On January 13 in Hanoi, the Politburo and the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam convened a national conference to accelerate breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

Attendees included General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and many other current and former Party and State leaders.

The conference was held both in-person at the central venue of the Dien Hong Hall in the National Assembly Building and via online platforms connecting Party committees, ministries, and local authorities across the country.

The conference reviewed the implementation of resolutions from the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Central Secretariat regarding scientific and technological development. It also introduced and promoted the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, issued on December 22, 2024, by the Politburo, aiming to foster innovation and digital transformation nationwide.

Key announcements and leadership appointments

During the conference, the Politburo announced the formation of the Central Steering Committee on the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation. This committee, comprising 19 members, is chaired by General Secretary To Lam.

The committee’s deputy leaders include Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Permanent Member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, Central Office Chief Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Central Economic Commission Head Tran Luu Quang, and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai.

Other members include prominent officials such as the heads of the Central Organization Commission, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Central Propaganda Commission, alongside key ministers from national defense, public security, education, finance, planning, information, and technology sectors.

Committee responsibilities

The committee will report to the Politburo and the Central Secretariat, guiding the implementation of breakthrough measures to advance science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Its responsibilities include:

Proposing strategic policies and legal frameworks to the Politburo and the Central Secretariat.

Coordinating with Party organizations and monitoring the implementation of Party resolutions and State laws related to science, technology, and digital transformation.

Reviewing and recommending revisions to administrative procedures affecting scientific and technological development.

Ensuring strict oversight and accountability for organizations or individuals delaying or obstructing these initiatives.

Promoting public communication on national goals in science, technology, and innovation while addressing misinformation that may harm national interests.

Periodically reporting to the Politburo and the Central Secretariat on the progress and outcomes of the committee’s efforts.

Resolution No. 57 and its vision

On December 22, 2024, General Secretary To Lam issued Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, outlining national priorities for advancing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The resolution underscores that investing in these areas is critical for Vietnam’s development and achieving its goals for 2030 and 2045.

The outlined targets include ensuring the digital economy accounts for at least 30% of GDP by 2030 and 50% by 2045.

Additionally, Vietnam aims to become a leading hub for industrial and digital technology in the region and globally, ranking among the top 30 countries in innovation and digital transformation.

Trong Dat