Vietnam’s next stage of development must be driven by science, technology and human-centered innovation, officials said at a national conference.
Nguyen Thanh Nghi, head of the Party Central Committee’s Policy and Strategy Commission, said renewing Vietnam’s development model based on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation is a strategic choice that will determine the country’s future.
Delegates attend the national scientific conference on development driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.
On May 26, the Party Central Committee’s Policy and Strategy Commission, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Central Theoretical Council, the Hai Phong Party Committee and related agencies, held a national scientific conference themed: “Renewing the national development model based on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.”
The conference served as an important academic forum aimed at providing theoretical and practical foundations for a proposal to be submitted to the third plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee.
Nguyen Thanh Nghi noted that after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi reforms, Vietnam’s development model has gradually improved, helping transform the country from an underdeveloped economy into one of the world’s most dynamic economies. By 2025, Vietnam ranked 32nd globally in GDP size and among the world’s top 15 trading nations.
However, he acknowledged that the current growth model still reveals significant limitations, including heavy dependence on capital, labor and natural resource exploitation, while productivity, quality and competitiveness remain insufficient. Innovation capacity and technological self-reliance also remain limited.
Nguyen Thanh Nghi speaks at the conference.
According to Nguyen Thanh Nghi, amid the rapid advance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, science, technology, innovation and digital transformation have evolved beyond being simple economic growth drivers to become the foundation of national competitiveness, strategic autonomy and development security.
He stressed that renewing Vietnam’s development model on this basis is not only an objective necessity but also a strategic decision of decisive importance for the nation’s future.
Nguyen Thanh Nghi added that documents prepared for the 14th National Party Congress continue to emphasize the need for a modern, green, digital and knowledge-based development model, with science, technology, innovation and digital transformation serving as the primary engines for rapid and sustainable growth.
The congress also highlights the importance of developing a digital economy, digital society and digital citizens; building a national innovation ecosystem; and forming high-tech industries, strategic industries and globally competitive Vietnamese technology enterprises.
Hai Phong Party Secretary Le Ngoc Chau addresses the conference.
At the event, Hai Phong Party Secretary Le Ngoc Chau said the city aims not only to become a modern industrial, seaport and logistics hub, but also a growth pole driven by knowledge, science, innovation and digital transformation, while pioneering governance reform and modern management capacity.
Professor Nguyen Xuan Thang, president of the Central Theoretical Council, said renewing the national development model based on science, technology and innovation carries particularly important theoretical and practical significance in strengthening Vietnam’s strategic autonomy and promoting rapid, sustainable growth.
He emphasized that Vietnam’s future development model must place people at the center - both as the goal and the driving force of development - while ensuring growth remains sustainable, inclusive and leaves no one behind.
According to Nguyen Xuan Thang, science, technology, innovation and digital transformation should not only function as growth drivers, but also be integrated with cultural and social development, environmental protection, green transition, energy transition, human resource development and reforms in national governance.
Professor Nguyen Xuan Thang says Vietnam’s new development model must place people at the center.
A representative from the United Nations Development Programme speaks at the conference.
Delegates, experts and scientists from across the country discussed theoretical foundations and international experience related to national development models, assessed Vietnam’s development path after four decades of reform, and analyzed new opportunities and challenges arising from technological advancement and digital transformation.
Participants also proposed major viewpoints, strategic orientations and policy solutions aimed at renewing the core pillars of Vietnam’s development model in the coming period.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
