On the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Minister of Science and Technology, Nguyen Manh Hung, emphasized the central role of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in Vietnam’s strategy for rapid and sustainable development in the new phase.
The 2021-2025 period marked an important shift in development thinking, in which science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation have been oriented toward output-based results, with socio-economic development effectiveness as the central criterion. The research – application – commercialization chain has been operated in an integrated manner, directly linked to the country’s development challenges.
These substantive transformations are clearly reflected in three key aspects. First is the development-oriented institutional framework, with a large volume of legislative work completed in 2025. The Ministry of Science and Technology chaired and coordinated the submission to the National Assembly for the promulgation of 10 laws and 1 resolution; at the Government and Prime Minister levels, 23 decrees, 1 resolution, and 5 decisions drafted under the Ministry’s leadership were signed and issued, contributing to the removal of major institutional bottlenecks in the development of science, technology, and innovation.
Second is the enhancement of digital infrastructure and digital governance capacity, which has received international recognition. In 2024, Vietnam rose by 15 places in the E-Government Development Index, ranking 71st out of 193 countries, according to the United Nations. 4G coverage exceeds 99.8%, 5G covers more than 91% of the population; 100% of communes and wards are equipped with broadband fiber-optic infrastructure; 87.6% of households have access to fiber-optic networks; and the smartphone usage rate exceeds 85%. Vietnam’s Internet speed ranks among the leading countries in the region and within the top 10-15 globally, according to international assessments.
Third is the strengthening of innovation capacity and the startup ecosystem. Vietnam ranks 44th globally in the Global Innovation Index and is recognized as one of the nine middle-income countries with the fastest improvement in ranking over the past decade, thereby enhancing national competitiveness.
These achievements have delivered tangible benefits to both citizens and businesses. By 2025, the rate of fully online administrative dossiers reached nearly 78%, while the rate of public services generating online dossiers reached nearly 84%, reducing paperwork, travel time, and waiting time. Businesses have improved productivity through the application of technology, automation, and digital management, while citizens enjoy more convenient access to essential services in education, healthcare, finance, and commerce within the digital environment.
Science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are gradually becoming integral to the operation of the economy, social life, and national governance, serving as a crucial foundation for elevating Vietnam’s position in the new era.
Source: Government Electronic Newspaper