Strategic Technology Acceleration: Assessing the Achievements of 18 Months of Resolution 57-NQ/TW Implementation

Entering the 18th month of implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, the science, technology, and digital innovation sector is showing significant development. The Ministry of Science and Technology has successfully built a solid institutional foundation, encompassing fundamental regulatory improvements such as the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as policy frameworks related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high technology.

One of the strategic achievements is the reform of the funding mechanism through the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED). Now, the research management approach is no longer based on sporadic individual projects, but rather oriented towards solving key national challenges. The Prime Minister has designated 10 strategic technology groups and 30 priority product groups as benchmarks for innovation targets up to 2030.

A breakthrough step was also taken through the principle of risk acceptance in scientific research. This policy protects scientists exploring innovative ideas as long as it is done transparently and for non-profit. The effectiveness of this policy is starting to show, marked by a 29% increase in domestic patent applications compared to the previous period.

Although the institutional foundation has been established, challenges still loom, especially in the implementation aspect. As of mid-2026, budget realization has only reached 25.9% of the total 103 trillion VND allocated. This bottleneck primarily stems from financial regulations that are not yet fully aligned with the dynamics of experimental research and technological development.

As a solution, the Government is now initiating a controlled testing mechanism (sandbox). This approach allows flexibility in procurement of strategic technology products and venture capital operations. The future focus has now shifted from mere policy refinement to real execution, where success will be measured through technology mastery and the competitiveness of innovative products in the global market.