Review of 2025 activities of affiliated science and technology organizations: Notable achievements amid challenges

The conference took place in a particularly significant context, as the entire VUSTA system entered the first year of implementing a series of major policies and guidelines of the Party and the State, requiring strong innovation in mindset, management approaches, and organizational operations.

Attending the conference were VUSTA President Phan Xuan Dung; members of the Standing Committee of the VUSTA Presidium; and leaders of the VUSTA Office and specialized departments. The conference was also attended by representatives of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication and Mass Mobilization; the Ministry of Home Affairs; the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; the Ministry of Science and Technology; Department A03 of the Ministry of Public Security; along with delegates representing 570 science and technology organizations affiliated with VUSTA.

Delegates attending the conference

Overview of the conference

Strategic vision for science and technology organizations

VUSTA President Phan Xuan Dung delivers the opening remarks

In his opening remarks, VUSTA President Phan Xuan Dung emphasized that 2025 is a pivotal year not only for the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, but also for the country’s entire science, technology, and innovation system. It marks the first year of implementation of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation - a strategic resolution that clearly identifies science and technology as the key driving force for national development in the new era.

According to President Phan Xuan Dung, alongside preparations for the promulgation and implementation of several important laws such as the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, the Law on Digital Technology Industry, and the Law on Artificial Intelligence, science and technology organizations affiliated with VUSTA are facing major opportunities as well as significant pressure to innovate. He stressed that in order to affirm their role and position, these organizations “cannot follow old paths, but must proactively adapt, enhance their research capacity, policy advisory and critical review functions, and expand services to the community.”

Proactive, decisive, and effective leadership driving system-wide momentum

Presenting the report on 2025 operational results and on the leadership, management, and support provided by the Standing Committee of the VUSTA Presidium to affiliated science and technology organizations, VUSTA Secretary-General Nguyen Quyet Chien stated that, amid the simultaneous implementation of major initiatives, such as organizational streamlining under Resolution No. 18 and comprehensive reform requirements under Resolution No. 57, the Standing Committee of the Presidium has maintained a high level of focus on leadership, coordination, and support for affiliated science and technology organizations.

VUSTA Secretary-General Nguyen Quyet Chien presenting the report at the conference

A key highlight was the renewal of management methods and the modernization of administrative processes, alongside the strong promotion of digital transformation across the entire system. At the same time, VUSTA took firm action to restructure and consolidate its organizational network, providing guidance for the reorganization of hundreds of affiliated units, and dissolving organizations that were underperforming or operating inefficiently. Notably, 2025 marked the first time that VUSTA developed a set of criteria for evaluating and classifying its affiliated science and technology organizations. This initiative has laid a transparent foundation for management, emulation and commendation, and long-term development orientation. The results achieved in 2025 clearly demonstrate the proactive spirit, strong sense of responsibility, and considerable efforts made by the entire VUSTA system. This serves as an important premise for the community of science and technology intellectuals to confidently enter a new stage of national development.

A bright overall picture reflected through telling figures

Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation Le Cong Luong presenting his report at the conference

From a professional perspective, Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation Le Cong Luong presented a comprehensive overview of the activities of affiliated science and technology organizations in 2025, supported by updated and specific data.

According to the report, nearly 500 units submitted activity reports, of which around 300 did so on time, demonstrating a clear improvement in compliance awareness and professionalism in organizational governance. Scientific and technological activities continued to be strongly socialized, with the proportion of non-state funding sources steadily increasing. Affiliated organizations implemented hundreds of applied research projects, organized numerous scientific conferences, published international academic papers, and expanded international cooperation at a scale and level of effectiveness unmatched in recent years.

Mr. Le Cong Luong emphasized that in the “era of national advancement,” science and technology organizations must proactively renew themselves, strengthen linkages with enterprises, local authorities, and international partners to mobilize social resources, and affirm their role as a pioneering force in knowledge development and community service.

Dissemination of new regulations governing science and technology activities

Mr. Nguyen Viet Thang, Director of the Office for Registration of Science and Technology Activities, speaking at the conference

At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Viet Thang, Director of the Registration Office of Science and Technology Activities, updated participants on key new provisions of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation and Government Decree No. 262/2025/ND-CP. According to Mr. Thang, the new regulations clearly reflect an orientation toward standardization and greater transparency in the operation of science and technology organizations. Notably, the regulations introduce a shift from the “Certificate of Registration for Science and Technology Activities” to the “Certificate of Registration for Science and Technology Organizations,” along with a roadmap for re-registration of existing entities. In addition, the linkage between registered fields of operation and training discipline codes, together with enhanced incentives for organizations possessing core technological capabilities, is expected to create a more enabling legal environment. At the same time, these changes place higher demands on science and technology organizations to proactively strengthen governance capacity and meet new standards in the next stage of development.

Refining development “benchmarks” for science and technology organizations

Mr. Tran Xuan Viet, Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation, speaking at the conference

Also at the conference, Mr. Tran Xuan Viet, Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation, presented the draft set of criteria for evaluating and classifying science and technology organizations affiliated with VUSTA. The criteria are intended not only to support emulation and commendation activities, but more importantly to serve as a standardized benchmark enabling affiliated organizations to assess their own capacities, identify strengths and weaknesses, and adjust development strategies accordingly. The criteria framework is designed to be objective and quantitative, covering organizational structure, human resources, finance, professional activities, innovation, and cooperation. It is expected to be finalized and promulgated in 2026.

International cooperation highlights and a more enabling policy framework

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation, speaking at the conference

In 2025, VUSTA’s international cooperation in science and technology was dynamic and left a strong positive imprint, as reflected in the report delivered by Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation. Numerous regional and bilateral conferences and cooperation programs were successfully organized, alongside the effective receipt and implementation of non-refundable aid projects. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen also updated participants on new provisions of Government Decree No. 313/2025/ND-CP, which embodies a strong decentralization approach, streamlined procedures, and increased autonomy for supervising authorities. These reforms have significantly helped remove obstacles for science and technology organizations in accessing and managing international resources.

The conference also recognized and commended 12 outstanding collectives and 26 exemplary individuals for their notable achievements. This acknowledgment represents well-deserved recognition of the concrete contributions made by affiliated science and technology organizations, reflecting the system-wide spirit of proactiveness, adaptability, and innovation throughout a challenging yet impactful year.

Outstanding collectives and individuals receiving Certificates of Merit from VUSTA

In his closing remarks, VUSTA President Phan Xuan Dung affirmed that affiliated science and technology organizations are an indispensable component and a decisive factor in the vitality and credibility of VUSTA. VUSTA’s leadership, he emphasized, remains committed to accompanying, listening to, and addressing difficulties faced by these organizations, in compliance with the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws. With the achievements recorded in 2025, VUSTA is gradually building new momentum and capacity, consolidating the core role of the scientific and technological intellectual community, and standing ready to undertake major responsibilities in the country’s new stage of development.