At the beginning of his speech, the Minister expressed his deep gratitude to the previous generations of the industry - those who have left a valuable foundation through each historical period. He emphasized: 80 years is a long enough journey for hardship to become a way, to sacrifice into courage, to make achievements become pride. Today's generation carries the mission of continuing that journey with great aspiration, innovative thinking and service spirit".
Recalling historical milestones, the Minister said that from communication lines in the resistance war to scientific works applied in practice, many scientists and engineers have left a deep impression. Among them, it is impossible not to mention Professor Dang Van Ngu making penicillin, Professor Tran Dai Nghia invented weapons despite poor conditions. Along with that, more than 10,000 officers and soldiers of the industry have heroically sacrificed to maintain the informed blood vessel, lighting the flame of knowledge for the nation.
During the period of restoration of the country after the war, from devastated post offices and broken telecommunications infrastructure, the industry has made efforts to rebuild, open the North-South viba route, put Vietnam on an international connection trajectory with satellite stations; build Thac Ba hydropower plant, turn the country from a lack of hunger into a rice exporting country, expand the telecommunications network, research and vaccine production.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are key driving forces to improve productivity and national competitiveness, contributing to solving strategic problems such as labor productivity, economic growth, national governance, national defense and people's lives. He emphasized: "Not mastering technology means not maintaining independence, not protecting national sovereignty". The next goal is to contribute at least 50% of double-digit GDP growth from science and technology.
Providing a strategic orientation for the new period, the Minister stated: the industry will focus on developing a knowledge-based economy based on data and technology; building autonomy in key areas in the spirit of "Make in Vietnam". Thereby, making Vietnam a regional and international center for innovation; building modern infrastructure, high-quality human resources; strongly promoting connections between the State, institutes, schools and businesses to turn research results into practical values.
He also emphasized that science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are not only the aspirations of a ministry or an industry but must be the common aspirations of the nation and the entire nation.
The Minister also expressed his hope that today's young generation will continue, commit to creativity, entrepreneurship and integrate internationally to bring Vietnamese science and technology far. "We must not only follow but also go together, even go ahead in new areas. That is the way to continue writing the journey of national aspirations with innovative thinking - the Minister emphasized.
He also said that the event of merging the Posts and Telecommunications sector and the Science and Technology sector is an important milestone, helping to unify focal points and resonate resources to effectively implement Resolution 57 of the Politburo. This is the time when a new aspiration, a stronger spirit of innovation is needed, so that the science and technology industry can truly become a central driving force for the country's development.
Within the framework of the ceremony, the Ministry of Science and Technology was honored to receive the First Class Labor Medal; Minister Nguyen Manh Hung was awarded the First Class Fatherland Protection Medal.
