Minister Nguyen Manh Hung: Each working day must create new value
On the first working day following the Binh Ngo Lunar New Year holiday, Minister of Science and Technology (MST) Nguyen Manh Hung chaired the early Spring meeting of 2026. Speaking at the meeting, the Minister expressed his hope that the Ministry's officials would be "more united, leading by example, more disciplined, more focused, more strongly innovative, and create more breakthroughs. Each working day must be a day that generates new value - no matter how small - as accumulation will eventually lead to great change".
On the first working day following the Binh Ngo Lunar New Year holiday, Minister of Science and Technology (MST) Nguyen Manh Hung chaired the early Spring meeting of 2026. Speaking at the meeting, the Minister expressed his hope that the Ministry's officials would be "more united, leading by example, more disciplined, more focused, more strongly innovative, and create more breakthroughs. Each working day must be a day that generates new value - no matter how small - as accumulation will eventually lead to great change".
The Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology respectfully introduces the speech by Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung.
Dear Ministry leaders,
Dear all officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers of the Ministry,
Today, on the first working day of the New Year, I am very pleased to join the Ministry leaders in meeting with all staff. The first day back at work is always a special moment. It is not just a chronological beginning, but more importantly, a start in spirit, thinking, and methodology for the period ahead.
As every New Year arrives, we often speak at length about goals, plans, and tasks. However, in my view, the most important thing on the first day is to redefine how we will work. If the method is correct, even the most difficult tasks can be accomplished; if the approach is flawed, no matter how great the goal, results will remain elusive.
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 must encompass the entire chain and reach the final destination, which is the market. The further along the chain we move, the more business participation is required, and the more value is generated for development.
Our formula for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation (S&T and Innovation and DT) is: 0 -> 1 -> N -> 100%. 0 -> 1 is research and development of science and technology; 1 -> N is innovation (creating multiple products/services from a single technology); N -> 100% is digital transformation (creating a digital environment to rapidly popularize products/services to the entire population).
0 -> 1 is from nothing to something, which is usually difficult, time-consuming, and costly. It is like scientific research, discovering new knowledge; it is like technology development, creating new technology. The direct value brought to the socio-economy is not yet significant, but it serves as the foundation.
1 -> N is the process of creating N products and services from a single new technology to solve socio-economic problems; it requires innovative thinking associated with reality. It is easier, faster, and less costly, fitting the development level and capacity of the Vietnamese people. The value created begins to increase.
N -> 100% is the process of popularizing products and services to the entire population, especially through the digital environment. This is the moment when creation contributes to economic development and growth.
Developed countries focus on 0 -> 1, which is basic research and technology development; developing countries must focus more on 1 -> N -> 100%, which is innovation and digital transformation.
Looking back at our journey, in a context of rapid and unpredictable global fluctuations and increasing competitive pressure, our Ministry has made great efforts. I acknowledge the sense of responsibility, dedication, and the silent but vital contributions of our staff throughout the Ministry. Our achievements are the result of unity, collective intelligence, and a spirit of persevering through hardship.
However, we must frankly admit that the demands placed upon the Ministry are increasingly high, not just higher than before, but significantly higher than who we were yesterday. The country is facing the requirement for faster and more sustainable development. To achieve this, S&T, Innovation, and DT cannot merely follow behind; they must go ahead, accompany, and lead.
Today, science and technology are no longer purely about research. Innovation is not just a movement. Digital transformation is not simply the application of information technology. These three fields are merging into one, becoming the central engine of national development. Our Ministry is the agency entrusted by the Party and State with the great responsibility of creating, leading, and organizing the implementation of that engine.
This requires us to change more strongly, starting with our mindset. Management thinking cannot stop at issuing regulations; it must be directed toward solving practical problems. Policy-making thinking must not only follow the right process and authority but must address the right issues, meet the right needs, and create real value.
I hope every official in the Ministry, regardless of their position, will always ask themselves three core questions.
First, what is the biggest national problem in the field I am responsible for?
Second, is this true that what I am doing truly contributes to solving that problem?
Third, what is the final measurable result?
If we can answer these three questions honestly, our work will have a clear direction, focus, and meaning.
In the coming time, I want to emphasize a consistent spirit throughout the Ministry: taking the final result as the highest measure. We must shift strongly from the mindset of "doing things right" to "doing things for results". Processes are necessary, but a process is not the goal. Documents are necessary, but a document is not the final product. Our final product must have a positive impact that can be felt in reality.
To achieve this, discipline and order in execution are indispensable. Once a policy is clear, it must be implemented strictly. Once a task is assigned, it must be followed through to the end. Once we act, we must produce specific results. The spirit is to match words with deeds - to do things thoroughly until the final outcome is achieved.
Parallel to discipline is innovation and creativity. I encourage units and officials to boldly propose and experiment with new ideas, provided they stem from the common interest and national development. Innovation does not only exist in laboratories or businesses; it must begin within the way of thinking and working of every state management agency.
Another crucial point is working with a systems-thinking spirit. No one can solve major problems alone. Today's challenges are all interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral. Therefore, every unit within the Ministry must view its work within the overall context, coordinating closely and avoiding local thinking or the "every man for himself" approach.
I also hope every official maintains a spirit of service. We do not work just to finish a task, but to serve the development of the country, the people, and businesses. When we put ourselves in the position of the policy beneficiaries, we will craft policies differently - more humanely, more practically, and more effectively.
The New Year is also an occasion for us to look at ourselves. Let each person ask: what will I change this year to work better than the last? It could be a change in how we approach problems, how we coordinate, or simply our attitude in daily work. Small changes, if implemented persistently, will create great change.
I believe our Ministry has enough wisdom, courage, and sense of responsibility to successfully complete the heavy but honorable tasks ahead. The key is that we walk together, in the same direction, with the same spirit and the same goal.
On this first working day, I hope all of you will unite under a common spirit: more united, leading by example, more disciplined, more focused, more strongly innovative, and creating more breakthroughs. Each working day must be a day that generates new value - no matter how small - as accumulation will eventually lead to great change.
I would like to send my wishes for health, peace, and new energy to all of you and your families. May every working day of ours be a day that creates value for the Ministry, the sector, and the country.
I wish you all a year of greater discipline, more innovation, higher efficiency, and most importantly, the creation of substantive and sustainable results.
Happy New Year for Binh Ngo, and thank you very much!
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