Today, I am very pleased to meet intellectuals and scientists representing the country's intellectual and scientific community.
On behalf of the Party and State leaders and with my personal feelings, I would like to send to you and your families, and through you, to all intellectuals and scientists nationwide, my warmest greetings, sincere regards and best wishes. I wish you always good health, excellently fulfill your glorious responsibilities and noble missions to contribute to raising the level of national intelligence, national strength, development, progress and human civilization.
Dear comrades, intellectuals, scientists,
Intellectuals are the force representing the intelligence and talent of the people and the nation, and are one of the most important resources and driving forces that bring breakthroughs and prosperity to the country. Throughout the history of building and defending the country, our nation has always had a tradition of valuing talents. This is summarized in the famous saying of Than Nhan Trung (Deputy Commander of Tao Dan Nhi Thap Bat Tu during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong): "Talented people are the vital energy of the nation. When the vital energy is strong, the country is strong and prosperous. When the vital energy is weak, the country is weak and lowly."
In the history of the Vietnamese revolution, intellectuals and scientists have always been the vanguard in enlightening the people, building revolutionary theories and applying science, technology and engineering into practice. Outstanding intellectuals have spread patriotic, progressive and revolutionary ideas, creating an important premise for the movement to fight for independence.
After taking power into the hands of the people, the intellectuals contributed to building the political and administrative foundations for the then young Democratic Republic of Vietnam, participating in drafting the 1946 Constitution - a historic document expressing the spirit of democracy, rule of law, human rights and independence. Many revolutionary intellectuals participated in building and implementing revolutionary strategies, from political plans, diplomacy, security, national defense, economic policies, education, health, culture, science and technology, arts to policies on industry, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and many other fields. The legacy of the intellectuals and scientists lies not only in their achievements and specific contributions, but also in their spirit of dedication to science and their dedication to the development of the country.
During the revolutionary stages, our Party and State have always promoted the role of intellectuals, considering intellectuals the source of the country's longevity. The Party has issued many policies and strategies to mobilize the active participation and companionship of intellectuals with the revolutionary cause of the nation. Right from the beginning, when the country was still facing many difficulties, our Party soon had a policy of sending many intellectuals and scientists abroad for training to be ready to contribute and build the country when independence and peace were achieved. Under the Party's banner, enlightened by the Marxist-Leninist ideal, responding to the sacred call of President Ho Chi Minh and the Government, a series of intellectuals and scholars accepted sacrifices, did not hesitate to face difficulties and hardships, stood shoulder to shoulder with the entire Party and the entire people, overcame all hardships and challenges to contribute; Many scientists, doctors, engineers, and lawyers have contributed their knowledge, talent, intelligence, wisdom, and material wealth to the Revolution, and many intellectuals have heroically sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and for the happiness of the People.
In the process of national renewal and development, our country's intellectuals have stood united in the ranks of the Fatherland Front under the leadership of the Party, united with the working class, the peasantry and other classes, and continued to make great contributions to the cause of construction and development of an increasingly prosperous country. The Vietnamese intellectual community has grown rapidly in quantity and quality, always diligently researching and creating, and has achieved many scientific achievements in the fields of politics, science and technology, education and training, literature and art, etc.
In some areas of basic research in natural sciences, a team of scientists has been built with the ability to approach the modern level in the world; there have been Vietnamese engineers who have successfully designed and manufactured many types of products and equipment to meet the requirements of socio-economic development, replacing imports at competitive prices, contributing to increasing the localization rate of equipment and reducing imports. The team of intellectuals in research institutes, corporations, and mechanical engineering enterprises has enough capacity to be general contractors for large projects worth billions of USD; the contribution of the team of intellectuals in the health sector has helped Vietnam become one of the top 10 countries in the world in properly implementing the roadmap of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), some areas (organ transplantation, stem cell technology, nuclear medicine, interventional endoscopy, interventional radiology, vaccines and biological products) are on par with countries in the region and in the world; The application of new technology has helped transform the agricultural and rural economic structure, increase production value, and bring our country into the group of the world's leading exporters of rice, coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, and rubber; the contribution of intellectuals in the field of culture and arts has contributed to creating a new face for modern Vietnamese literature and arts with traditional cultural values imbued with national identity preserved and promoted; the contribution of intellectuals in the fields of national defense, security, and foreign affairs has contributed to expanding development space, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development, firmly protecting independence, sovereignty, and the Fatherland from early on and from afar.
It can be affirmed that the revolutionary achievements, especially the great achievements of the country after 40 years of renovation, have a particularly important contribution from the team of intellectuals and scientists. From advising and paving the way for innovation in thinking, especially economic thinking, Vietnam has escaped the socio-economic crisis, gradually integrated into the international economy, provided scientific foundations, proposed ideas, social criticism, organized implementation, creativity, created ideas, inventions, products contributing to promoting industrialization, modernization of the country, promoting innovation, leaving a strong mark on the dedication and contribution of the team of intellectuals and scientists of our country.
On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I acknowledge, commend, appreciate and congratulate the achievements and results that our country's intellectuals and scientists have achieved during the revolutionary stages of the Party, especially during the period of national renewal.
In addition to achievements and results, frankly admitting that the use and promotion of intellectuals and the implementation of responsibilities and missions of intellectuals and scientists still have many shortcomings and limitations that need to be urgently and thoroughly overcome. Regarding the use and promotion: Our Party has highly valued and paid special attention to, and issued many policies and guidelines on intellectuals and the mobilization, use and promotion of intellectuals, but the concretization and implementation have not achieved the expected results. The methods of leadership and direction for intellectuals are slow to innovate and have not kept up with development; The content of the Party's resolutions is slow to be institutionalized and concretized, and even if they are concretized and institutionalized, they are slow to be implemented or not fully implemented (for example, the State has many regulations on policies on the use and treatment of intellectuals such as Decree No. 40/2014/ND-CP, Decree No. 87/2014/ND-CP; the Law on Science and Technology stipulates that 2% of the total annual budget expenditure is spent on science and technology, but in reality, this has not been realized). Party committees, party organizations, and leaders at all levels have not really shown proper, complete, and profound attention to the use, use, and development of intellectuals.
There are many organizations and apparatuses, but it is unclear which ministry or sector is in charge of managing, using, directing and coordinating intellectuals and scientific and technological staff. The mechanism for recruiting, treating and attracting talents still has many limitations. The Party's policies and the State's laws on intellectuals are still lacking, not consistent or do not meet practical requirements. Scientific research and technology transfer in research institutes, universities with enterprises and manufacturers still face many difficulties; investment in scientific research lacks focus, is scattered, and does not closely follow urgent practical issues; a favorable environment has not been created to encourage intellectuals and scientists to proactively research, apply science and technology, impart knowledge, provide consultation and social criticism; The building of intellectuals has not been linked to the goals and tasks of each sector and locality, leading to "brain waste", "brain fading", and "brain drain".
Regarding the implementation of the responsibilities and missions of the intellectuals and scientists towards the Fatherland, frankly admitting that there are still many limitations compared to the expectations and investments of the Party, State and people. In the context of a developing country with many difficulties, the Party, State and people have devoted the highest possible resources to investing in science and technology, but the number of works and inventions published in the world is still low, there are not many breakthrough innovations and inventions; there are not many great creative works; there are not many strong scientific collectives with regional and world prestige; scientific research activities have not yet originated, have not been linked, have not met the urgent requirements of social life; there are not many elite and talented factors, leading experts are still seriously lacking; the successor team has not really been cared for, nurtured and trained; the contribution of the intellectual team to the socio-economic development of the country is still modest, not commensurate. There are still some intellectual scientists who put personal interests above national and ethnic interests, are selfish, avoid responsibility, do not dare to go to difficult and arduous places like their predecessors, have limited practical knowledge, and even degrade in political ideology, lifestyle ethics, "self-evolution", "self-transformation" (for example, somewhere there is a phenomenon of some units and individuals considering the state budget allocated to carry out scientific research topics and projects as "economic resources", "income sources" other than salary without taking into account the economic and social efficiency of those topics and research projects; are indifferent and apathetic in the struggle to criticize and self-criticize the phenomenon of dishonesty in scientific research...).
Dear comrades, intellectuals, scientists,
The world is in a period of epochal change. The strong development of science and technology has created an explosion of information, culture, awareness, action... promoting the formation of a new world order. Rapid changes on a global scale in many aspects have a direct impact on economic growth, the rapid development of human intelligence and global civilization, in which the role of intellectuals and scientists is of particular importance. Only science and technology, innovation can improve labor productivity, be the driving force for growth, and be the leading factor for rapid and sustainable development in our country.
With the country's position and strength after 40 years of renovation, with new opportunities and fortunes, the Party, the State and the People are expecting and looking forward to contributions and contributions on a new scale and level, with strong breakthroughs from the team of intellectuals and scientists. Only science, technology and innovation are the ways to help us catch up, progress together, break through and surpass ourselves and the world. To achieve this requirement, I suggest the following 4 contents:
Firstly, on the part of the Party, State, Party committees and authorities at all levels, it is necessary to strongly innovate the training, selection, use and promotion of intellectuals and scientists, with 3 specific issues:
(i) Ensure the effective and timely implementation of the goals, viewpoints, tasks and solutions stated in Resolution No. 45-NQ/TW dated November 24, 2023 of the 13th Party Central Committee on continuing to build and promote the role of the intellectual team to meet the requirements of rapid and sustainable national development in the new period, especially in the era of national development, the first stage of which is from now until 2045.
(ii) In the first half of 2025, the National Strategy on the development of intellectuals in the period of accelerating industrialization and modernization will be reviewed, evaluated, and promulgated according to the content of Resolution 45 of the 13th Central Committee mentioned above; concretize viewpoints and policies, as a basis for promulgating, adjusting, and perfecting a synchronous, unified, and feasible legal system, thoroughly overcoming shortcomings and inadequacies as well as identifying breakthrough mechanisms and policies to attract, use, promote, and honor intellectuals, especially top talents, leading experts, and outstanding talents, and train and foster young, next-generation intellectuals. The national strategy on developing the intellectual team must be consistent with and effectively support the socio-economic development strategy of the country and each locality in the new development stage, based on the requirements of each industry, each field, and locality, focusing on key industries, fields, and localities that are lacking, unbalanced, and unreasonable in the structure of intellectual human resources; ensuring focus and key points, avoiding spreading, prioritizing the development of intellectual teams who are ethnic minorities and female intellectuals. Special attention must be paid to and emphasis must be placed on honoring intellectuals, specific regulations must be issued soon, results and output products in the spirit of "serving the people" must be the basis for honoring and rewarding, ensuring a deep demonstration of the culture of valuing talents, avoiding formalities, leveling, and lack of democracy.
(iii) There are specific and practical solutions to strongly innovate thinking, improve and unify awareness in Party committees, Party organizations, the political system and the whole society about the position, role and importance of building a contingent of intellectuals in the new situation, first of all the heads of departments, ministries, branches, Party committees and authorities at all levels. Ensure "rule of law", strictly handle violations of the law on building a contingent of intellectuals. The Secretariat directs Party committees and relevant agencies to advise and coordinate to ensure effective implementation of these contents.
Second, on the part of intellectuals and scientists, we propose three issues:
(i) Strive to fulfill the responsibilities and missions of the intellectuals and scientists in the new revolutionary period, strongly increase contributions with the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army to successfully achieve strategic goals, making our country a developed country with high income, on par with the world powers by 2045. In particular, strive to have 100 inventions, innovations, and scientific works in the world science rankings by 2030; scientific and technological products, literary and artistic works occupying the top; at least 03 Vietnamese scientific journals reaching regional and world levels; by 2045, the Vietnamese intellectuals will be at the top of the region, among the top in the world; there will be hundreds of influential scientists in the world, winning international awards in various fields. These goals have been initially set out in Resolution 45 of the Party. Intellectuals and scientists need to have a specific strategy to break through and accelerate to achieve them.
(ii) Research and focus on early implementation of Resolution No. 57 dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo “On breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation” as a source of inspiration, a new driving force, a new land, a new sky for the creativity of intellectuals and scientists. Intellectuals and scientists must be the core force, the ones with the “magic” to bring Vietnam into the top 3 countries in Southeast Asia in research and development of artificial intelligence; the top 50 countries in the world in digital competitiveness and e-Government development index; at least 5 digital technology enterprises on par with technology powers by 2030.
By 2045, Vietnam will be one of the digital technology industrial centers of the region and the world; among the top 30 countries in the world in innovation and digital transformation; with advanced, modern digital technology infrastructure, super large capacity, super wide bandwidth on par with "digital technology empires".
(iii) It is necessary to be deeply aware of the responsibility of intellectuals and scientists in the new revolutionary period, the responsibility to raise the intellectual level and national strength; the responsibility to self-train, nurture, and help the current generation of intellectuals to progress, to train new intellectuals, successors, and pioneers to create high-quality spiritual and material products for society, to participate in the development of the knowledge economy, industrialization, modernization, and international integration of the country, to create a strong driving force for building and defending the Fatherland, and to contribute to shaping the future of humanity and global civilization. From there, we must be honest with the people, with the State, honest with ourselves, strive to be honest in science and creativity with and beyond our abilities, even "surpassing ourselves" to serve the people and for the prosperity of the country; to know how to criticize and dare to criticize scientifically, with grounds and solid arguments of a constructive nature.
Third, constantly consolidate the worker-farmer-intellectual alliance in new conditions and attract Vietnamese intellectuals living and working abroad and foreign intellectuals to contribute to the country's development. Strongly enhance the contribution of intellectuals to improve labor productivity, encourage creativity and innovation, create added value in the fields of agriculture and industry, turn workers and farmers into intellectual workers and intellectual farmers; promote information and knowledge sharing, create new, more practical and effective collaboration models between intellectuals and the worker and farmer community. Strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese intellectuals living and working abroad and foreign intellectuals in transferring and developing science, technology, and innovation, especially in new areas such as digital transformation and green transformation. In the relationship with workers and farmers in the new revolutionary stage, I hope that the team of intellectuals and scientists will always imbue and effectively implement the teaching of beloved Uncle Ho: "Our intellectuals should automatically take the first step to reach out to workers and farmers, and I am sure that workers and farmers will warmly welcome intellectuals."
Fourth, pay attention to education and training, build a team of intellectuals and high-quality human resources. Teachers must first of all be scientists and intellectuals; have a plan to train leading scientists in various fields, especially important fields today such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green transformation, digital economy, quantum, biomedicine... encourage scientists to freely explore, especially in the gaps and wilderness of science. Closely connect scientific centers, research institutes, schools with businesses and vice versa. Perfect laws and regulations on intellectual property, innovation achievements, breakthrough achievements in the field of modern science and technology. Perfect institutions, consistent behavior on science and technology development in accordance with market mechanisms, international practices, and the characteristics of science and technology, innovation; accept risks and delays in scientific research activities, innovation...
Dear comrades, intellectuals, and scientists, V.I. Lenin once emphasized: “Without the guidance of experts who are knowledgeable in the fields of science and technology and have experience, it is impossible to move towards socialism because socialism requires a conscious and mass step towards a higher labor productivity than that of capitalism based on the results that capitalism has achieved”; President Ho Chi Minh said: “Intellectuals who are industrialized and agrarian, intellectuals who serve the people are also needed now, they are needed in the resistance war to build the nation, they are needed even more in advancing towards socialism, they are needed even more in advancing towards communism”; “Intellectuals are a valuable asset of the nation. Without intellectuals cooperating with workers and peasants, the revolution cannot succeed and the cause of building a new Vietnam will not be completed”.
To bring the country firmly into a new era, an era of development, prosperity, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers; to successfully realize the wishes of President Ho Chi Minh and the aspirations of the entire nation, more than ever, the Party, State and People place great trust and expectations on the team of intellectuals and scientists - the core pioneers creating strong innovations and breakthroughs, creating maximum acceleration for the goal of rapid and sustainable development of the country in the new period.
On the occasion of the upcoming New Year 2025 and Spring of At Ty, I would like to wish all delegates, intellectuals and scientists good health, happiness, and many successes in work and life.
Thank you very much!
