On the afternoon of September 29, at the National Convention Center, the Ministry of Science and Technology held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Post and Telecommunications sector, the 66th anniversary of the Science and Technology sector, and the first Patriotic Emulation Congress.

At the event, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung, Major General and former Chairman and CEO of Viettel Group, was honored with the First-Class Fatherland Defense Order. General Secretary To Lam personally presented the decoration.

The Presidential decision recognized Minister Hung for his “outstanding achievements in scientific research, technological applications, and the integration of science and technology with national defense and security, contributing to the building of the army, strengthening national defense, and safeguarding the Fatherland.”

The celebration was attended by General Secretary To Lam; former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; former Politburo member and former Standing Secretary Phan Dien; Politburo member and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia; along with many senior leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly, and Government. More than 2,700 delegates participated, including nearly 2,000 retired officials from the post, telecommunications, and science and technology sectors across generations.

Launching a new patriotic emulation movement

During the event, Minister Hung also launched the first patriotic emulation movement of the sector in its new development phase. He outlined six long-term strategic directions:

Developing a knowledge-based economy driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital data

Building technological self-reliance in strategic areas under the “Make in Vietnam” vision

Positioning Vietnam as a regional and global innovation hub and a technology-driven startup nation

Establishing modern infrastructure and cultivating high-quality human resources

Harnessing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation to address strategic national challenges, ultimately boosting competitiveness, governance, labor productivity, economic growth, security, and quality of life, while contributing at least 50% of double-digit GDP growth

Making science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation a national cause shared by the entire population

Pham Huyen