The Science and Technology Bookshelf: A Place to Preserve, Disseminate and Honor the Knowledge of Vietnamese Scientists

Overview of the workshop

The workshop was considered an important first step toward implementing the goal of establishing a Science and Technology Bookshelf that included the identity of VUSTA’s intellectual community, contributing to the innovation and enhancement of the effectiveness of communication, knowledge dissemination, and the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi – Member of the 15th National Assembly and Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Fisheries Society and Mr Le Thanh Tung, Head of the Knowledge Dissemination Department of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), co-chaired the workshop. Attended the workshop were representatives from departments of VUSTA; representatives of several scientific and technological organizations, national professional associations, and the Tri Thuc Publishing House as well as experts, scientists in the field of publishing, and the press.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi and Mr. Le Thanh Tung co-chaired the workshop

In his opening speech, Mr. Le Thanh Tungemphasized that Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation identifies these fields as key strategic breakthroughs and the main driving forces for the rapid development of modern productive forces.

Over the past 40 years of formation and development, VUSTA has carried out many important missions like policy consultation, critical review, honoring intellectuals, and especially the dissemination of scientific and technological knowledge to the public. The community of scientists and intellectuals under VUSTA has worked non stop to bring scientific knowledge to people across the country, making significant contributions to the nation’s development achievements.

Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW sets a vision that by 2030, Vietnam will become a developing country with a modern industrial base and upper-middle income; and by 2045, a developed, high-income nation with a digital economy accounting for a major share of GDP. To realize these goals, the establishment of a Science and Technology Bookshelf system is deemed essential, serving as a foundation for connecting knowledge, and supporting research, education, and application activities.

Mr. Le Thanh Tung delivered the opening remarks at the workshop.

At the workshop, Mrs. Pham Thi Bich Hong, Deputy Head of the Knowledge Dissemination Department of VUSTA and former Director of Tri Thuc Publishing House, noted that the country is undergoing a period of strong transformation toward prosperity and strength. Along with key Party resolutions on education, healthcare, and science and technology, the Politburo is expected to issue a new resolution on culture in the near future. This will serve as an important foundation and prerequisite for VUSTA to further develop its publishing activities, thereby contributing to the advancement of science and technology and the cultivation of Vietnamese cultural values.

Looking ahead, VUSTA should focus on developing its publishing activities to maximize the potential and strengths of its network of intellectuals in producing books and materials that enhance knowledge for its members and the public. At the same time, by promoting the advantages of Tri Thuc Publishing House, VUSTA will strengthen its reputation and brand in the mission of disseminating knowledge to the people.

Mrs. Pham Thi Bich Hong spoke at the workshop

At the workshop, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Bich San, a sociologist, shared a candid perspective on the history of scientific publishing in Vietnam, pointing out the reasons why domestic science bookshelves have not yet succeeded and proposing new directions for development. According to him, in many countries, the science bookshelves are a national pride, a place that preserved intellectual achievements and became a guide for younger generations. In Vietnam, in spite of the long desire, the science - technology bookshelf still has yet to reach a national scale, because of the absence of a strong scientific foundation, and the lack of effective organizational mechanisms and collaboration among scholars. “VUSTA once had a promising start, but it did not fully flourish to create a breakthrough in Vietnam’s scientific intellectual culture,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Bich San, adding that from 2025 onward could mark a new beginning, opening up opportunities for Vietnam to make significant breakthroughs in knowledge and intellectual development.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Bich San stated that from 2025 onward could be the new start, opening new "opportunities" for Vietnam to get the intellectual breakthrough

According to Master Nguyen Huu Gioi, President of the Vietnamese Library Association, the Science and Technology Bookshelf should be built and developed soon. Because of the speciality of VUSTA - a mass organization entrusted by the Party and the Government, with members including 93 national professional associations, 34 provincial unions, and more than 500 affiliated scientific and technological organizations. The establishment and development of the Science and Technology Bookshelf will play an important role in supporting scientists, experts, and members across VUSTA’s network in conducting research and accessing scientific and technological knowledge and information throughout Vietnam’s history of development. The bookshelf preserves valuable materials that spread and connect knowledge, serving the future development of science, engineering, and technology.

Master Nguyen Huu Gioi, President of the Vietnamese Library Association

Suggesting the solution of building the Science and Technology bookshelf, Journalist Ngo Duc Hanh stated the first thing to do is selecting a pilot model. For example, one province, one sector, or one specific field can become a “model Science and Technology Bookshelf”, from which experience can be drawn and later replicated and expanded. To effectively implement such a pilot, it would be best to start with a specific scientific and technological field. For instance, organic agriculture, an area currently attracting significant interest from localities and farmers.

 Journalist Ngo Duc Hanh

Emphasizing the necessity of establishing the Science and Technology Bookshelf, Master Bui Thi Thu Hang, Vice Director of Tri Thuc Publishing House, stated that the VUSTA currently does not have a bookshelf aligned with its functions and tasks, as well as fully utilized the strengths and values of its member associations in scientific research and publishing to record and disseminate research outcomes across the fields in which they have been engaged.

Therefore, it is essential to build the Science and Technology Bookshelf to recognize and spread the value of science, contribute to the body of research. Which can provide consultation and policy recommendations to the Party and the Government in the scientific and technological fields.

 Master Bui Thi Thu Hang, Vice Director of Tri Thuc Publishing House shared at the workshop

At the workshop, delegates all shared a common view: As Vietnam strives to transform into a knowledge-based economy and deepen its integration into the global community, the establishment and development of a strong Science and Technology Bookshelf system is essential. Particularly in the era of digitalization and AI, as emphasized in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, the application of advanced technologies in building and operating the Science and Technology Bookshelf is an inevitable trend. It offers breakthrough opportunities to harness the intellectual contributions of scientists and to disseminate scientific and technological knowledge to the public.

In his concluding remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, Deputy of the 15th National Assembly and Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Fisheries Society, emphasized that the establishment of the Science and Technology Bookshelf is a strategic initiative of VUSTA, aligning with the trend of digital transformation and Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, reflecting the intellectual community’s responsibility in the national development. He noted that VUSTA - the country’s largest organization of scientists and intellectuals - should soon establish a dedicated space to preserve, disseminate, and honor the knowledge of Vietnamese scientists. The bookshelf should not only serve as a digital platform for knowledge sharing but also as an “intellectual treasury”, recognizing the contributions of more than three million members within VUSTA’s system.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi also recommended clearly defining the objectives, scope, organizational mechanism, and resources needed to effectively build the Science and Technology Bookshelf. He emphasized the application of digital technologies, copyright protection, academic quality, and enhancing the wide dissemination of knowledge.