Science and technology is the lever in the process of economic restructuring

On 18th May 1963, at the national Congress of Vietnam Science and Technology Popularization Association, President Ho Chi Minh said: "The task of science, technology is extremely important. Thus, every industry, everyone must participate in science and technology work to enhance labor productivity, produce more material wealth, to build socialism successfully". The teaching of President Ho Chi Minh became the lodestar for Vietnam science and technology on the whole way of protecting and building the country for over 50 years. On 18th June 2013, the National Assembly passed the Law on Science and Technology, which regulates to choose annual 18th May is the Vietnam Science and Technology Day.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung announced "18th May is the Science and Technology Day of Vietnam"

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung respectfully announced: "18th May is the Science and Technology Day of Vietnam". This is a chance to honor the scientists and achievements of science and technology; propagandize, popularize scientific knowledge; enhance the awareness and arouse the pride of Vietnam intelligence, spirit of creative labor passion in the strata, especially the young generation of Vietnam in the task of national building and defense.

The Prime Minister affirmed the great contribution of science and technology in all fields of social science and humanities, natural science, engineering science and technology to our nation’s revolutionary cause in the past as well as to the protection, construction and development of the country today. On behalf of the Government, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung praised and congratulated the science and technology generations of cadres, public servants and officials, particularly the silent sacrifice, dedication and selfless labor of generations of Vietnam scientists in all over the country and abroad. They are enthusiasts and patient people to pursue the dreams, ambition of creative research. The Prime Minister praised the industries, the levels for supporting and assisting the science and technology force to fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party and the State.

Prime Minister awarded the first-class Independence Medal to Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam

However, the Prime Minister said that science and technology activities in the past time were still limited, has not really become the driving force of socio-economic development. The mobilization of social resources into science and technology activities has not been focused properly. Although there have been much innovation and progress in the training, the use at important position and remuneration applied to the science and technology staffs, there also have been many shortcomings. The management mechanism of science and technology activities is slowly improved…

In the era of globalization and international extensive integration, nation with high competitive competence will have opportunities to surpass, develop fastly and sustainably. Competition among the states is ultimately the competition of intellectual sources, reflected by the quality of human resources and the level of science and technology. The 6th Plenum (11th Party Central Committee) on the development of science and technology emphasized the development and application of science and technology is the first national policy, one of the most important motivations for socio-economic development and national protection. Science and technology is the lever in the process of economic restructuring and transformation of growth model, improvement of productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy, aiming at the target to make Vietnam soon become anindustrialized country.

To achieve that goal, the Prime Minister proposed that the science and technology activities in the coming time need to effectively implement the 6th Plenum (11th Party Central Committee) on the development of science and technology, pay attention to the performance of the science and technology tasks with priority to serve the aim of industrialization and modernization, building and protecting the country.  Focus on researching, summarizing theory and practice of 30 innovation years to supplement and perfect the policies, bringing rapid and sustainable development of the country; making our Party strong, holding the pioneering leadership role, in the context of more extensive international integration and the institution of market economy, the juristic, socialist democratic State with increasingly high requirement and development.Reinforcing researches and application of science and technology to serve economic restructuring, rapidly develop sectors, businesses and enterprises using high technology, creating high productivity and added value; rapidly replace sectors, businesses and enterprises using outdated technology, low efficiency and competitiveness. 

Strengthen national scientific and technological potential. Quickly and effectively develop social sciences and humanities. Make and implement programs to develop basic sciences in a number of areas that Vietnam has strength such as math, physics, life sciences, marine sciences. Focus on the development of science and technology with high applicability, some interdisciplinary fields of natural science and science and technology science. Form a number of scientific and technological institutes and universities for research following the advanced model in the world. In addition to the state budget, it is necessary to mobilize social resources, firstly the invested resources of enterprises for application of science and technology to the production and business. Continue the strong, synchronic innovation of mechanisms for the management of science and technology activities. Implement the mechanism that the State orders science and technology tasks associated with responsibility to the use of research results to meet the needs of the nation, enterprises, industries, sectors and localities. Effectively promote the self-control, self-responsibility of the public science and technology institutions. Apply the mechanisms of funds and flat rate of expenditure to improve the efficiency of science and technology subjects. 

Expeditiously issue and specify the policies on the use and use at important function to the science and technology officers; pay attention to the care of leading scientists, scientists assigning to be the chairmen of the particularly important national tasks, and the talented young scientists. Have practical and efficient mechanisms and policies to attract abroad Vietnam scientists and foreign experts to take part in science and technology activities in Vietnam.Promote the development of science and technology market towards developing a network of organizations for technical services, technology brokerage, transfer, consulting, assessment and evaluation.

Develop the system of national database on technology, technology experts, connect the supply - demand of the new science and technology products. Promote cooperation and international integration in science and technology towards expanding cooperation in science and technology at national level, collaborative research with strategic partners and the advanced countries; enhance the performance of Vietnam science and technology representative network at the key locations of source technology, high technology...The Prime Minister believed that the Science and Technology Day of Vietnam will be an annual event, sticking the scientific community in the country and abroad; inspiring science and technology creative passion for young generation, community and society.