VUSTA’s intellectuals contribute policy recommendations ahead of the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly
The community of scientific and technological intellectuals has always played a pioneering role in social supervision and critique, contributing to the refinement of laws and policies and promoting their effective implementation. With intellect, creativity, and responsibility, VUSTA members continue to make active and constructive contributions on key national issues.
VUSTA President Phan Xuan Dung and Secretary-General Nguyen Quyet Chien chaired the workshop
On September 24 in Hanoi, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology (VUSTA) organized a workshop titled “Intellectuals’ and Voters’ Opinion Ahead of the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly”. The event aimed to gather the collective wisdom of the nation’s scientific and technological intellectuals on key national issues. Attending the workshop were representatives from the Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilization, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, along with numerous scientists, experts, and managers.
In his opening remarks, VUSTA President Phan Xuan Dung emphasized that the workshop held special significance as the National Assembly prepares for its 10th session, which will address many important issues. He noted that the community of scientific and technological intellectuals are a pioneering force in providing scientific evidence; engaging in social supervision and critique; contributing to the refinement of laws, mechanisms, and policies; and promoting their effective implementation. Their candid, responsible, and constructive feedback, he said, will provide the National Assembly with valuable scientific and practical foundations for decision-making, ensuring rapid and sustainable national development in the new era.
VUSTA President Phan Xuan Dung delivered the opening speech
Contributing opinions on agricultural and environmental policy, Prof. Dr. Dao Xuan Hoc of the Vietnam Water Resources Development Association noted that while the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has helped address macro-level overlaps, inconsistencies remain at the micro level, particularly in water resource and irrigation management. The coexistence of the Law on Water Resources and the Law on Irrigation has resulted in fragmentation and a lack of coherence, reducing management efficiency. Prof. Hoc proposed that the National Assembly undertake a comprehensive review and move toward consolidating related legislation into a unified Water or Irrigation Code, incorporating provisions currently scattered across specialized laws such as those on disaster prevention, groundwater exploitation, and water supply and drainage. He further emphasized the need to clearly define ministerial responsibilities under the principle of “one task – one responsible agency” to avoid waste and overlap, thereby establishing a coherent legal framework to support sustainable development.
Prof. Dr. Dao Xuan Hoc from the Vietnam Water Resources Development Association delivered his presentation
In the field of education, Mr. Nguyen Cong Khan, representing the Vietnam Food Safety Association, warned that school mergers and restructuring, if implemented without proper planning and adequate support policies, could cause disruptions, teacher redundancies, wasted facilities, and a decline in teaching quality. He recommended that authorities prepare detailed impact assessments on affected schools, teachers, and students, while also providing travel assistance for students, implementing retraining and job placement programs for teachers, and making efficient use of redundant facilities to prevent waste.
Prof. Dr. Le Van Trinh, President of the Vietnam Occupational Safety and Health Association, delivered his presentation
Prof. Dr. Le Van Trinh, President of the Vietnam Occupational Safety and Health Association, emphasized that VUSTA serves as the “common home” for more than 3.7 million members, including around 2.2 million scientific and technological intellectuals – a vibrant community of intellect and dedication. He noted that the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, issued in 2024, on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation form the “backbone” for overcoming the middle-income trap and enhancing labor productivity.
He emphasized that while new policies in education and healthcare are commendable, the restructuring of the university system must be data-driven, guided by population statistics and labor market demands, to prevent waste and ensure equity in educational access. On environmental issues, he called for stronger actions to control emissions and respond to climate change. He also underscored the need for special incentive mechanisms to support intellectuals, encourage policy critique, and expand investment in modern infrastructure, while fostering an innovation ecosystem that connects research institutes, universities, and enterprises, ensuring that science and technology truly become a driving force for national development.
In the healthcare sector, many intellectuals urged the government to expedite the operation of the second campuses of Bach Mai and Viet Duc Hospital to alleviate overcrowding at central-level hospitals. They also recommended strengthening the preventive healthcare system, reforming health insurance, and launching national programs on mental health and population aging. In addition, they called for stricter oversight of food safety, clean water, and online business activities to safeguard public health.
View of the workshop
Regarding the Draft Law on the Press (Amended), Dr. Le Nghiem, Vice President of the Vietnam Digital Communications Association, proposed that the National Assembly take this opportunity to comprehensively review press-related policies, from journalist accreditation to long-term media development strategies. He stressed that lawmaking should not merely amend outdated provisions, but serve as a breakthrough in press policy, reflecting all key directions already endorsed and implemented by the Party and State, befitting a foundational law governing journalism.
Dr. Le Nghiem stated that one of the key policy adjustments should focus on financial mechanisms and media business models, with the goal of ensuring that journalism operates sustainably and robustly. He emphasized that the State should recognize journalism as a key entity within the information and communications industry. In Vietnam’s rapidly evolving media landscape, newspapers should be regarded as special public enterprises with their own readerships and market-driven products, governed by the Press Law, the Enterprise Law, and other relevant regulations. According to him, readers, not the State budget, are the one who sustain journalism. Only when journalism can thrive in the market can it truly grow stronger.
In this spirit, the State should continue to support and encourage media organizations to be financially self-reliant, thrive under market mechanisms, and build strong, reputable brands that are trusted and appreciated by the public and readership.
Dr. Le Nghiem, Vice President of the Vietnam Digital Communications Association, presenting his paper
At the workshop, some participants noted that to harness the community’s strength in protecting nature and the environment, mechanisms, policies, and legal systems must be rapidly perfected in a coordinated, flexible, and feasible manner. Following administrative mergers, proper attention must be given to localities, with clear and stable arrangements for funding, infrastructure, and the welfare of commune library staff. It is also vital to ensure that culture develops alongside the economy and politics, in line with Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW dated June 9, 2014 of the 9th Plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee on building and developing Vietnamese culture and people meeting the demand for national sustainable development.
From another perspective, delegates called for stricter oversight of public procurement, drawing on international experience to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure transparency. They urged the National Assembly and the Government to implement robust measures that both foster a fair and transparent business environment and reinforce public trust in anti-corruption efforts.
Dr. Do Nguyen Hung, Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Automation Association, presented at the workshop
The workshop recorded a wealth of insightful and substantive contributions from the nation’s scientific and technological intellectuals, focusing on key national issues. These contributions will be consolidated and submitted to the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly, helping to refine Vietnam’s legal system and policy framework to meet the demands of rapid and sustainable national development in the new era.
PV.
