the VUSTA Party Committee must strengthen its role as the political core by thoroughly disseminating the resolutions of the Party, the Politburo, the Party Central Committee Secretariat, the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organisations, as well as those of the VUSTA Congress, among Party members, association members and intellectuals.
“VUSTA must be a trusted place where intellectuals can voice their thoughts and aspirations; proactively advise and make proposals to the Party and State on improving institutions, policies and laws to unlock creative potential, respect independence and objectivity, and uphold freedom in scientific research; and establish appropriate mechanisms to recognise and reward outstanding contributions by intellectuals,” Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài said.
Second, accelerate comprehensive digital transformation across the system and build a nationally interconnected digital ecosystem. Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài welcomed the target of developing the “VUSTA Digital Ecosystem”. “I strongly support and welcome the target of developing the ‘VUSTA Digital Ecosystem’. This should not merely be a modern management tool, but a platform connecting all 126 member associations and affiliated science and technology organisations,” she said.
In particular, she called for the urgent study and development of a “National Database of Science and Technology Experts and Intellectuals – VUSTA Global”. According to her, this would provide an effective platform for mobilising and attracting intellectual resources, including young intellectuals, researchers at institutes and universities, experts in major private economic groups, and, in particular, tens of thousands of Vietnamese intellectuals overseas who wish to contribute to their homeland and country.
Third, improve the quality and breakthrough potential of consultancy, scientific review and social appraisal. The President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front noted that the Congress had set a target of increasing by 15% the number of consultancy, scientific review and social appraisal assignments relating to programmes and projects of the Party and State.
To achieve this target, she called on VUSTA to fundamentally renew its approach to scientific review. “Review opinions must be grounded in scientific evidence, independent and objective, highly practical and forward-looking, in order to support and advise policy-making bodies, particularly in emerging economic fields such as the night-time economy, silver economy, circular economy and green economy, thereby contributing to sustainable socio-economic development,” Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài emphasised.
Fourth, step up applied research and science and technology transfer. She stressed the need to narrow the gap between laboratory research, production and the market. “You need to provide strong support for the commercialisation of solutions that have won VIFOTEC awards. Proactively establish close links with ministries, sectors and local authorities to bid for and undertake public services commissioned by the Government and authorities at all levels, particularly in vocational training, technical knowledge dissemination, biotechnology transfer, high-tech agriculture and environmental protection. This is the pathway to strengthening the sustainable financial autonomy of associations at all levels,” Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài said.
Fifth, substantially renew approaches to mobilising young intellectuals and strengthen international cooperation. Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài called on VUSTA to substantially renew its personnel policies and create favourable conditions for outstanding young scientists to participate in VUSTA’s leadership structure. “At the same time, VUSTA must proactively organise international-level scientific events and host forums on cutting-edge technologies, such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and biotechnology. This will help position VUSTA not only as a domestic bridge, but also as a knowledge bridge connecting Viet Nam with leading scientific centres around the world,” Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài emphasised.
KEEPING THE FLAME OF PASSION AND CREATIVITY ALIVE
On the occasion of the Congress, on behalf of the Party and State leadership, President of the Central Committe of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Bùi Thị Minh Hoài congratulated the delegates elected by the Congress to the Executive Committee, as well as those subsequently elected by the Executive Committee to the leadership of VUSTA for the 9th Term, 2026-2031.
She called on the new leadership to uphold solidarity and intellectual excellence, lead VUSTA to fulfil its tasks with distinction, and resolutely deliver on the Congress’s guiding motto: “Unity – Innovation – Breakthrough – Development”.
“I call on every scientist and every science and technology intellectual in Viet Nam to keep the flame of passion and creativity alive, and to continue learning, researching, taking on challenges and devoting themselves to building a strong and prosperous Viet Nam. The Party, State and Viet Nam Fatherland Front will always stand alongside you, listen to you and create the best possible conditions for you to contribute your intellectual capacity to the country,” Ms Bùi Thị Minh Hoài affirmed.
She also wished VUSTA continued strength and development and expressed her best wishes for the success of the 9th National Congress.
