Acceleration of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation

Just over a year after its issuance, and particularly following the year-end review meeting in 2025 of the Steering Committee, ministries, sectors, and localities have urgently translated tasks and solutions into concrete actions, creating new momentum in promoting science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation – key drivers for the country’s rapid and sustainable development.

The Resolution was issued in a context where the world is entering a period of intense competition over technology and data. For Viet Nam, science, technology, and innovation are not only factors supporting growth but are increasingly becoming a foundation for improving productivity, quality, and national competitiveness. Therefore, the implementation of Resolution 57 has been placed under the direct and regular guidance of Party General Secretary To Lam and the Central Steering Committee, with clear requirements: act quickly, create breakthroughs, and spread results.

Urgent and synchronised implementation across the system

One of the most visible hallmarks of the implementation of Resolution 57 has been the swift and coordinated engagement of central and local agencies. Immediately after the 2025 year-end review meeting, agencies focused on developing implementation plans for 2026 under the motto “Breakthrough action, spreading results”.

The 2026 working programme of the Central Steering Committee clearly identifies the key focus as accelerating the implementation of tasks that have direct impacts on economic growth, labour productivity, and governance efficiency. Ministries, sectors, and localities have been required to review, supplement, and finalise their implementation plans in close connection with programmes for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Initial results show a very positive implementation spirit. As of early March 2026, 102 out of 103 central and local agencies had completed the issuance of their implementation plans for the Resolution in 2026. This reflects a high level of unity in awareness and action across the entire political system regarding the goal of developing national science, technology, and digital transformation.

Alongside this, coordination mechanisms at the national level have also been strongly activated. The Government’s Steering Committee on Science and Technology Development, Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Project 06 held its first meeting of 2026 to review progress and address obstacles. The National Data Committee has also been put into operation with important decisions aimed at promoting the formation and effective exploitation of national data resources — a strategic asset of the digital economy.

Focusing on removing “bottlenecks”

In the short period at the beginning of 2026, the standing body of the Steering Committee, together with supporting groups and advisory councils, organised eight thematic meetings with the participation of ministries, sectors, localities, enterprises, and experts. These meetings focused on frank discussions of difficulties and obstacles in the implementation process, ranging from improving institutional frameworks and policies to building data ecosystems, developing online public services, and promoting cooperation among the State, enterprises, and research institutions.

Regarding the results of assigned tasks, as of March 5, 2026, the total number of tasks under Resolution 57 was 1,633, including: 911 completed tasks (72%); 214 tasks being implemented on schedule (17%); 146 overdue tasks (11%); and 362 regular tasks (22%). The total number of tasks for 2026 is 722, including 360 time-bound tasks and 362 regular tasks. Among them, 250 tasks require immediate implementation starting from the first quarter of 2026.

Regarding the reception and processing of feedback, proposals, initiatives, and solutions related to science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, the system has so far received a total of 965 dossiers, of which 840 dossiers have been responded to (87%), while 125 dossiers are being processed (13%). At the local level, nine out of 34 localities have clearly defined indicators for evaluating implementation results; three out of 34 localities have clearly defined the responsibilities of the heads of each unit; and three out of 34 localities have developed plan contents that fully meet the requirements of the Steering Committee in line with the overall roadmap.

Among them, Ha Noi has issued a plan comprising 110 indicators, 138 tasks, and 30 key projects with wide coverage and spillover effects, creating a common foundation for the entire Red River Delta region; Ho Chi Minh City has issued a plan with 125 tasks prioritising the application of high technology in service industries and key industrial sectors while building a regionally competitive technology ecosystem. Da Nang’s plan includes 32 indicators and 111 strategic tasks aimed at creating breakthroughs in the digital economy and semiconductor microchips, affirming its position as a science and technology centre in the central region. For ministries and sectors, several have clearly defined indicators for evaluating implementation results and the responsibilities of heads of agencies.

Efforts to develop and improve institutional frameworks and policies have continued to receive attention and have been further refined. From December 20, 2025 to February 26, 2026, Government agencies and relevant units made great efforts to develop and submit to the Government and the Prime Minister one resolution and 15 decrees related to science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Ministries, agencies, and localities have issued four circulars and are drafting several guiding documents within their authority. These efforts demonstrate the practical approach to implementing Resolution 57: not only issuing policies but also directly addressing bottlenecks hindering the transformation process.

Several localities have proactively and creatively implemented measures to overcome digital transformation bottlenecks. For example, Hai Phong has developed five specialised databases ensuring the principles of “accurate, sufficient, clean, and live” data.

Ha Noi has addressed bottlenecks related to infrastructure and equipment (which were previously inconsistent, with insufficient and weak configurations) as well as software systems (fragmented and lacking interoperability) by deploying a unified model of digital transformation at the commune and ward levels across the city. The model focuses on ensuring appropriately configured end-user equipment, investing in modern equipment at 139 Digital Public Service Support Points, and putting into operation a shared digital workspace platform (HanoiWork), which is mandatory across the entire political system. This platform serves as a centre connecting people, processes, and data, forming a unified digital working method that improves labour productivity in the public sector and enhances the effectiveness of data-driven leadership and governance.

The development of basic databases aims to serve three main objectives: specialised professional operations, the settlement of administrative procedures, and leadership and management. To date, all nine databases have publicly announced the scope of information that can be exploited and used to replace documents in administrative procedure dossiers on the National Public Service Portal in accordance with Resolution No. 66.7/2025/NQ-CP.

Spreading the momentum of innovation

Beyond state management tasks, Resolution 57 also aims at a broader objective: forming a strong innovation ecosystem throughout society. In 2025, the number of intellectual property protection applications increased by 33%. From December 15, 2025 to February 14, 2026, the Intellectual Property Office received 254 patent applications from Vietnamese individuals and organisations and granted 159 protection certificates. As of March 2, 2026, the Innovation Portal had received 48 breakthrough initiatives (19 of which have been evaluated), 32 proposals for strategic technologies, nine ideas, and 43 proposals for recognition of initiatives.

According to data compiled by the Ministry of Science and Technology from 50 higher education institutions, these institutions have signed cooperation agreements with more than 500 partners and organised numerous training, research, technology transfer, and international cooperation activities. The cooperation among the State, enterprises, and research institutions has begun to be applied in practice as the institutional framework has largely been issued. The Ministry of Education and Training has drafted and submitted to the Government and the Prime Minister three draft decrees and four projects to support human resource development for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The scale of STEM education continues to grow strongly. In the 2024–2025 academic year, technology and engineering disciplines had more than 685,800 students (33% of total university enrolment), 21,600 master’s students (20.3%), and 3,500 doctoral candidates (27.5%). Notably, in 2025, 74 key technology and strategic technology majors recorded admission scores of 28 out of 30 or higher, reflecting strong attractiveness and positive changes in social awareness regarding science and engineering education. In the field of artificial intelligence, there are currently 34 training institutions with around 3,500 students and about 1,000 graduates each year.

Agencies, units, and localities have begun implementing policies to attract and utilise highly qualified human resources. Ha Noi, for example, has issued a resolution on mechanisms and policies to attract and make use of talented individuals, including many outstanding policies, and has approved the development of a scholarship programme to train 1,000 doctoral candidates according to international standards to address major challenges facing the capital.

Regarding international cooperation, Viet Nam has also signed memoranda of intent and promoted cooperation with many countries such as the US, EU member states, China, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) to facilitate high-level exchanges, encourage high-quality investment linked with technology transfer, and cooperate in key fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, semiconductors, 5G/6G, and nuclear energy.

In recent years, Viet Nam has witnessed rapid development of technology enterprises, innovation centres, high-tech parks, and the start-up ecosystem. However, for these drivers to truly become a foundation for long-term growth, close connections between research, production, and markets are required. Therefore, promoting cooperation among the State, enterprises, and research institutions is considered one of the key priorities in implementing the Resolution. When resources are effectively connected, scientific research results can quickly be transformed into high-value products and services.

At the same time, programmes for developing smart cities, high-tech parks, and innovation centres are being promoted as new “growth poles” of the knowledge economy, creating a foundation for long-term growth. More broadly, the implementation of Resolution 57 is aimed not only at addressing immediate tasks but also at achieving a long-term goal: building an economy based on knowledge, technology, and innovation.

As the world enters a new industrial revolution driven by artificial intelligence, big data, and digital technologies, countries that seize these opportunities will gain outstanding competitive advantages. For Viet Nam, promoting digital transformation and innovation is the shortest path to improving labour productivity, enhancing growth quality, and narrowing the development gap.

The initial implementation of Resolution 57 demonstrates the strong determination of the Party and the State to transform science, technology, and digital transformation into major drivers of development. However, to achieve greater objectives, the implementation process still needs to be further accelerated with a spirit of innovation, creativity and a willingness to think boldly and act decisively. Importantly, each ministry, sector, and locality must view the implementation of the Resolution not merely as an administrative task but as an opportunity to restructure development models, improve governance efficiency, and create new value for the economy.

In the coming period, central and local agencies need to focus on immediately implementing the tasks and solutions assigned by the Party General Secretary and Head of the Steering Committee in Notice No. 17-TB/CQTTBCĐ dated December 29, 2025 and the Steering Committee’s 2026 Work Programme (Programme No. 02-CTr-BCĐTW dated February 2, 2026), especially the tasks scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 to address core bottlenecks in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The road ahead still presents many challenges. However, with strong political determination, close guidance from the central authorities, and the engagement of the entire political system, Resolution 57 is gradually unlocking the enormous potential of science, technology, and innovation.

If implemented effectively, it will not only be a resolution on science and technology but also a strategic impetus helping Viet Nam accelerate its path towards building a digital economy, digital society and digital nation in the coming years.

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