Resolution 57 asserts that Vietnam’s institutional framework must become a competitive advantage. To achieve this, the National Assembly must take the lead in removing regulatory barriers in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation - marking the first step in implementing the resolution.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung provided an in-depth analysis of the newly approved resolution on special pilot mechanisms and policies aimed at creating breakthroughs in national science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, which was passed by the National Assembly on February 19, 2025.
A crucial foundation for national development
Vietnam’s ICT community congratulates Minister Nguyen Manh Hung on his appointment as head of the newly merged Ministry of Science and Technology and Information and Communications. (Photo: Le Anh Dung)
On February 19, in Hanoi, 20 associations, organizations, and clubs operating in Vietnam’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector convened for the "ICT spring gathering 2025."
With the theme "Breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation," the event was closely tied to Resolution 57 of the Politburo. Attending the gathering were Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung; Deputy Ministers of Science and Technology Bui The Duy, Le Xuan Dinh, and Hoang Minh; Deputy Ministers of Information and Communications Pham Duc Long and Bui Hoang Phuong; and Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son.
The presence of key officials from the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Science and Technology at the ICT spring gathering demonstrated the government's commitment to supporting professional organizations in the country’s ICT sector.
Recalling his conversation with Chen Gang, Party Secretary of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China), on February 19, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized to the Vietnamese ICT community the critical role of science and technology in national development.
He underscored the importance of sending a strong and clear message about technological advancement, the necessity of state-led venture capital funds, and the government's role as the first customer to support technological enterprises.
He also stressed that AI users would outperform non-users, AI-driven businesses would surpass those that do not adopt AI, and AI-powered nations would progress faster than those that do not leverage AI.
Highlighting Resolution 57’s strong message that Vietnam must rely on three pillars - science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation - to become a high-income country, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung elaborated on the resolution’s key principles, including the military's determined "victory-oriented" spirit, a results-driven approach with high expectations and autonomy in execution, and a focus on mastering core technologies.
At the event, leaders of technology associations and digital enterprises expressed their belief that Resolution 57 would drive groundbreaking advancements in the sector and the nation.
According to Nguyen Quan, former Minister of Science and Technology and chairman of the Vietnam Automation Association, Resolution 57 has ignited new hope.
If successfully implemented, it will undoubtedly bring remarkable progress to Vietnam’s scientific and technological landscape, delivering immense benefits to the community and the national economy.
Chairman of the Vietnam Informatics Association, Nguyen Thanh Thuy, noted, "The enactment of Resolution 57 is a crucial foundation for the ICT community in Vietnam to continue its research, development, and application of digital technologies, fostering a digital economy, digital society, and digital government, thereby accelerating national digital transformation."
From a business perspective, CMC chairman Nguyen Trung Chinh shared that Resolution 57, along with General Secretary To Lam’s speech on September 2, 2024, has reinvigorated technology enterprises, providing new energy and confidence in the country’s future development based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
The heavy responsibility of scientists and technologists
On February 19, the National Assembly passed a resolution to pilot special mechanisms and policies for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
Addressing the Vietnamese ICT community, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that this revolutionary resolution was drafted with a "wartime urgency" and a military-driven mindset in just one week. The government is expected to issue implementation guidelines within another week. The resolution’s passage by the National Assembly is the first step in executing Resolution 57.
"Resolution 57 identifies regulatory bottlenecks as the primary obstacle and calls for their removal. It also states that Vietnam’s institutional framework must become a competitive advantage. This refers to regulations governing new technologies. Thus, the National Assembly must take the first step in removing regulatory barriers in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation," Minister Nguyen Manh Hung explained.
The resolution promotes a proactive approach: "Wherever there is a bottleneck that has persisted for too long, especially in urgent matters, that’s where policy breakthroughs must be made."
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung outlined specific policy initiatives under the new resolution, including:
Accepting risks in scientific research and technology development, where unsuccessful projects will not be required to return research funding and researchers will not face civil liability.
Implementing flexible funding mechanisms, focusing on goal-oriented rather than process-based management.
Allowing research institutions, even when funded by the state, to retain ownership of their research outcomes for commercialization. Researchers will receive 30% of commercialization revenue, while 70% remains with the research institution, ensuring state benefits through taxation.
Incentivizing businesses to invest in research and development through tax incentives.
Regarding telecommunications infrastructure, the resolution introduces special support policies. Given the need for nationwide 5G coverage, but businesses’ cautious investment strategies - deploying only 5,000 base stations annually - the government will provide a 15% investment subsidy for telecom companies that install at least 20,000 5G base stations in 2025.
The resolution also prioritizes the development of international undersea cable networks with Vietnamese telecom firms as investors or key stakeholders. Additionally, it allows for the controlled trial of low-earth orbit satellite telecommunications services in remote areas.
To accelerate digital transformation, the resolution grants direct contracting rights for national digital transformation projects between 2025 and 2026 and establishes a central budget for national digital platforms.
"Technology companies will have plenty of work over the next two years," Minister Nguyen Manh Hung remarked.
In the semiconductor sector, the government will support Vietnamese businesses in establishing the country’s first semiconductor fabrication facility to serve research, training, and specialized chip production.
Acknowledging the immense responsibility and expectations placed on the scientific and technological community, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung called for greater involvement from professional organizations in supporting government initiatives and proposed renaming the annual ICT gathering to better represent the entire scientific and technological community./.
