Resolution 57-NQ/TW 2024 on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation

RESOLUTION

OF THE POLITICAL BUREAU

on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation

The development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation has become a decisive factor for the development of nations. It constitutes a prerequisite condition and the most favorable opportunity for our country to achieve prosperity and strength in the new era - the era of national rise.

In recent years, our Party and State have issued numerous guidelines and policies to promote the application and development of science and technology, foster innovation and digital transformation, proactively and actively participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, thereby attaining many important achievements. However, the pace and breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation remain slow; the scale, capacity, and level of national science, technology, and innovation still lag far behind those of developed countries; awareness among many levels, sectors, cadres, civil servants, and the People regarding digital transformation remains incomplete and insufficiently profound; research and application of science and technology and innovation have yet to achieve breakthroughs, and strategic and core technologies have not been mastered; the legal framework, mechanisms, and policies have not met requirements; high-quality human resources remain insufficient; infrastructure lacks synchronization, especially digital infrastructure which still faces many limitations; information security, cybersecurity, and data protection continue to pose significant challenges.

Our country is facing an urgent need for strong, strategic, and revolutionary guidelines and decisions to create new impetus and breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, in order to propel the country toward robust development in the new era - an era of prosperity and strength - successfully achieving the goals of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045. From the above situation, the Political Bureau requires the thorough grasp and effective implementation of the following contents:

I. GUIDING VIEWPOINTS

1. The development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation constitutes a foremost important breakthrough and serves as the primary driving force for the rapid development of modern productive forces, the improvement of production relations, the renewal of national governance methods, and the advancement of socio-economic development; thereby preventing the risk of falling behind and propelling the country toward breakthrough development, prosperity, and strength in the new era.

2. To strengthen the comprehensive leadership of the Party; to promote the combined strength of the entire political system; and to encourage the active participation of entrepreneurs, enterprises, and the People in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. This development shall be identified as a profound and comprehensive revolution across all sectors, to be implemented resolutely, persistently, synchronously, consistently, and over the long term, with breakthrough and revolutionary solutions. The people and enterprises shall be placed at the center, serving as the main actors, resources, and driving forces; scientists shall be the key factor; and the State shall play a leading role in guiding, promoting, and creating the most favorable conditions for the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

3. The institutional framework, human resources, infrastructure, data, and strategic technologies constitute the central and core elements; of which the institutional framework is a prerequisite and must be improved and take the lead by one step. To renew the mindset in law-making to meet governance requirements and encourage innovation, and eliminate the mindset of “if it cannot be managed, it should be prohibited.” To prioritize the development of high-quality human resources for science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, with special mechanisms and policies for talents. To develop infrastructure, especially digital infrastructure and digital technologies, on the principles of “modern, synchronized, secure, safe, efficient, and avoiding waste”; to enrich and maximize the potential of data, turn data into a key means of production, and promote the rapid development of big data infrastructure, the data industry, and the data economy.

4. To ensure rapid and sustainable development, gradually achieving technological autonomy, particularly in strategic technologies; to prioritize national resources for investment in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. To fully leverage Vietnam’s potential and intellect in tandem with the rapid acquisition, absorption, mastery, and application of advanced global scientific and technological achievements; to promote applied research while attaching due importance to fundamental research, moving toward technological autonomy and competitiveness in a number of fields where Vietnam has needs, potential, and advantages.

5. To ensure national sovereignty in cyberspace; to safeguard cybersecurity, data security, and information security of organizations and individuals as a consistent and inseparable requirement throughout the process of developing science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. By 2030

- The capacity and level of science, technology, and innovation shall reach an advanced level in many key fields, ranking among the leading group of upper-middle-income countries; the  level and  capacity of enterprises in technology and innovation shall exceed the global average; and a number of science and technology fields shall attain international standards. Vietnam shall rank among the top three countries in Southeast Asia and among the top 50 countries worldwide in terms of digital competitiveness and the E-Government Development Index; among the top three countries in Southeast Asia in research and development of artificial intelligence, and shall become a center for the development of a number of digital technology industries and sectors in which Vietnam has advantages. At least five digital technology enterprises shall reach the level of those in advanced countries.

- The contribution of total factor productivity (TFP) to economic growth shall exceed 55%; the proportion of high-tech product exports in total export value shall reach at least 50%. The digital economy shall account for at least 30% of GDP. The rate of use of online public services by people and enterprises shall exceed 80%; non-cash transactions shall reach 80%. The proportion of enterprises engaged in innovation activities shall exceed 40% of the total number of enterprises. Science, technology, and innovation shall make an important contribution to the building and development of Vietnamese cultural, social, and human values, contributing to maintaining the Human Development Index (HDI) above 0.7.

- Expenditure on research and development (R&D) shall reach 2% of GDP, of which funding from society shall account for more than 60%; at least 3% of total annual state budget expenditure shall be allocated to the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, and this allocation shall be gradually increased in line with development requirements. The system of science, technology, and innovation organizations shall be reorganized to ensure effectiveness and efficiency, with close linkage among research, application, and training. Human resources for scientific research, technological development, and innovation shall reach 12 persons per ten thousand inhabitants; there shall be 40 to 50 science and technology organizations ranked at regional and global levels; the number of international scientific publications shall increase by an average of 10% per year; the number of patent applications and granted patents shall increase by an average of 16 - 18% per year, with a commercialization rate of 8 - 10%.

- Digital technology infrastructure shall be advanced and modern, with ultra-large capacity and ultra-wide bandwidth, on par with advanced countries; and gradual mastery of a number of strategic and digital technologies shall be achieved, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, cloud computing, blockchain, semiconductors, quantum technology, nanotechnology, 5G and 6G mobile communications, satellite communications, and other emerging technologies. Nationwide 5G coverage shall be achieved. The development of smart cities shall be completed for centrally run cities and a number of provinces and cities meeting the required conditions. At least three additional leading global technology organizations and enterprises shall be attracted to establish headquarters and invest in research and production in Vietnam.

- State management from the central to local levels shall be conducted in the digital environment, ensuring seamless connectivity and operation among agencies within the political system. The development, connection, and synchronized sharing of national databases and sectoral databases shall be completed; digital resources and data assets shall be effectively exploited and utilized, and data exchanges shall be established. Digital government, digital economy, digital society, digital citizens, and digital cultural industries shall reach advanced global levels. Vietnam shall rank among the leading countries in cybersecurity and safety, data security and protection.

2. Vision to 2045

Science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation shall develop in a solid and sustainable manner, contributing to making Vietnam a developed, high-income country. Vietnam’s digital economy shall account for at least 50% of GDP; it shall become one of the regional and global centers for digital technology industries; and shall rank among the top 30 countries in the world in innovation and digital transformation. The proportion of digital technology enterprises shall be comparable to that of developed countries; at least 10 digital technology enterprises shall reach the level of those in advanced countries. At least 5 additional leading global technology organizations and enterprises shall be attracted to establish headquarters and invest in research and production in Vietnam.

III. TASKS AND SOLUTIONS

1. Raising awareness, achieving breakthroughs in innovative thinking, demonstrating strong political determination, exercising resolute leadership and direction, and creating new impetus and momentum across society for the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation

- Party committees, Party organizations, cadres, and Party members shall fully recognize the importance of, and thoroughly grasp, the viewpoints, guidelines, and policies of the Party and the State on digital transformation and the development of science, technology, and innovation; clearly define responsibilities and proactively organize implementation. Heads of agencies and units shall take direct charge and provide direction; cadres and Party members shall set exemplary standards in implementation. Tasks related to digital transformation and the development of science, technology, and innovation shall be specifically incorporated into the annual work programs and plans of agencies, organizations, units, and localities; implementation results shall serve as criteria for evaluating task performance, emulation, and commendation on an annual basis. Appropriate numbers of cadres with scientific and technical expertise shall be arranged within Party committees at all levels. To promote the spirit of creativity and of daring to think, daring to act, and daring to take responsibility among cadres and Party members in the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

- To implement effective communication and education programs to raise awareness and determination, promote the development of science, technology, and innovation, and implement digital transformation across the entire political system, the People, and enterprises, thereby fostering trust and creating new momentum in society. To widely implement the “digital learning” movement; to disseminate and enhance scientific, technological, and digital knowledge among cadres, civil servants, and the People; to promote movements on start-ups, innovation, and improvements to enhance work efficiency and labor productivity, thereby fostering the spirit of self-reliance, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, resilience, and national pride, and promoting Vietnamese intellect to successfully achieve the objectives and tasks of developing science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. To expand and diversify forms of recognition, commendation, and timely and appropriate rewards for scientists, inventors, enterprises, organizations, and individuals with achievements in the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; to value every invention, technical invention, technical improvement, and initiative to enhance work efficiency and productivity, no matter how small.

2. Urgently and resolutely improving the institutional framework; eliminating all mindsets, perceptions, and barriers hindering development; and making the institutional framework a competitive advantage in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation

To continue fully institutionalizing and effectively implementing the resolutions, directives, and conclusions of the Central Committee, the Political Bureau, and the Secretariat on the development of education and training; science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. To focus on effectively implementing the following contents:

- To urgently amend, supplement, and comprehensively improve legal regulations on science and technology, investment, public investment, public procurement, the state budget, public assets, intellectual property, taxation… in order to remove bottlenecks and barriers, unlock resources, promote and develop science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, and develop human resources; to reform management methods and implement science and technology tasks in accordance with each type of research; to reform financial management mechanisms in the implementation of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation tasks; to simplify administrative procedures to the maximum extent; and to grant autonomy in the use of funding for scientific research and technological development.

- To adopt an open approach and apply innovative methods, allowing pilot implementation for newly emerging practical issues. To accept risks, venture investment, and time lags in scientific research, technological development, and innovation. To establish pilot mechanisms for enterprises to test new technologies under State supervision; to introduce liability exemption policies for enterprises, organizations, and individuals in cases where the testing of new technologies or new business models results in economic losses due to objective causes. To establish venture capital funds for innovative start-ups, technology incubation, and digital transformation.

- To unify and enhance the effectiveness of state management of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. To develop research institutes and universities into strong research entities, closely integrating research, application, and training. To invest in and upgrade the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, and key national scientific research and innovation institutions. To merge or dissolve ineffective science and technology organizations. To establish mechanisms and policies to support and develop effective public science and technology research organizations; to grant autonomy and accountability in organization, personnel, finance, and professional activities; to allow the use of the state budget to hire experts and to use tangible and intellectual assets to establish linkages and conduct scientific and technological cooperation with organizations and enterprises. To establish mechanisms to permit and encourage research organizations and scientists to establish and participate in the management of enterprises based on research results.

- To attract and effectively utilize all investment resources for the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. To prioritize the implementation of state budget expenditures for research and development of science and technology under fund-based mechanisms, through science and technology development funds. To restructure budget expenditures for science and technology to ensure concentration, focus, and prioritization, avoiding dispersion. To establish mechanisms to encourage public procurement of products and goods resulting from scientific research conducted by domestic enterprises. To establish special mechanisms for researching, accessing, and acquiring technological secrets, and for learning and replicating advanced foreign technologies.

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

- To promulgate a Program for the development of strategic technologies and industries; to establish a Strategic Industry Development Investment Fund (prioritizing the fields of defense, space, energy, environment, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, semiconductors, quantum technology, robotics, and automation, etc.); to establish policy experimentation mechanisms to promote the research, development, application, and transfer of strategic technologies. To allocate at least 15% of state budget expenditures for science to strategic technology research; to promulgate mechanisms and policies on public - private partnership for the research and development of strategic technologies.

- To promulgate strategies for research and application of science and technology in the exploration and development of marine space, underground space, and outer space. To focus on developing energy infrastructure, particularly new energy and clean energy, and to ensure energy security for the development of science and technology and strategic industries. To strictly manage, effectively exploit, and utilize the country’s mineral resources, especially rare earths, for the development of science, technology, and innovation.

- To develop a system of key national research centers, testing facilities, and laboratories, focusing on strategic technologies. To establish mechanisms and policies to support and encourage organizations, individuals, and enterprises to invest in and build laboratories and research and development centers for science and technology.

- To promote the application and development of digital technologies. To promulgate policies to encourage investment in, purchase, and leasing of digital products and services; to promulgate special policies for training, development, and attraction of domestic and foreign organizations, individuals, and enterprises operating in digital transformation, digital technology product development, and the cybersecurity industry. To develop and share national and regional digital platforms, ensuring unified and interoperable operations across sectors and fields in the digital environment. To promote the digital economy ecosystem across sectors.

- To establish mechanisms for public - private partnership to develop modern digital infrastructure, in which state resources are the primary source. To develop telecommunications and Internet infrastructure to meet requirements for redundancy, connectivity, safety, and sustainability; to develop satellite data transmission systems, nationwide high-speed broadband fiber-optic networks, 5G and 6G mobile communication networks and subsequent generations. To develop digital physical infrastructure and digital utility infrastructure; to integrate sensors and apply digital technologies into essential infrastructure. To develop the Internet of Things (IoT) industry and to build a number of mobile IoT industrial clusters.

- To establish mechanisms and policies to support domestic enterprises in investing in and building data centers and cloud computing; to attract foreign enterprises to establish data centers and cloud computing facilities in Vietnam. To develop storage and computing infrastructure meeting international and green standards. To promptly complete and effectively operate the National Data Center; to invest in building regional data centers. To develop and effectively utilize national data and data of ministries, sectors, and localities, ensuring interoperability, integration, and sharing. To establish mechanisms and policies to ensure that data becomes an important  resource serving as means of production. To define ownership and business rights over data and the distribution of value generated from data. To develop the data economy, data market, and data exchanges. To build large-scale databases with national sovereignty of Vietnam. To develop the big data industry of Vietnam. To strongly develop the application of artificial intelligence based on big data in key sectors and fields.

4. Developing and utilizing high-quality human resources and talents to meet the requirements for development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation

- To strengthen investment in, renew, and improve the quality of education and training, ensuring high-quality human resources to meet the requirements for development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. To establish attractive mechanisms and policies on credit, scholarships, and tuition fees to attract outstanding pupils and students to pursue studies in mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and key technologies, especially at the postgraduate level. To develop and implement talent training programs in various fields. To promulgate specific mechanisms to attract overseas Vietnamese and highly qualified foreign individuals to work and live in Vietnam. To establish special mechanisms on naturalization, housing and land ownership, income, and working environment to attract, utilize, and retain both domestic and foreign leading scientists, experts, and “chief engineers” capable of organizing, managing, directing, and implementing key national tasks in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence technology development, and human resource training. To build, connect, and develop networks of domestic and international experts and scientists.

- To build a number of advanced and specialized institutions and centers for training in artificial intelligence. To establish specific mechanisms for public - private partnership in training digital technology human resources. To develop online education and training platforms, digital higher education models, and enhance digital capacity in society.

- To develop a contingent of lecturers and scientists with sufficient capacity and qualifications to teach in the fields of basic sciences, semiconductor chip technology, microchips, engineering, and key technologies; to promote cooperation with reputable foreign universities; to strongly renew training programs in accordance with international standards, modernize training methods, and apply advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence.

5. Promoting digital transformation and the application of science, technology, and innovation in the operations of agencies within the political system; enhancing the effectiveness of national governance and the efficiency of state management across sectors, ensuring national defense and security

- To develop plans and roadmaps to bring all activities of agencies within the political system into the digital environment, ensuring interoperability, synchronization, and the protection of state secrets. To develop shared national digital platforms and develop intelligent monitoring and operation systems to strengthen public management. To comprehensively renew the handling of administrative procedures and the provision of public services without  dependence on administrative boundaries; to improve the quality of online public services and digital services for the People and enterprises, moving toward fully online, personalized, and data-based public service provision; to strengthen supervision, evaluation, and accountability of state agencies and competent persons in serving the People. To establish specific policies to attract, recruit, and retain human resources in science, technology, and digital transformation to work in agencies of the political system.

- To develop secure digital platforms and enhance the application of digital technologies, forming digital citizens. To develop a number of Vietnamese social networks and build a safe and healthy digital society. To develop digital culture while preserving national identity, establish codes of conduct in cyberspace, and minimize the negative impacts of digital technologies on society. To build digital platforms to monitor and collect data in the fields of natural resources and environment.

- To ensure cybersecurity and safety, national sovereignty on digital platforms and in cyberspace; to ensure the security and safety of lawful data of organizations, individuals, and enterprises, and national data security sovereignty. To modernize weapons and military and security technical equipment. To gradually apply digital technologies in the command and control of operations of the armed forces, as well as master high technologies in national defense and security activities. To effectively prevent and combat crimes in the field of digital transformation and combat online fraud. To build and promote the strength of the people’s war posture and the people’s hearts and minds posture in cyberspace to protect the Fatherland.

6. Strongly promoting science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation activities in enterprises

- To establish incentive policies to encourage enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to invest in digital transformation, research, application of science, and technological innovation in order to improve production and business efficiency and corporate governance; to promote knowledge transfer and the training of human resources in science, technology, and innovation through foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises; to support domestic technology enterprises in investing abroad.

- To establish sufficiently strong policies to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, together with policies to support startups and to attract domestic and foreign enterprises to start up in Vietnam.

- To establish mechanisms and policies to support the formation and development of a number of large-scale domestic strategic digital technology enterprises to develop digital infrastructure, lead national digital transformation, and possess sufficient capacity for international competitiveness; to establish mechanisms for placing orders and assigning tasks to digital technology enterprises to implement key tasks on digital transformation; to establish preferential mechanisms on land, credit, and taxation in the research, testing, application, development, and production of digital technology products and services. To develop a number of digital technology industrial parks. To promote enterprises to reinvest in infrastructure and invest in research and development (R&D).

- To promote the consumption of products and services in the digital environment, ensuring that the digital economy of sectors and fields accounts for at least 70% of the digital economy; to promote smart production in sectors and fields such as agriculture, commerce, finance, education, healthcare, transport, and logistics.

7. Strengthening international cooperation in the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation

To focus on promoting cooperation in scientific research and technology development with countries having advanced levels of science and technology and digital transformation, especially in the fields of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum technology, semiconductors, nuclear energy, and other strategic technologies. To establish policies for the acquisition and transfer of advanced technologies suitable to Vietnam’s conditions. To proactively and actively participate in the development of international rules and standards for new technologies, ensuring safety and mutual benefit. To promote the enhancement of capacity and technology transfer in international agreements and treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

IV. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. To establish the Central Steering Committee for the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, headed by the General Secretary of the Party Central Committee. To establish the National Advisory Council for the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation with the participation of domestic and international experts.

2. The Party Delegation of the National Assembly shall lead and direct the review and improvement of laws on the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; and strengthen supervision of implementation in accordance with regulations.

3. The Government’s Committee Party Civil Affairs Committee shall lead and direct the formulation of an action program to implement this Resolution; coordinate with the Party Delegation of the National Assembly to fully institutionalize the guidelines and policies set forth in this Resolution and allocate sufficient resources for implementation, basically completing these tasks in 2025.

4. The Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations shall lead and direct the formulation of programs and plans to guide and mobilize the People to implement this Resolution; to promote their roles in supervision and social criticism, and participate in the development of laws, mechanisms, and policies on the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

5. The Central Commission for Communication and Education shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies in, guiding the thorough grasp and implementation of this Resolution; and guiding the strengthening of communication on the contents of this Resolution.

6. The Office of the Party Central Committee shall coordinate with the Central Economic Commission in monitoring, inspecting, and evaluating the implementation results of this Resolution; and shall periodically report every six months to the Central Steering Committee and the Political Bureau for direction.

This Resolution shall be disseminated to Party cells.

On behalf of the Political Bureau

The General Secretary

TO LAM