On April 1, General Secretary To Lam chaired a meeting of the Politburo and the Secretariat to receive a knowledge briefing and provide feedback on the refinement of a thematic report focused on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

General Secretary To Lam emphasized that this activity reflects the highest level of determination by the Party and State leadership to successfully implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which outlines strategic breakthroughs in national development through science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Workers operating production machinery at ICT Vina Company, located in the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park. Illustrative photo: Vietnam News Agency (VNA)

According to the General Secretary, in order to effectively lead, direct, and implement the resolution, members of the Politburo and the Secretariat have taken the lead in updating their knowledge in this complex, constantly evolving field.

Emphasizing that the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation is “an imperative choice, and the only path to national development and improved living standards for the people”, the General Secretary called on relevant agencies to intensify their efforts in the coming period. He stressed that the ultimate goals are to enhance social governance and apply these advancements in production to boost labor productivity.

Earlier, on the afternoon of January 20, General Secretary To Lam chaired the first session of the Central Steering Committee on the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation. He emphasized the importance of adhering to a principled approach: implementing tasks with focus and selectivity, concentrating on the core elements outlined in Resolution 57-NQ/TW, and prioritizing the removal of institutional barriers to scientific and technological advancement.

The General Secretary stressed that all actions must be carried out with urgency and determination, and that each task should be clearly assigned, with measurable indicators and specific timelines.

On March 7, while chairing a nationwide online conference to disseminate and implement newly passed laws and resolutions of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính stated that the effort aims to meet the requirement of allocating at least 3% of the total state budget expenditure to drive breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The government will also mobilize additional resources to implement Resolution 57-NQ/TW—such as issuing government bonds and reallocating capital from other areas as needed.

It can be affirmed that the determination to successfully implement Resolution 57-NQ/TW is both evident and cohesive, with clearly defined timelines, tasks, and resource allocations. This is entirely understandable—given the current global landscape of rapid digital transformation, development is simply not possible without boldness, innovation, commitment, and a willingness to engage in this fiercely competitive global arena.

A great deal of work related to Resolution 57-NQ/TW has already been implemented, most notably the National Assembly’s adoption of Resolution 193/2025/QH1, which pilots a number of special mechanisms and policies aimed at creating breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. Shortly after Resolution 193/2025/QH1 was issued—with its multiple groups of special mechanisms and policies—the initial steps toward institutionalizing Resolution 57-NQ/TW into practice began to yield positive outcomes. Digital transformation within government agencies has started to show promising progress...

On March 18, during a meeting of the Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Project 06, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the development and issuance of a National Program for the Development of Strategic Technology and Industry.

This program focuses on establishing a national network of key research centers, testing facilities, and laboratories dedicated to strategic technologies, while also setting up a Strategic Industry Development Investment Fund. Additionally, Vietnam will implement a paperless government model, with executive and administrative operations conducted in a digital environment powered by data...

Government agencies must accelerate the delivery and improve the quality of online public services, in tandem with the restructuring of administrative units, to ensure that operations remain smooth and uninterrupted. The approach must shift from citizens “requesting” services to proactively “providing” them. Within this year, biometric technology and the VNeID platform will be mandatory at all airports, seaports, and border checkpoints.

These developments are of great public interest, as they directly impact the rights and conveniences of the people. The proactive provision of services through digital platforms and in cyberspace is truly ideal because it offers remarkable convenience, cost savings, and minimizing bureaucracy, harassment, and corruption.

The application of biometric technology and the VNeID platform at airports, seaports, and border checkpoints offers significant convenience for citizens when completing mandatory procedures. In 2024, during a business trip to Singapore, I was genuinely surprised at how seamless and fully automated the immigration process was. This process was guided by clear and user-friendly instructions from machines for facial recognition and information verification.

More recently, on March 20, Da Nang International Airport officially launched its Automated Border Control System (Autogate), which significantly reduces passenger processing time for immigration procedures while enhancing safety and security through advanced biometric recognition technology.

This is clearly a vivid and practical example of digital transformation and the integration of technology into everyday life. It also demonstrates that we are fully capable of keeping pace with more advanced nations and staying aligned with the times—provided we have a well-defined strategy, clear policies, and effective solutions in place for advancing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Of course, the case of the Autogate system at Da Nang International Airport is just one example. Across many other sectors, we can also leverage science and technology, as well as digital transformation, to address long-standing challenges, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies. Applying technological solutions to reduce inconvenience, waste, and various societal limitations and negative practices will undoubtedly be welcomed by public officials, Party members, and the wider population alike.

This is entirely feasible, especially with the official launch of the National Data Association on March 22. The association’s mission is to connect regulatory bodies, businesses, organizations, and individuals working in the data sector. When information and data are utilized in a timely and purposeful manner, the benefits they bring can be immense. As General Secretary To Lam aptly put it, this is “the only path to propel national development and improve the quality of life for the people”.

Reporting by NGUYEN TRI THUC - Translating by HONG VAN