The Central Steering Committee for Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation announced on 7/7 the conclusions of General Secretary and President To Lam from a conference reviewing 1,5 years of implementing Resolution 57.

According to the Party and State leader, science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are key drivers for renovating the development model, enhancing productivity, competitiveness, governance effectiveness, and national autonomy. Institutions are gradually being perfected, and many bottlenecks addressed.

Vietnam has identified 10 strategic technologies linked to 30 strategic technology products and 20 major national challenges. Some domestic businesses are gradually mastering technology and developing products for both domestic and export markets.

However, General Secretary and President To Lam noted that limitations persist in institutions, infrastructure, human resources, data, cybersecurity, information security, and capital disbursement. Actual results have not matched the resources and political determination, failing to create many specific strategic products. The conclusion stated, "The weakest link currently is implementation."

He urged agencies and units to deeply recognize that science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are the primary drivers for renovating the development model, establishing a new growth model, and realizing the nation's two centennial goals. Amid increasingly fierce technological competition, implementing Resolution 57 also directly contributes to enhancing strategic autonomy, ensuring national defense, security, and national sovereignty.

Tasks under Resolution 57 are considered complete only when there are operational products, verified data, actual users, and measurable effectiveness. Results must go beyond issuing documents, planning, organizing conferences, or establishing agencies; they must manifest as mastered technology, connected data, reduced administrative procedures, increased productivity, business development, and tangible benefits for the people and society.

General Secretary and President To Lam. Photo: Giang Huy.

General Secretary and President To Lam requested a focus of resources to master and develop strategic technologies into specific products, especially: artificial intelligence, big data, robotics and automation, biotechnology and biomedicine, materials and energy, semiconductor chips, cybersecurity, quantum technology, unmanned aerial vehicles, and marine, ocean, and subsurface technologies.

For each strategic technology, objectives must be clearly defined for one-year, three-year, 5-year, and 10-year milestones, encompassing mastered technology, product formation, export potential, and contribution to growth, national defense, security, and national autonomy. The lead agency must be responsible for the final product, its results, effectiveness, and actual impact, rather than solely for processes and procedures.

Agencies must also prioritize cybersecurity, information security, data security, and national digital sovereignty. The conclusion stated, "Do not trade security and safety for development, but also do not delay innovation due to fear of risks."

Each locality is required to clearly identify practical problems to be solved through science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; proactively register to undertake major and innovative challenges within legal frameworks and according to their authority.

The business community is encouraged to increase investment in research and development, technology innovation, digital transformation, high-quality human resource training, and participation in national strategic technology programs. Large state-owned and private corporations and businesses need to lead in mastering core technologies, developing Vietnamese technology products, and deeply engaging in global value chains.

General Secretary and President To Lam also called for robust policies to attract and utilize Vietnamese talent, experts, and intellectuals both domestically and abroad. International cooperation must shift its focus from attracting capital to attracting knowledge, technology, and experts, linked to enhancing domestic research, development, and technology mastery capabilities. Starting from the academic year 2026-2027, the education sector and universities must review training programs, prioritizing strategic technology fields.

Vu Tuan