Scientific and technological breakthroughs and digital transformation drive socio-economic development

Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Lê Ngọc Châu; VUSTA President Phan Xuân Dũng; Central Party Committee Member and Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Huỳnh Thành Đạt; Alternate Central Committee Member and Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bùi Thế Duy; and Nguyễn Huy Dũng, full-time member of the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation co-chaired the conference.

The remarkable growth of the scientific innovation movement

In his opening remarks, Mr. Huỳnh Thành Đạt, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mobilization Commission stated that “This is the first conference in a series to be held across the North, Central, and South, with the important purpose of realizing the spirit of Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 on breakthrough development in national science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The world is entering a digital era at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and blockchain are reshaping production methods, governance models, lifestyles, and development approaches. Leading nations are fully leveraging science, technology, and innovation as a central resource and a key driver for development.

Mr. Huỳnh Thành Đạt delivers remarks at the conference.

“For Vietnam, after nearly 40 years of Doi moi, we have achieved many significant accomplishments, yet we still face numerous challenges: labor productivity remains low compared with the region; enterprises’ capacity to absorb technology is limited; linkages among the State, academia, and business remain loose; and the pool of high-quality human resources in strategic areas has not yet met demand. In this context, Vietnam needs a breakthrough strategy - not only in technology, but also in mindset, institutions, and resources,” Mr. Đạt emphasized.

Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW identifies science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the principal momentum of rapid and sustainable development, realizing the aspiration for Vietnam to become a high-income developed country by 2045. The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation (2025) represents a major institutional advance, creating an enabling legal framework and breakthrough financial policies to vigorously encourage investment, research, and the application of new technologies, especially in priority fields.

 “Accordingly, this conference serves as a forum to update policy and for exchanges on practice, sharing models and experiences, and defining action priorities for each region, locality, sector, and field,” Mr. Đạt said.

Dr. Sc Phan Xuân Dũng — President of VUSTA and Chairman of the Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technological Creations (VIFOTEC).

Dr. Sc. Phan Xuân Dũng stated that over 33 years VIFOTEC as the standing body, has successfully fulfilled its mission of recognizing, motivating, and honoring creativity through 29 award cycles, 17 contests, and 20 competitions thereby fostering a nationwide movement of scientific research, technology, and creative labor among intellectuals and working people.

“From 1995 to 2024, 3,252 science and technology projects were submitted, of which 1,116 outstanding works were honored - making an important contribution to national development”, he noted.

Since the 8th Technical Creativity Contest (2004–2005), when VIFOTEC became the standing body, the technical creativity movement has flourished, attracting 5,417 solutions, with 787 award-winning solutions—affirming its broad reach. In parallel, the National Contest for Youth and Children’s Creativity has received 10,080 entries since 2005, of which 1,743 have been awarded.

He emphasized that while only 25 provinces and cities participated in the early years, by 2024 around 55 provinces and cities regularly submitted entries, evidence of the remarkable growth of scientific creativity among students and youth nationwide.

Resolution 57 (December 22, 2024) constitutes a breakthrough for advancing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The General Secretary serving directly as Head of the Steering Committee and the establishment of the Innovation Advisory Council are new approaches that ensure consistency and effectiveness in implementation - giving confidence that substantive changes will be swiftly translated into real life.

The co-organization of this conference by the Central Propaganda and Mobilization Commission aims to raise awareness and determination across the entire political system, the public, and the business community - instilling confidence and a new momentum to successfully realize the objectives and tasks set forth in Resolution 57, Dr. Dũng said.

Resolution 57 paves the way for rapid and sustainable development

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Lê Ngọc Châu, Chairman of the Hải Phòng People’s Committee, said “Following its merger with Hải Dương Province, Hải Phòng now covers over 3,190 km², has nearly 4.7 million inhabitants, and ranks third nationwide in economic scale. The city is positioned as an international seaport metropolis, a modern industrial hub, a logistics and free-trade services center, and a gateway for training, scientific research, and international integration”.

Mr. Lê Ngọc Châu, Chairman of the Hải Phòng People’s Committee.

Despite challenges, thanks to the leadership of the Party and State, the comprehensive direction of the Municipal Party Committee, the oversight and support of the People’s Council, the decisive administration of the People’s Committee and the consensus of enterprises and citizens, Hải Phòng’s economy achieved notable results in the first seven months of 2025: GRDP grew 11.2% in Q2, with Q3 expected to reach nearly 14%, among the highest in the country; budget revenue exceeded VND 116.7 trillion, equaling 131.5% of the same period in 2024.

“Particularly, the 2025 Investment Promotion Conference, themed “Hải Phòng - Strategic Destination of the New Era” welcomed over 1,500 delegates, with 32 projects and 7 memoranda of understanding signed or granted certificates, totaling more than USD 15.6 billion in committed capital” Mr. Châu said.

He affirmed that Hải Phòng views Resolution No. 57 as one of the Politburo’s four strategic resolutions, laying the foundation for a new phase of development. In implementing the Resolution, the city has established a Steering Committee, promulgated specific plans and mechanisms, and recorded initial positive outcomes: third nationwide in the Provincial Innovation Index (PII); city-wide 4G coverage and 5G trials in industrial zones; integration of land, population, and education databases; 76 science-and-technology enterprises; over 1,400 digital-technology firms; and nearly 9,000 SMEs using digital platforms.

View of the conference.

Mr. Châu added that the city is developing a VND 13,000-billion, 86-hectare technology urban area, alongside multiple international cooperation agreements - demonstrating its determination to become a national center for innovation and marine science-technology.

Leaders of Hai Phong City People's Committee reaffirmed that the conference is an important forum for scientists, intellectuals, and businesses to share ideas, cooperate in research, and transform creative potential into real strength, igniting trust, aspirations, and determination to make science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation a powerful engine for rapid, sustainable national development in an era of global integration.

At the conference, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bùi Thế Duy presented the main contents of the 2025 Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, breakthrough financial mechanisms, and lists of strategic technologies and products to guide localities in shaping scientific and technological development.

Deputy Minister Bùi Thế Duy speaks at the forum.

“Strategic technologies must be product-oriented and enterprise-driven. Each institute and university must identify core products to catalyze cooperation and research into new frontiers; strategic technologies must align with national goals, specifically today’s targets of double-digit growth and contributing 50% to GDP growth,” he said.

According to Vice Minister Duy, the state will provide ‘seed’ capital for enterprises to research strategic products, for example, for every 3 dong invested by enterprises, the state contributes 1 dong, and research outcomes belong to the enterprises, thereby encouraging enterprise-led innovation and R&D investment.

 “Localities must focus on applying innovation and technological renewal. The state will support interest-rate subsidies and vouchers for enterprises innovating domestic products, helping them commercialize their technologies. In doing so, we can enhance the contribution of local enterprises to socioeconomic development,” Mr. Duy shared.

During the conference, alongside discussions on advancing science, technology, and digital transformation, localities and scientists also shared many practical experiences and lessons, and honored exemplary initiatives, outstanding innovation projects, and successful application models.

Nguyễn Huy Dũng, Full-time Member of the Central Steering Committee for Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation, addresses the conference.

Lê Xuân Thảo, Standing Vice Chairman of VIFOTEC delivers remarks.

VUSTA Honorary President Đặng Vũ Minh and VUSTA President Phan Xuân Dũng present the Medal “For the Cause of Scientific and Technological Creativity in Vietnam” to individuals with outstanding contributions to supporting scientific and technological talents in 2024–2025.

Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mobilization Commission Huỳnh Thành Đạt and VUSTA President Phan Xuân Dũng present VIFOTEC flags to units with outstanding achievements in publicizing and applying award-winning works and contest outcomes.

VUSTA Honorary President Đặng Vũ Minh and Deputy Head Huỳnh Thành Đạt present Emulation Flags to individuals with exceptional achievements in disseminating and applying prize-winning works and contests.

Delegates visit an exhibition booth showcasing science-and-technology application achievements of the Đất Việt company on the sidelines of the conference.

Delegates participates the forum

A cultural performance welcoming the conference.

PV.