Minister, looking back at the 2021-2025 term, what changes do you assess have become substantive, creating a foundation for improving the competitiveness of the economy?
- I believe that the most outstanding results of science, technology and innovation in the past time are not isolated achievements, but a shift in awareness, thinking and ways of doing things. We have laid the foundation for a new development reference system, in which science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are oriented according to output results, taking socio-economic development efficiency as the central criterion. The entire research - application - commercialization chain is placed in the logic of solving the development problem, instead of operating disjointedly.
The changes have become substantive, most clearly shown in three aspects.
The first is a constructive institution, focusing on removing bottlenecks so that science and technology can quickly enter life and production and business. In the last year of the term (2025), the workload of law-making is very large and creates a clear mark. The Ministry of Science and Technology has chaired and coordinated to build, amend, and submit to the National Assembly for promulgation 10 laws and 1 resolution; at the Government and Prime Minister levels, 23 decrees, 1 resolution and 5 decisions drafted by the Ministry have been signed and promulgated. This policy system demonstrates the determination to "open up" institutional bottlenecks, one of the biggest barriers to the development of science and technology and innovation for many years.
Secondly, digital infrastructure and digital governance capacity have been significantly improved and recognized internationally. According to the United Nations assessment, Vietnam has increased 15 places in the 2024 E-Government Development Index, ranking 71st out of 193 countries. Regarding telecommunications, Vietnam's Internet speed has strongly risen to be among the leading countries in the region and top 10-15 according to international assessments; 4G coverage reaches over 99.8%, 5G more than 91% of the population, 100% of communes and wards have broadband fiber optic infrastructure, fiber optic coverage to each household reaches 87.6%; the rate of smartphone users is estimated to reach over 85%. These figures show that Vietnam has shifted from "digitalization" to "data-based operation", with digital infrastructure becoming a platform to improve governance efficiency and reduce costs for people and businesses.
Third is the innovation capacity and startup ecosystem, contributing to enhancing national competitiveness. Vietnam's innovation index ranks 44th globally, and is also recognized as one of the 9 countries with the fastest improved average income ranking in the past decade.
In my opinion, the most valuable thing of the 2021-2025 period is not only the numbers, but the transformation momentum that has been formed: innovation enters the operation of enterprises; digital transformation enters the operation of the economy; and results-based governance gradually becomes a standard.
Scientific and technological achievements are often difficult to see right in life. From the Minister's perspective, in the past 5 years, what specific changes are people and businesses benefiting most clearly, from administrative procedures, public services to production capacity and product quality?
- In my opinion, there are three groups of the most specific changes. The first is the change in the way the State serves people and businesses. Administrative procedures and public services are more convenient and transparent thanks to digital transformation. Paperwork is reduced, travel is reduced, waiting time is reduced. By 2025, the proportion of full-service online dossiers on the total number of dossiers of full-service online public services will reach nearly 78%; the proportion of public services with online dossiers will reach nearly 84%. These figures show that procedural solutions are shifting strongly from "carrying - waiting" to the digital environment.
Enterprise capacity and productivity have also been significantly improved, going deeper thanks to the application of technology and process innovation. Automation, digital governance and data exploitation help businesses optimize operation, shorten production time, reduce errors, save materials and energy, and improve the efficiency of supply chain management.
From a people's perspective, when digital transformation takes place comprehensively, the digital space becomes a new living space, where essential services in education, health, finance, trade... are provided quickly, personalized, ensuring that everyone can participate and benefit from the digital environment.
People benefit from convenience, businesses benefit from productivity and quality, and the State benefits from management capacity. That is the most substantive measure of science, technology and innovation in life.
The Minister once emphasized the major difference of Resolution 57 is management based on output results. Can you state specific goals and targets to prove this?
- Previously, we managed science according to administrative thinking: strictly controlling inputs, strictly controlling each document and invoice, while the requirements and evaluation of outputs were not clear enough, not strong enough. The consequence is that the creative space is narrowed, scientists spend more time on procedures than on research. Resolution 57 has re-established the order of priority: shifting from management according to the way of doing things, according to procedures to management according to goals and final results. The Resolution also emphasizes the pilot mechanism, accepting controlled risks. If risks are not accepted, there can be no innovation.
This is quantified by "talking" goals and indicators. First, it is a measure of growth quality, through the goal of contributing the productivity of aggregate factors (TFP) to economic growth reaching over 55%. This is a very important indicator, affirming that Vietnam's growth in the coming period must mainly rely on productivity, science, technology and governance innovation, and cannot continue to rely too much on capital and labor expansion as before.
The second is the goal of forming at least 5 digital technology enterprises on par with advanced countries. This means that science, technology and innovation cannot be developed scattered, there must be key points, there must be "leaders" strong enough to lead the ecosystem, creating a spreading force for the entire economy.
Third is to measure research results by the ability to enter the market. The Resolution sets a target for the commercial exploitation rate of research and invention results to reach 8-10%. This shows a very clear shift: from the mindset of "acceptance is the end" to considering acceptance as a technical milestone, while the real value lies in application and commercialization. The output of science is not the number of pages of reports, but the number of technologies and products "Make in Vietnam" put into operation, sold on the market, solving the country's problem.
The fourth is the goal of allocating at least 3% of the total annual budget expenditure to science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, and gradually increasing according to development requirements; At the same time, shifting from a detailed control mechanism to cost contracting based on results; from recovering research results for the state to leaving ownership to research organizations for commercialization; from researchers only receiving fixed remuneration to a reasonable benefit sharing mechanism when commercialization is successful.
A science background only truly has vitality when nurtured from the market. Therefore, the Resolution sets a target of spending on research and development (R&D) reaching 2% of GDP, of which social funding accounts for over 60%. The state plays the role of "prey capital". When businesses spend money on science, they will demand real results. That market pressure is the most natural and effective monitoring mechanism to realize management thinking according to output results.
In 2025, the Ministry of Science and Technology chaired the drafting, amendment, and submission to the National Assembly for approval of 10 laws on science and technology and innovation, which are considered an important step in removing institutional bottlenecks. Minister, please tell us how these bottlenecks have been "opened" for research, innovation and technology commercialization activities, especially for businesses?
- Saying "institutional bottlenecks" is actually talking about barriers that have existed for many years: many procedures, management methods leaning towards controlling processes, limited testing space, ownership and exploitation of research results are not enough to create motivation, and the technology market has not become a flow.
Therefore, the National Assembly passing 10 laws in the field of science and technology and innovation is not just adding documents, but creating a new framework, opening up a new development space for science, technology and innovation. Among them, there are many laws where we are leading the world, such as the Law on Artificial Intelligence, the Law on Digital Transformation.
This institutional opening is most clear in the innovation of science and technology management thinking. For the first time, many regulations are designed in the direction of recognizing the nature of science and technology activities, innovation is risky, there are failures, it needs to be experimented with; but risks must be managed and not eliminated by procedures.
Businesses are also established as the center of the innovation ecosystem. Businesses are not only places to receive technology, but are paved the way to participate from the beginning: presiding over tasks, ordering research, coordinating with institutes and schools, and importantly, having clearer mechanisms on ownership rights, right to exploit, right to commercialize research results, including results formed from the state budget according to the principle of transparency. When businesses have rights and interests, they dare to spend money on R&D and persevere with innovation.
Technology commercialization is removed from technical bottlenecks: transfer procedures, intellectual property valuation, patent capital contribution, technical secrets, research results... are simplified in a more streamlined direction. This shortens the path from laboratories to the market, turning knowledge into products, services and added value.
The next important point is to open a legal corridor for new technologies and new models through a controlled testing mechanism (sandbox). Many new things cannot be licensed under the old law, but cannot be released. Sandbox creates a policy space for businesses to experiment legally, with limits, risk monitoring, and then expand, thereby promoting innovation for businesses and startups.
Finally, linking research with the market and development needs through ordering mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and linkages between the State - institutes - schools - businesses. When the problem originates from practice and there is a clear "buyer", research will be applied faster, and social resources will also be drawn in more strongly.
Over the past 5 years, Vietnam has improved significantly in the Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking. In addition to the state budget, what solutions has the ministry had to unlock capital flows from the private sector, venture capital funds and international resources, thereby realizing the goal of making Vietnam a dynamic startup "hub" of the region - as proposed by the Minister at the ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting?
- Innovation is only sustainable when capital flows are unlocked. In this case, the role of the State is to create mechanisms and create initial pull.
First of all, we focus on completing the legal corridor so that private capital, venture capital and international capital can flow into the innovative startup ecosystem in a transparent and controlled manner. The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation has created a basis for the formation of national venture capital funds and local venture capital funds using the state budget.
We consider ecosystem connectivity to be a decisive factor. The Ministry of Science and Technology has promoted cooperation with major startup centers in the region and the world such as Singapore, Korea, Japan, the United States... and at the same time organized and elevated activities such as Techfest, investment forums, innovation, creating confidence for international investors that Vietnam is a serious market, with stable policies, project flows and capital absorption capacity.
In addition, clearly defining priority areas is the most effective way for the State to lead capital flows. On that basis, Vietnam has identified 11 strategic technology groups, focusing on areas that ensure autonomy and self-reliance for the nation, areas with large demand, sufficiently large markets and the ability to create long-term competitive advantages. Among them, there are fundamental and spearhead technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital technology, green technology, along with technologies serving energy transformation, health, agriculture, defense - security.
When the State identifies major problems and long-term priority orientations, investors will see the destination, see the roadmap, and thereby be willing to invest in long-term capital instead of seeking short-term profits. Capital flows only really flow strongly when it is led by a clear strategic vision and consistency in policies.
I still believe that, to become a dynamic startup "hub" of the region, Vietnam does not need to compete with short-term incentives, but with the quality of the ecosystem: transparent institutions, large enough markets, good human resources and regional - global connectivity. When those conditions converge, capital flow will come automatically.
The draft Document of the 14th Congress emphasizes the new growth model, the double-digit growth target and the requirement for sustainable development. According to the Minister, to realize the above goal, what are strategic solutions for science and technology and innovation to transform into specific productivity, quality of growth and competitiveness?
- The new growth model emphasized by the 14th Congress places science, technology and innovation at the center of socio-economic growth, shifting from a specialized role to a continuous driving force for national development. To realize the goal of two-digit and sustainable growth, science, technology, and innovation need to transform macroeconomic goals into productivity, quality of growth, and competitiveness through strategic solution groups.
First of all, it is to perfect the institution. The institution must go ahead to pave the way for creativity. It is necessary to build a legal framework for key areas identified, and at the same time implement a controlled testing mechanism. The way of making laws will also change: science and technology develop very quickly, laws cannot wait 5-10 years to be amended, but in case of necessity, they will have to be adjusted annually, amending 1-2 key contents each year.
Second, mastering strategic technologies and emerging industries. Vietnam must firmly adhere to the path of self-reliance and self-strengthening, grasping control of core technologies. We prioritize focusing resources on semiconductor chips, artificial intelligence, UAVs, advanced materials, and new energy; and gradually forming the space and quantum industries. These are new growth poles, determining the country's position and competitiveness in the next development period.
Third, fundamentally reform the management model of national science and technology programs and financial mechanisms, taking results as a measure, strongly shifting from "spending on research" to "ordering and purchasing research results", from input management to investment in output. Along with that, it is necessary to consider intellectual property and standards as a driving tool for development.
Fourth is the development of modern scientific, technological and digital infrastructure. The focus is on national shared data platforms, data centers, high-performance computing centers and AI, key laboratory systems, and modern and synchronous postal and telecommunications infrastructure.
Finally, it is necessary to develop a science and technology ecosystem, innovation based on talent. Without talent, there is no strong science, without strong science, there is no strong nation. The mechanism must be strong enough to attract and retain the best people; effectively implement the "three houses" model, in which businesses are the center, institutes and schools are the core, the State builds; and at the same time, unlock capital flows for innovation, especially through public-private venture capital funds.
