Minister Nguyen Manh Hung: Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology continues to uphold its role as the pillar of national basic science, while flexibly adapting to new requirements of the era

The Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology respectfully introduces the speech by Minister Nguyen Manh Hung at the meeting:

In the development process of every nation, there are always organizations that play the role of "foundational keepers" for knowledge. The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology is precisely such an institution. It is a place that nurtures basic science, preserves academic depth, and creates foundational knowledge for the long-term development steps of the country.

In the current new context, where science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are identified as the central drivers of development, the role of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technologydoes not diminish; on the contrary, it becomes even more vital. However, the way we fulfill that role requires strategic adjustment.

The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology should continue to affirm its position as the birthplace of original knowledge, long-term knowledge, and knowledge that the corporate sector cannot and should not produce. This is a core, irreplaceable mission.

But simultaneously, in this new stage, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology should expand the influence of its knowledge, ensuring that it does not remain confined to laboratories or scientific journals but gradually permeates socio-economic life.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is shifting strongly from a management role to one of creating development, acting as a conductor and a commissioning body. This also sets new requirements for research institutes, particularly VAST.

We do not ask the the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology to "act as a business", but we expect the Academy to orient research toward directions capable of creating significant socio-economic impacts in the medium and long term.

The Ministry of Science and Technology believes that the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology should focus more strongly on three strategic roles:

First, leading national basic science. The Academy must be the place that establishes spearhead, long-term research directions linked to the major challenges of the country and humanity, such as energy, environment, new materials, rare earths, biology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, marine technology, and space technology. These are fields that require persistent, patient investment, and the State must be the primary actor.

Second, serving as the "scientific brain" for policy formulation. The Academy needs to participate more deeply in providing scientific evidence for the major decisions of the Party and State. In the context where many development issues are becoming increasingly complex, interdisciplinary, and multidimensional, an independent and objective scientific voice is extremely important. The Ministry of Science and Technology hopes the Academy becomes a trusted address when the country needs profound scientific analysis for strategic decisions.

Third, acting as a knowledge bridge between basic science and the innovation ecosystem. The Academy does not chase commercial products, but it can play the role of nurturing scientific ideas and creating "technological seeds" for universities, businesses, and startups to receive and further develop. This is the way for the Academy’s knowledge to spread and also the way for the Academy to differentiate itself from businesses.

On the part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, we clearly define our responsibility as designing appropriate institutions for VAST to better fulfill its role. The Ministry will continue to perfect research funding mechanisms toward greater stability for basic science, while opening flexible mechanisms to connect research with application.

The budget for basic science will be fixed at 15-20% for the 2025-2030 period, equivalent to 5-10 trillion VND per year, which is many times higher than before.

The research budget for VAST in 2026 is also expected to double compared to 2025, and the Academy will implement management under a fund-based mechanism. The Ministry has also planned for key laboratories to be located at the Academy.

The Ministry of Science and Technology also hopes the Academy will be bolder in innovating scientific research governance, empowering strong research groups, investing in modern laboratory infrastructure, and taking on the country's major problems to attract global elites to solve Vietnamese challenges.

The Ministry of Science and Technology defines a complete science-technology value chain as moving from science to technology, from technology to products, from products to production, and from production to the market. State support will encompass the entire chain and must reach the final destination, which is the market. At the front end, VAST will be more prominent, and as we move toward the back end, corporate participation will increase.

The Ministry of Science and Technology also identifies the formula for Vietnamese science and technology as: 0 -> 1 -> N -> 100%. From 0 to 1 represents scientific research and technology development. From 1 to N means creating many products or services from a single technology to solve socio-economic issues, which is innovation. From N to 100% involves creating a digital environment to popularize products and services quickly to the entire population, which is digital transformation.

The Ministry of Science and Technology does not expect the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technologyto become a "policy implementation unit", but rather a strategic intellectual partner of the Ministry. The relationship between the Ministry and the Academy is not a purely administrative one but a partnership for the long-term development of Vietnamese science and technology.

I believe that with the tradition, intelligence, and dedication of its team of scientists, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology will continue to uphold its role as the pillar of national basic science, while flexibly adapting to the new requirements of the era.

On this occasion, I wish the Academy's leaders, scientists, and all staff members health, abundant creative inspiration, and continued dedication to the country's cause of science and technology./.

Copyright belongs to the Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology (VJST-MOST)