At the Ministry of Science and Technology’s (MOST) 2025 year-end conference held on December 26 in Hanoi, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung declared that this year represents not just a policy milestone, but “a transformation in mindset.”

“Vietnam must now grow through total factor productivity, technological depth, and the strength of domestic enterprises,” he said. “Science, innovation, and digital transformation are the foundations of a new development era.”

2025  -  The year of transition

Minister Hung described 2025 as a “pivot year”, marking the end of the old development logic and the beginning of a new national framework where science and innovation are central to productivity and resilience.

He noted that this vision has been institutionalized through key legislative reforms and Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo, which elevates the three pillars  -  science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation  -  to the highest strategic level, driving Vietnam toward high-income status.

“In the past five years,” Hung said, “we have built a new frame of reference  -  a new way of thinking, new approaches, and new roles. From here, our task is no longer to talk about concepts, but to turn them into measurable national capabilities.”

“Never before has science been so close to business”

Former Minister Nguyen Quan praised the sector’s achievements in 2025, calling it a “breakthrough year” in connecting scientists with enterprises and strengthening the “triple helix” of the State, academia, and business.

He also commended the Ministry’s pioneering work in reforming management mechanisms and drafting landmark legislation  -  including new laws on artificial intelligence and digital industry, alongside revisions to existing science and technology laws.

“These were not just routine amendments,” Quan noted. “They required enormous intellectual and physical effort from our teams to deliver on the scale demanded by Resolution 57.”

Science and technology revenue surpasses 5 quadrillion VND

Deputy Minister Bui Hoang Phuong reported that 2025 was a record year for the science and technology sector, achieving total revenue of 5.465 quadrillion VND, contributing 1.44 quadrillion VND directly to GDP and 115 trillion VND to the state budget.

He said Vietnam has shifted from “management to creation,” with institutional reforms serving as the “breakthrough of breakthroughs”  -  the essential condition for science and innovation to become a real growth engine.

Within 10 months of restructuring, MOST drafted and submitted 10 laws, 1 resolution, 22 decrees, 5 Prime Minister decisions, and 49 circulars, creating a comprehensive legal framework for the nation’s strategic technology pillars: digital industry, artificial intelligence, high technology, nuclear energy, metrology, standards, technology transfer, and intellectual property.

For the first time, Vietnam has issued a National List of Strategic Technologies and Products, setting clear priorities for innovation-led growth.

Deputy PM outlines 5 priorities for 2026

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, attending the conference, praised the sector’s progress, noting that the Ministry has “fulfilled most of its 473 assigned tasks” under Resolution 57.

He highlighted three core achievements:

A breakthrough in institutional building,
Strengthened national science and technology capacity, and
A decisive shift in governance mindset.

However, he also warned of ongoing challenges  -  including slow Internet access in remote areas, uneven 5G rollout, and delays in implementing some national programs.

Looking ahead to 2026, he outlined five key priorities:

Completing and implementing new science and technology policies in practice;
Expanding national science programs;
Building a robust innovation ecosystem;
Deepening the link between science, innovation, and the National Digital Transformation Program (Project 06);
Accelerating from planning to measurable results.

“If 2025 was the year of preparation and institutional readiness,” Dung said, “then 2026 must be the year of action  -  moving from doing something to doing it thoroughly and effectively.”

He expressed confidence that, with unity, intellect, and determination, Vietnam’s science and technology community will achieve breakthroughs in 2026–2030  -  laying the groundwork for a prosperous, innovation-driven economy.

Du Lam