Below is Part 2 of the interview with Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung.
You emphasised that the most important distinction of Resolution 57 is output-based administration. Can you specify the targets and indicators to reveal this?
Previously, we managed science with an administrative mindset: strictly controlling inputs, down to each voucher and bill, whereas output necessities and evaluations had been neither clear nor sturdy sufficient. Consequently, the artistic area was narrowed, and scientists spent extra time on procedures than on analysis.
Resolution 57 has reset the precedence order: shifting from administration primarily based on procedures to administration primarily based on objectives and closing outcomes. The Resolution additionally emphasizes sandbox mechanism, accepting managed dangers. Without accepting danger, there will be no innovation.
This is quantified by “telling” targets and indicators:
First is the measure of development high quality, by way of the goal of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) contribution to financial development reaching over 55 %. This is a essential indicator, confirming that Vietnam’s development within the coming interval should rely primarily on productiveness, science, technology, and administration innovation, quite than persevering with to rely closely on capital and labor enlargement as earlier than.
Second is the purpose of forming at the least 5 digital technology enterprises on par with superior international locations. This means science, technology, and innovation can not develop in a rampant method. There should be focus and “locomotives” sturdy sufficient to guide the ecosystem and create a spillover pull for the whole economic system.
Third is measuring analysis outcomes by their potential to succeed in the market. The decision units a goal for the commercialization fee of analysis outcomes and innovations at 8–10 %. This represents a very clear shift from the “acceptance is the end” mindset to concerning acceptance as a technical milestone, whereas the true worth lies in utility and commercialization.
The output of science just isn’t the variety of report pages, however the variety of “Make in Vietnam” applied sciences and merchandise which can be deployed, bought out there, and resolve nationwide challenges.
Fourth is the goal of allocating at the least 3 % of complete annual state funds expenditure to science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, with gradual will increase consistent with improvement wants. At the identical time, the mechanism will shift from detailed expenditure management to funding primarily based on outcomes.
A scientific system solely really has vitality when nurtured by the market. Therefore, the Resolution units a goal for R&D expenditure at 2 % of GDP, through which funding from society accounts for over 60 %. The State performs the function of “seed capital.” When companies spend cash on science, they are going to demand actual outcomes. Market strain is essentially the most pure and efficient monitoring mechanism to understand output-based administration considering.
In 2025, MST presided over the drafting, revision, and submission to the National Assembly of 10 legal guidelines on science, technology, and innovation, seen as a main step in eradicating institutional bottlenecks. Could you clarify how these bottlenecks have been “unlocked” for analysis, innovation, and technology commercialization, particularly for enterprises?
When we converse of “institutional bottlenecks,” we’re basically referring to boundaries which have existed for a few years: extreme procedures, administration approaches biased towards course of management, restricted experimental area, and inadequate incentives in possession and exploitation of analysis outcomes.
Therefore, the National Assembly’s passage of 10 legal guidelines in science, technology, and innovation just isn’t merely about including authorized paperwork, but additionally about creating a new framework and opening new improvement area for science, technology, and innovation. Some of those legal guidelines place Vietnam amongst world pioneers, such because the Artificial Intelligence Law and the Digital Transformation Law.
The institutional unlocking this time is most evident within the innovation of science and technology administration considering. For the primary time, many rules are designed to acknowledge that the character of science, technology, and innovation actions includes danger and failure, requiring experimentation, however dangers should be managed, not eradicated by procedures.
Meanwhile, companies are additionally established as the middle of the innovation ecosystem. They usually are not merely recipients of technology, however are enabled to take part from the outset: main missions, commissioning analysis, collaborating with institutes and universities, and, critically, benefiting from clearer mechanisms on possession, exploitation, and commercialization rights for analysis outcomes, together with these fashioned with state funds funding below clear ideas. When enterprises have rights and advantages, they’re prepared to put money into R&D and stick with innovation.
Technology commercialization has been free of technical bottlenecks. Procedures for technology switch, mental property valuation, capital contribution utilizing patents, technical know-how, and analysis outcomes have been simplified to make sure smoother flows. This shortens the trail from laboratory to market, turning data into merchandise, companies, and added worth.
Thai Khang