Important stepping stones
Vietnam has identified that strategic technologies with strong spillover effects are key areas for investment and development. These technologies help enhance self-reliance, create national competitive advantages, ensure national defense and security, and promote sustainable socio-economic development.
The development of strategic technologies is gradually engaging the entire political system, the business community, intellectuals, scientists, and society as a whole.
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Party General Secretary To Lam, head of the Central Steering Committee for Science–Technology Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation, delivers a speech at the committee's first meeting in 2026 on March 12. |
Prof., Dr. Tran Hong Thai, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), said that over the past years, the academy has worked closely with domestic and international agencies and organizations to implement numerous scientific research, technology development, and innovation projects closely linked to practical needs.
Recently, VAST reviewed and selected a portfolio of 112 technologies ready for transfer and application, aligned with the development requirements of various sectors. These include integrated solutions combining artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud and edge computing, automation, and robotics to enhance monitoring and operational capabilities in industrial and energy systems; the Digital Core Platform (Low-code); and genetically modified rice varieties with high gamma-oryzanol content.
Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui The Duy, Director of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), said the university has established strategic industrial technology research institutes focusing on semiconductors, quantum technology, and AI for sustainable development (AI4SD), as well as centers of excellence receiving significant resource investments. It has also launched 16 key research programs concentrating on strategic technologies such as semiconductor chips, AI, robotics and automation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cybersecurity, advanced biomedical technology, new materials and energy, quantum technology, and sustainable development.
In the business sector, Tran Manh Bao, Chairman of ThaiBinh Seed Group JSC, said the company has consistently pursued a science- and technology-driven development strategy. Twenty-five years ago, it established a crop research institute staffed by specialized scientists and built strong partnerships with domestic and international research institutes and universities. To date, the company has developed and successfully commercialized more than 40 nationally recognized high-quality crop varieties, accounting for about 20% of Vietnam’s rice cultivation area and contributing to higher productivity, quality, and efficiency for farmers.
Continuing to concentrate resources
The achievements of research institutes, universities, and businesses in science and technology have laid initial stepping stones for breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, including strategic technologies. However, current innovation requirements demand a new stage characterized by greater resource concentration, larger-scale development, higher levels of modernization, and a more strategic approach.
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Current innovation requirements demand a new stage characterized by greater resource concentration, larger-scale development, higher levels of modernization, and a more strategic approach. (Photo for illustration) |
At a thematic meeting on strategic technologies of permanent members of the Central Steering Committee for Science–Technology Development, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam highlighted the urgent need for fundamental changes in mindset and implementation methods. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister issued Decision No.21/2026/QD-TTg, which identified 10 strategic technologies and 30 strategic technological products grouped into two categories. It also assigned specific tasks to ministries, sectors, and localities.
Experts noted that with the Party and State’s policies and all-level authorities' strong action, strategic technology development must focus on creating specific products with high added value, practical applicability, strong commercialization potential, and high localization rates to make meaningful contributions to labor productivity and the competitiveness of the national economy.
At the same time, ministries, sectors, and agencies should strengthen international cooperation and establish mechanisms encouraging foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam to transfer technology.
Efforts should also focus on tapping into networks of overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and experts. The emphasis must shift from a mindset of merely completing tasks for the sake of formality to one centered on creating tangible products, real value, and measurable effectiveness. Science, technology, and innovation programs should address major national challenges, with outputs, practical impact, and commercialization levels serving as key performance indicators.
Research institutes, universities, and businesses are already adapting by introducing initiatives and targets to carry out strategic technology development policies.
For example, VAST is developing a project to enhance its capabilities to match those of leading institutions in the region and the world, including investments in strategic technology research directions and specialized centers. The Vietnam National University, Hanoi is designing low-power open-source RISC-V processor IP cores for IoT devices, developing a Lab-on-a-Chip system for the early detection of lung cancer cells, and deploying intelligent control systems integrating multiple UAVs for search-and-rescue operations and large-scale surveillance. Meanwhile, ThaiBinh Seed plans to invest around 500 billion VND (about 19 million USD) in research infrastructure, a biotechnology laboratory, a data center, and a smart testing system during 2026–2030.
Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan said Vietnam is holding a major opportunity to make a breakthrough in its new development phase to unlock all resources for science, technology, and innovation. Given this, scientists, businesses, universities, research institutes, ministries, sectors, localities, and society as a whole should work together to build a dynamic, open, and effective innovation ecosystem so that science, technology, and innovation can truly become the primary driver of Vietnam’s fast and sustainable development.
Source: VNA