Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW: A Lever for the Breakthrough of Science and Technology

Dr. Le Thi Nga

University of Law, Hue University

On December 22, 2024, General Secretary To Lam signed and issued Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. The resolution affirms the Party’s strategic vision for science and technology and defines the role and responsibility of scientists in the country’s development.

To implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW in practice, on January 9, 2025, the Government issued Resolution No. 03/NQ-CP, promulgating the Government’s action program to implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

1. Perspectives, Objectives, and Contents of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW and Resolution No. 03/NQ-CP

Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, with the guiding perspective of placing science and technology (S&T), innovation (IN), and digital transformation (DT) at the center – as a breakthrough factor of paramount importance – which serves the main driving force for rapidly developing modern productive forces, perfecting production relations, and innovating the national governance approach in the process of national development.

The resolution clearly defines the objectives to be achieved by 2030 (including five specific goals) and a vision for 2045, in which S&T, IN, and DT will develop sustainably, contributing to making Vietnam a developed country with high income.

To achieve the above objectives, the resolution identifies seven groups of tasks and solutions, including:

1. Enhancing awareness, making breakthroughs in renewing thinking, determining strong political will, resolutely leading and directing, and creating new momentum and new spirit across society for the development of S&T, IN, and DT at the national level.
2. Urgently and decisively improving institutions; eliminating all outdated mindsets, concepts, and barriers hindering development; turning institutions into a competitive advantage in developing S&T, IN, and DT.
3. Strengthening investment and improving infrastructure for national S&T, IN, and DT.
4. Developing and prioritizing high-quality human resources to meet the development requirements of S&T, IN, and DT at the national level.
5. Promoting DT, applying S&T, and IN in the operations of agencies within the political system; improving the efficiency of national governance, the effectiveness of state management across various sectors, and ensuring national defense and security.
6. Strongly promoting S&T, IN, and DT activities in enterprises.
7. Enhancing international cooperation in developing S&T, IN, and DT.

To implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW in practice, on January 9, 2025, the Government issued Resolution No. 03/NQ-CP on the Action Program for implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, with seven groups of specific solutions and tasks aimed at realizing the objective of making national S&T, IN, and DT the foremost breakthrough for the country’s development in the new era, following the spirit of “Five Clarities: Clear responsibility, clear tasks, clear accountability, clear timeline, and clear outcomes” specifically as follows:

• The first group, with 15 specific tasks, aims to define political determination, resolutely lead and direct, creating new momentum and a new spirit across society towards the development of S&T, IN, and DT, thereby enhancing awareness and making breakthroughs in renewing thinking.
• The second group, with 28 tasks, focuses on improving institutions, eliminating outdated mindsets, concepts, and barriers that hinder development; turning institutions into a competitive advantage in developing S&T, IN, and DT. The primary tasks are to review overlapping, contradictory, and inadequate regulations, supplement provisions suitable to practical needs, creating a reasonable, comprehensive, transparent, feasible, and unified legal framework for S&T, IN, and DT activities. Accordingly, the priority is amending the 2013 Law on Science and Technology and related laws within the draft Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation.
• The third group, with 34 specific tasks, aims to strengthen investment in infrastructure for S&T, IN, and DT. The priority is establishing a legal framework and a proposal to form a Strategic Industrial Development Investment Fund, increasing the state budget for S&T to support research in strategic technologies. The goal is that by 2030, at least five major projects and programs in fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital technology, smart factories, and smart cities will be implemented. Additionally, this includes reviewing, investing in, and developing national research centers, testing centers, key national laboratories, and a National Data Center, modernizing digital infrastructure, telecommunications, Internet, physical-digital infrastructure, digital utilities, national digital platforms, and shared digital platforms across industries and sectors. Developing a Digital Economy and Digital Society Development Program and a Proposal for the Application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in key sectors such as manufacturing, commerce, energy, smart agriculture, intelligent transportation, and innovative healthcare; nationwide 5G telecommunications coverage and strong development of Starlink.
• The fourth group, with 12 specific tasks, aims to develop and prioritize high-quality human resources and talents to meet the development requirements of S&T, IN, and DT, with the goal of building a workforce that is both sufficient in quantity and high in quality, meeting the increasingly stringent demands of the digital era.
• The fifth group, with 27 tasks, focuses on accelerating DT, applying S&T and IN in the operations of agencies within the political system, and improving national governance efficiency and the effectiveness of state management across various sectors while ensuring national defense and security.
• The sixth group, with 16 specific tasks, aims to vigorously promote S&T, IN, and DT activities in enterprises. This includes Developing a proposal to support and develop digital technology enterprises; Formulating a proposal to establish large-scale strategic technology enterprises domestically; Promoting the development of digital technology industrial parks and centralized information technology industrial zones; Strengthening the attraction of FDI projects for research and development (R&D); Establishing mechanisms and policies to encourage and promote technology startups, IN, and DT; Building an ecosystem for startups and innovation; Formulating support policies for the DT of SMEs, cooperatives, and household businesses.
• The seventh group, with 9 specific tasks, aims to enhance international cooperation in developing S&T, IN, and DT. This includes Focusing on developing programs and action plans for economic diplomacy linked to attracting investment in S&T, IN, and DT; Promoting Vietnam’s participation in global efforts for sustainable development in S&T, IN, and DT; Strengthening international cooperation in S&T, IN, and DT to create digital products and services that align with both domestic and global demands.

The above contents clearly reflect the guiding perspectives, consistent stance, and new approach of the Party regarding the role of science and technology in the new era of national development. This resolution serves as a “lever” for the country’s scientific and technological advancement.

2. Golden opportunity for scientific and technological development

Throughout the stages of the country’s development, science and technology have always been identified as a key factor. This is clearly reflected in the Constitution – the Basic Law of the country[1]. With the above consistent viewpoint, even in the most challenging periods of the country, namely the war period, the post-war period of siege, embargo, and challenging economic conditions, our country’s science and technology still achieved remarkable achievements. Especially in recent years, entering the integration stage, the contributions of science and technology to Vietnam’s development in many fields have been undeniable. The achievements in science and technology in the stages of development, especially from the stage of “Doi Moi”, have affirmed the correctness of the guidelines and policies of the Party and the State in the development of science and technology and the joint efforts of the whole political system with active participation and coordination—the initiative of ministries, branches, localities, and enterprises. However, alongside these achievements, it is undeniable that the development of science and technology still has limitations and has yet to fully meet the demands of progress or the trust placed by the Party, the State, and the people in the scientific community. The issuance of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, regarded as the “Resolution for the Liberation of Scientific Thinking” and Resolution No. 03/NQ-CP, known as the “Resolution of Action” sets forth concrete goals, transforming mindsets and approaches to implement the Party’s policies. These resolutions aim to remove barriers, unleash potential, and create breakthroughs in the development of S&T, IN, and DT, which serve as a crucial driving force in advancing national development in the new era.

By recognizing S&T as a key component of strategic breakthroughs for socio-economic development—not merely as an “economic sector” but as a mission and duty to drive the advancement of modern productive forces—S&T is positioned to contribute directly and effectively to the country’s rapid and sustainable development. Through an awareness of means of production and production relations in the context of a changing society and global trends such as globalization, supply chain shifts, and intensified technological competition among nations, Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW and Resolution No. 03/NQ-CP demonstrate foresight and adaptability to global trends and international integration.

These resolutions directly address contemporary issues such as big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and regulatory sandboxes for emerging technologies. They aim to remove bottlenecks and constraints and accelerate the integration of new and strategic technologies into practical applications as swiftly as possible. Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW serves as both a call to action and a mandate for the entire intellectual community, scientists, and all segments of society to engage in scientific research, the application of new technologies, and digital transformation. Its ultimate aim is to develop productive forces, refine production relations, enhance labor productivity and national competitiveness, and drive the country’s socio-economic development.

In the broader development trajectory, given the city’s unique characteristics, S&T, IN, and DT serve as the “golden key” to sustainable growth—an essential factor for the city’s progress. These elements enable the city to overcome challenges, preserve, and effectively utilize its distinctive values, ultimately realizing the vision set by Resolution No. 54/NQ-TW (dated December 10, 2019): “A centrally governed city built on the foundation of preserving and promoting the heritage values of the Imperial Capital and the cultural identity of Huế, characterized by culture, heritage, ecology, landscape, environmental friendliness, and smart development” in harmony with the country’s overall growth.

The advancement of S&T, IN, and DT is the key vehicle to achieve this goal. Breakthroughs and innovation act as transformative forces that can drive revolutionary progress, enabling the city to transcend current barriers and limitations and achieve outstanding and extraordinary results. Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW not only removes longstanding “barriers” but also creates opportunities for Vietnam’s science and technology sector, particularly in Huế, to move closer to international standards. Now more than ever, the Vietnamese scientific community, including Huế’s substantial pool of scientific talent, stands before a “golden opportunity” to assert its position and contribute its intellect and efforts to the development of the nation and humanity.

[1] The 1980, 1992 and 2023 constitutions of our country all have a separate article regulating the Science – Technology policy.

References:

https://datafiles.chinhphu.vn/cpp/files/vbpq/2025/01/03-cp.signed.pdf

https://xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn/toan-van-nghi-quyet-ve-dot-pha-phat-trien-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-doi-moi-sang-tao-va-chuyen-doi-so-quoc-gia-119241224180048642.htm