Politburo issues Resolution on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation

Below is full translation of the Resolution for reference:

Developing science and technology, innovation and digital transformation have become the decisive factor for development of countries; the prerequisite and best opportunity for Viet Nam to become a prosperous and powerful country in the new era – the era of the Vietnamese nation's rise.

Over the past time, the Party and the State have adopted various guidelines and policies to promote the application and development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as well as proactive and active participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, thus bring about many important outcomes. However, the speed and breakthrough in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation remain slow; the scale, potential and level of science, technology and digital transformation are still far behind that of developed countries; awareness about digital transformation at many administration levels, sectors, cadres, civil servants and citizens is not complete and profound; breakthroughs have not been made in research and application of science, technology and innovation, strategic and core technologies not at hand; relevant institutions, mechanisms and policies have not met requirements; high-quality workforce remains insufficient; infrastructure is not synchronous, especially digital infrastructure features with many limitations; information security and safety and protection of data remain challenging.

Against that backdrop, our country needs to have strong, strategic and revolutionary orientations and policies to create new momenta and breakthroughs in developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to enable our country to achieve robust development in the new era – the era of prosperous and strong development, and to successfully realize the goals through 2030 when Viet Nam has been envisioned to become a developing and upper middle-income country with modern industry, and through 2045 when Viet Nam has been envisioned to become a developed and high-income country. From that perspective, the Politburo requests for effective implementation of the following contents:

I- GUIDING VIEWPOINTS

1. Developing science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation is a breakthrough of top importance, a key driving force for rapid development of modern production forces, for improvement of production relations, for innovation of national governance method, for socio-economic development, for preventing the risk of lagging behind in order to achieve robust and prosperous development in the new era.

2. Enhancing the comprehensive leadership of the Party, promoting the aggregate strength of the whole political system as well as the proactive involvement of enterprises, entrepreneurs and people in the cause of science, technology, innovation development and digital transformation, considering this a profound and inclusive revolution across all fields, which must be carried out in a drastic, unwaveringly, synchronous, consistently and long-term manner with breakthrough and revolutionary solutions. People and enterprises are the center, subjects, resources and key driving force; scientists are the vital factor, the State plays the leading role in promoting and creating the most favorable conditions for the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

3. Institutions, human resource, infrastructure, data and strategic technologies are the core and central contents, in which institutions are the prerequisite that need to be formulated perfectly first. Innovating law-making thoughts to stimulate innovation, eliminating the mindset of "if you can't manage it, then ban it". Ensuring high-quality workforce for the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation; adopting special mechanisms and policies to attract talents for the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. Developing infrastructure, especially digital infrastructure and digital technology based on the principles of modernity, synchronization, security, safety, effectiveness and avoiding waste; enriching and fully tapping the potential of data, turning data into a main production means, promoting rapid development of big databases, data industry and data economy.

4. Rapidly and sustainably developing and gradually becoming self-reliant in technologies, especially strategic technologies; prioritizing national resources for investment in science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation. Maximizing Viet Nam's potential and intelligence by quickly absorbing, assimilating, mastering and successfully applying the world's advanced scientific and technological achievements; promoting applied research with a focus on basic research and moving towards self-reliant and competitive in certain technological areas that Viet Nam has demand, potential and advantages.

5. Ensuring national sovereignty in cyberspace as well as network security, data security, information safety of organizations and individuals is the consistent and inseparable requirement in the process of science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation.

II- GOALS

1. Towards 2030

- The potential and capability of science, technology and innovation will reach advanced levels in many important fields, be among leading upper middle-income countries; technology and innovation capability of businesses will reach above the global average level; several fields of science and technology will reach international levels. Viet Nam will be among top three countries in Southeast Asia and top 50 countries in the world in terms of digital competitiveness and e-government development indices, among top three countries in Southeast Asia in terms of artificial intelligence research and development, a development hub for several digital technology sectors and industries that Viet Nam has advantages. There will be at least five digital technology enterprises on par with those of developed countries.

- The contribution of the total factor productivity (TFP) to economic growth will reach over 55 percent; the ratio of high-tech exports will reach at least 50 percent of the country's total export value. The size of digital economy will account for at least 30 percent of GDP. The ratio of online public services will reach over 80 percent; cashless payment rate will reach 80 percent. The ratio of businesses having innovation activities will reach over 40 percent of the total number of businesses. Science, technology and innovation will significantly contribute to the development of Vietnamese people's cultural and social values, and to the maintenance of the Human Development Index (HDI) of above 0.7.

- Funding for research and development will reach 2 percent of GDP, in which the State will allocate at least three percent of budget annually for science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation and the figure will be increased annually to meet development requirement. The system of science, technology and innovation organizations will be rearranged to ensure operational efficiency and combination of research, application and training. The workforce for science and technology research and development and innovation will reach 12 persons per 10,000 people; there will be around 40-50 science and technology organizations ranked regionally and internationally; the number of international scientific publications will increase by 10 percent annually; the number of applications for patent registration and patent protection titles will increase by 16-18 percent per year and the commercialization ratio will reach 8-10 percent.

- Digital technology infrastructure will reach the levels of advanced countries; gradually mastering some strategic and digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, semiconductor, quantum technology, nano technology, 5G, 6G, satellite communication and some emerging technologies. 5G network will be accessible nationwide. Completing smart urban development in centrally-run cities and other localities if possible. Attracting at least three more leading tech organizations or companies in the world to set up headquarters and invest in research and production in Viet Nam.

- State management from central to local levels will be carried out in digital environment, ensuring smooth connection and operation between agencies of the political system. Completing the construction, connection and sharing of national databases and databases of sectors in a synchronous manner; effectively exploiting and using digital resources and digital data, formulating data transaction platforms. Developing digital government, digital economy, digital society, digital citizens, and digital culture industry to reach high levels in the world. Viet Nam will be among leading countries in terms of cyberspace safety and security, data security and data protection.

2. Visions to 2045

Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation will develop on a firm basis, contributing to turn Viet Nam into a developed, high-income country. The digital economy size will reach 50 percent of Viet Nam's GDP, making Viet Nam one of the top hubs for digital technology industry in the region and the world, among top 30 countries in the world in terms of innovation and digital transformation. The rate of tech companies will be equivalent to that of developed countries; at least 10 tech businesses will reach the levels of advanced countries. Attracting at least five more tech giants in the world to set up headquarters, invest in research and production in Viet Nam.

III- TASKS AND SOLUTIONS

1. Improving awareness, making breakthrough in innovating thoughts, identifying strong political determination and drastic leadership, creating new impulse and spirit in the whole society in science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation

- Party committees, party organizations, cadres, party members need to fully understand the importance and thoroughly grasp the viewpoints, guidelines, policies of the Party and the State on digital transformation, development of science, technology and innovation, clearly identifying responsibilities and proactively implement them. Leaders must be directly responsible for organizing the implementation; cadres and party members must set good example in implementation. Tasks of digital transformation, science and technology development and innovation must be concretely defined in annual work programs and plans of all agencies, organizations, units and localities; the outcomes of implementation shall be the basis for evaluating the effectiveness of annual performance. Arranging an appropriate number of cadres with scientific and technological expertise in party committees at all levels. Promoting the spirit of creativity, dare to think, dare to do, and dare to take responsibility among cadres and party members in developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

- Adopting an effective communication and education programs to improve awareness and determination in science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation in the entire political system, among people and businesses, creating trust and new momentum in society. Widely deploying "digital learning" movement, popularizing and improving scientific, technological and digital knowledge among cadres, public employees and people; startup and innovation movements and those aimed at improving the effectiveness and productivity at workplaces, stimulating the spirit of self-reliance, confidence, self-confidence and national pride, promoting Vietnamese intelligence to successfully realize goals and tasks for the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. Diversifying forms of honoring and commending timely and deservingly scientists, inventors, enterprises, organizations and individuals with achievements in developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation; appreciating every invention, innovation, technical improvement, initiative to improve work performance, no matter how small it is.

2. Promptly and resolutely improving institutions; eliminating all ideas, thoughts and barriers that are hindering development; turning institutions into a competitive advantage in developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Continuing to fully institutionalize and effectively implement resolutions, directives and conclusions of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat on education and training development, science and technology, innovation, national digital transformation, while focusing on the following contents:

- Promptly amending, supplementing and perfecting regulations on science, technology, public investment, public procurement, state budget, public assets, intellectual property, taxation, etc., to remove bottlenecks and barriers, and free up resources, encourage the development of science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, and human resources; reforming management methods and implement scientific and technological tasks suitable to each different type of research; reforming financial management mechanisms in implementing scientific and technological, innovation and digital transformation tasks, simplifying administrative procedures to the minimum; granting autonomy in using funds for scientific research and technology development.

- Adopting an open and creative approach to, allowing experiment for newly-emerging issues. Accepting risks, venture capital and delays in science research, technology development and innovation. Adopting pilot mechanisms for enterprises to test new technologies under State supervision; policies of exemption from liability for enterprises, organizations and individuals in case of testing new technologies, new business models that cause economic losses due to objective reasons. Forming venture funds for startups, technology incubation, and digital transformation.

- Unifying and improving the effectiveness of State management of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. Developing research institutes and universities into strong research establishments, closely combining research, application and training. Investing in, upgrading the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology, the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences, and key national science research and innovation institutions. Merging, dissolving inefficient science and technology organizations. Adopting mechanisms and policies to support and develop effective public scientific and technological research organizations; expanding their autonomy and self-responsibility for organization, staff, finance and expertise; allowing the use of state budget to hire experts, use tangible and intellectual assets to set up partnerships and cooperation in science and technology with organizations and enterprises. Adopting mechanisms to allow and encourage research organizations and scientists to set up and participate in running enterprises based on research results.

- Attracting and utilizing effectively all investment resources for science and technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation. State spending for research and development of science and technology shall be carried out through mechanisms and funds for science and technology development. Restructuring budget spending for science and technology to ensure concentration and focus on key tasks. Adopting mechanisms to encourage public procurement of products and services that are the results of scientific research by domestic enterprises. Adopting special mechanisms for research, access and purchase of technological secrets, learning and copying advanced technologies.

3. Increasing investment and improving infrastructure for science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation

- Issuing a Program for strategic science and industry development; Fund for strategic industry development (prioritizing the fields of defense, space, energy, environment, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, semiconductor, quantum technology, robotics and automation, etc.); adopting policy-testing mechanisms in order to boost research, development, application and transfer of strategic technologies. Allocating at least 15 percent of State budget spending for science and technology to serve strategic technology research; issuing mechanisms and policies on public-private partnership for research and development of strategic technologies.

- Issuing strategies for science and technology research and application in exploitation and development of marine space, underground space, and outer space. Focusing on energy infrastructure development, especially new energy, clean energy, and ensuring energy security for the development of science and technology and strategic industries. Strictly managing, effectively exploiting and using the nation's natural resources, especially rare earths, to develop science, technology and innovation.

- Developing a system of research and testing centers, national key laboratories with a focus on strategic technologies. Adopting mechanisms and policies to support and encourage organizations, individuals and private enterprises to invest in, build laboratories and centers for science and technology research and development.

- Speeding up the application and development of digital technology. Promulgating policies to encourage investment, purchase, and lease of digital products and services; special policies on training, development and attraction of organizations, individuals and domestic ad foreign enterprises in the fields of digital transformation, development of digital products, and cybersecurity industry. Building and sharing national and regional data platforms, ensuring unified and interconnected operations of sectors and fields on digital environment. Promoting digital economy ecosystem in all fields.

- Adopting public-private partnership mechanism to develop modern digital infrastructure, in which State resources are the main source of investment. Developing telecommunication and internet infrastructure to meet the requirements of backup, connectivity, safety, and sustainability; satellite data transmission systems, high-speed broadband fiber optic cable network covering the whole country, 5G, 6G and next generation mobile information networks. Developing digital physical infrastructure, digital utility infrastructure; integrating sensors, applying digital technology in essential infrastructure. Developing the internet of things (IoT) industry, building a number of mobile IoT industrial clusters.

- Adopting mechanisms and policies to support domestic enterprises to invest in, build data and cloud computing centers; attracting foreign enterprises to set up data, cloud computing centers in Viet Nam. Formulating storage and computing infrastructure that meet international and green standards. Quickly completing the construction of and promote the effectiveness of the National Data Center; investing in building regional-level data centers. Building and effectively promoting national data, data of ministries, agencies and localities, ensuring that they are interconnected, integrated and shared. Adopting mechanisms and policies to ensure data becomes an important source of production means. Establishing right to ownership, trading and distribution of the data-induced values. Developing data economy, data market and data trading floors. Building large databases under Viet Nam's sovereignty. Forming Viet Nam's big data industry. Strongly developing artificial intelligence applications based on big data for important sectors and fields.

4. Developing, utilizing high-quality workforce and talents to meet requirements of science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation

- Increasing investment, innovate and improve the quality of education and training, ensuring high quality human resources to meet requirements for science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation. Adopting attractive mechanisms and policies on credit, scholarships and tuition fees to attract excellent students to study in the fields of maths, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering and key technologies, especially at postgraduate levels. Building and deploying talent training programs in all fields. Adopting special mechanisms to attract overseas Vietnamese and highly qualified foreigners to work and live in Viet Nam. Adopting special mechanisms on naturalization, housing and land ownership, income, working environment to attract, employ and retain leading scientists, experts and chief engineers at home and abroad, who are capable of organizing, commanding and deploying key national tasks in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, development of artificial intelligence technology and human resources training. Building, connecting and developing a network of domestic and international scientists.

- Building a number of advanced artificial intelligence training facilities. Adopting special mechanisms for public-private partnership in digital human resource training. Building an online education and training platform and a digital tertiary education model, improving digital capacity in society.

- Developing contingent of quality lecturers and scientists to meet the requirements of teaching in the fields of basic science, semiconductor chip technology, microcircuits, engineering and key technologies; speeding up cooperation with prestigious foreign universities; strongly innovating training programs according to international standards, modernizing training methods and applying advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence.

5. Accelerating digital transformation, application of science and technology, innovation among agencies of the political system; improving the effectiveness of national governance and State management across sectors, ensuring national defense and security.

- Adopting plans and roadmaps to digitalize operations of agencies of the political system in a smooth and secured manner. Developing a national shared digital platform, a smart supervision and governance system to strengthen public management. Comprehensively innovating the handling of administrative procedures regardless of administrative boundaries; improving the quality of online public services and digital services; strengthening supervision and assessment capacity and accountability of State agencies and public workforce in performing assigned duties. Adopting special policies to attract and retain science, technology and digital transformation workforce working at agencies of the political system.

- Developing safe digital platforms and strengthening the application of digital technologies, developing digital citizenship. Developing a number of Viet Nam's social networks, building a safe and healthy digital society. Developing digital culture to ensure the preservation of national identity, building a code of conduct in cyberspace, minimizing negative impacts of digital technologies on society. Building digital platforms to supervise and collect data in the fields of natural resources and environment.

- Ensuring cyber safety and security and national sovereignty on digital platforms and cyberspace; lawful data security and safety of organizations, individuals and enterprises and national data security sovereignty. Modernizing weapons, military and security technical equipment. Gradually applying digital technology in command and operation of armed forces and mastering high technology in defense and security activities. Effectively preventing crimes in the field of digital transformation and combating online scams. Building and promoting the all-people's defense posture and people's heart posture in cyberspace to protect the Fatherland.

6. Promoting scientific and technological activities, innovation and digital transformation at enterprises

- Adopting preferential policies to encourage businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in digital transformation, research and application of science and technology and innovation in order to improve the efficiency of business and production activities and corporate governance; fostering knowledge transfer, and workforce training for science and technology development and innovation through partnerships with foreign direct investment enterprises; providing support for domestic tech enterprises to invest abroad.

- Adopting policies strong enough to stimulate startup spirit in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, to support startups and attract startups to Viet Nam.

- Adopting mechanisms and policies to support the formulation and development of strategic digital tech enterprises capable of developing digital infrastructure, leading national digital transformation process, and competing in international market; mechanisms for digital technology enterprises to join key tasks on digital transformation; preferential land, credit and tax mechanisms for research, testing, application, development and production of digital products and services. Developing some digital technology parks. Promoting enterprises' investment in research and development.

- Promoting consumption of goods and services on digital environment, ensuring the ratio of digital economy in sectors to account for at least 70 percent; accelerating smart production in the sectors such as agriculture, trade, finance, education, healthcare, transport and logistics.

7. Enhancing international cooperation in science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation

Focusing on stepping up cooperation in scientific research and technology development with countries having advanced science, technology and innovation levels, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum technology, semiconductor, atomic energy and other strategic technologies. Adopting policies on purchase and transfer of advanced technologies in accordance with Viet Nam's real conditions. Proactively and actively participating in formulating international rules and standards for new technologies for mutual benefits. Promoting technological capabilities and transfer through international agreements and conventions to which Viet Nam is a signatory.

IV- IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

1. Establishing the Central Steering Committee for science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation led by General Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and the National Advisory Council for science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation with the participation of domestic and foreign experts.

2. The Party Delegation of the National Assembly shall lead and direct the review and perfection of laws for science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation; enhance supervision of the implementation of the Resolution as regulated by laws.

3. The Party Committee of the Government shall lead and direct the compilation of an action plan to implement the Resolution; coordinate with the Party Delegation of the National Assembly to fully institutionalize the orientations and policies enshrined in this Resolution and allocate sufficient resources for implementation of the Resolution, completing these tasks in 2025.

4. The Viet Nam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations shall lead and direct the compilation of programs and plans to instruct and encourage people to implement the Resolution; promote the role of supervision, social criticism and engagement in formulating laws, mechanisms and policies for science, technology development, innovation and digital transformation.

5. The Central Commission for Communication and Education shall take prime responsibility and coordinate with relevant agencies to provide instructions regarding the implementation of the Resolution and popularization of the contents of the Resolution.

6. The Office of the Party Central Committee shall coordinate with the Central Commission for Economic Affairs to monitor, inspect and evaluate the implementation of the Resolution and report the outcomes to the Central Steering Committee and the Politburo every six months for further guidance.

This Resolution shall be disseminated to Party cells./.