The Four Pillars of a Bright Future

Dr. Tran Van Khai, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment: Handing Over the “Pioneer Flag”

The world is entering a digital era, where science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation are the bedrock of a nation’s prosperity. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, with its breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things, is shaping lives. Those who embrace it will advance, while laggards will fall behind.

In this context, Resolution 57 serves as an urgent call to arms, emphasizing that the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation are the “most important breakthroughs and main drivers” for Vietnam’s advancement, preventing the risk of being left behind. This decisive policy aims to “take shortcuts and get ahead” of global trends, providing a new impetus for Vietnam to rise.

The resolution underscores the message: Urgent action is needed to make science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation the drivers of the country’s development. This is not an empty slogan but a call for decisive action from each of us, starting today.

The highest political determination is evident with the establishment of the Central Steering Committee for Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Digital Transformation, led by the General Secretary. This is a powerful testament to the highest-level commitment. When the leader of the Party and State takes direct charge, all sectors must urgently transform the orientation of the resolution into concrete results.

For Resolution 57 to quickly become a reality, we need breakthroughs in institutions and policies.

For the institutions to truly “enable development,” we must boldly review and abolish outdated regulations that hinder innovation. Rigid regulations on the retirement age of scientists are causing many experts to leave their positions prematurely despite their ability to contribute.

This limit must be removed, allowing the utilization of talent based on actual capacity rather than age. Simultaneously, special policies to attract talent from within and outside the country with appropriate incentives should be implemented as soon as possible.

Along with this, there is a need to boldly pilot the sandbox mechanism (controlled experimentation) for new technologies to unleash creativity. The government should soon submit to the National Assembly a legal framework for sandboxing in priority areas, ensuring timely adjustment of new models and products. The state provides a conducive environment for innovation while closely monitoring to protect the community’s interests…

For the first time, the Politburo has issued a specialized resolution on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, demonstrating the highest-level commitment and igniting new faith and aspirations for the entire nation. The goals set are bold: by 2045, Vietnam aims to be among the top 30 countries in innovation and digital transformation, with a digital economy contributing 50% of GDP. This vision shows that we are not content with the present but are thinking big and aiming for global recognition.

The journey from resolution to reality will be challenging, but our belief in the Party’s wise leadership and the intelligence and resilience of the Vietnamese people is an inherent source of strength. Resolution 57 has ignited the spirit of “self-reliance, self-confidence, self-reliance, self-improvement, and national pride,” the source of all creativity.

Resolution 57 has handed us the “pioneer flag”; now it is the responsibility of the whole society to turn this resolution into measurable results, making science and technology the driving force for Vietnam’s advancement.

Prof. Dr. Mac Quoc Anh, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Hanoi Association of Small and Medium Enterprises:

Anticipating a Wave of Startups

Resolution 68 of the Politburo on the development of the private economy, along with Resolution 66 on innovating the construction and enforcement of laws, are essentially two pillars that constitute a mutually supportive institutional ecosystem for development.

Resolution 68 emphasizes: “Protecting the legitimate rights and interests of entrepreneurs and businesses; improving the investment and business environment; promoting the right to do business and equal access to resources and opportunities.”

However, without a professional, transparent, unified, and stable legal system as envisioned in Resolution 66, the goals of Resolution 68 will be challenging to achieve.

We can observe this interconnection through three aspects. Firstly, improving the law is a prerequisite for enterprise development. For example, simultaneous amendments to the Land Law, Investment Law, Real Estate Business Law, and Bidding Law will enable private enterprises to access land, capital, and public projects transparently, avoiding favoritism. Effective law enforcement is essential for business protection, especially in contract dispute resolution, execution, and safeguarding legitimate assets.

Decriminalization increases business freedom, providing a legal environment for private enterprises to thrive according to market principles, unhindered by administrative procedures or regulatory overlaps.

According to the World Bank’s 2024 Doing Business report, Vietnam ranks 70th out of 190 countries. If Resolutions 66 and 68 are effectively implemented, we can expect to improve to the top 50 in the next three years.

In this new era, the simultaneous implementation of the solutions outlined in Resolution 68 and other resolutions of the Politburo is a prerequisite for realizing the aspiration of a “prosperous and happy country,” with the private sector as an indispensable pillar.

Mr. Dau Anh Tuan, Head of the VCCI Legal Department:

Removing Barriers for a Stronger Vietnam

The Politburo’s issuance of Resolution 66 is a strategic, profound, and timely move as our country enters a new stage of development, marked by digital transformation, innovation, deep international integration, and intensifying global competition.

This context demands that we not only continue to improve our institutions but also radically transform our thinking and approaches to law-making and enforcement.

The resolution’s identification of law-making and enforcement as the “breakthrough of breakthroughs” reflects the Party’s clear and correct awareness of the fundamental and pivotal role of law in the country’s development process.

The business community, as direct stakeholders in the legal system, highly appreciates the spirit of Resolution 66. A stable, transparent, feasible, and predictable legal system will be decisive for the investment and business environment.

Conversely, overlapping, conflicting, or suddenly changing laws that lack consistent enforcement will increase compliance costs, create legal risks, and hinder the sustainable development of businesses.

We particularly agree with the resolution’s emphasis on the role of law enforcement, a long-standing weakness in the national governance system. No matter how good the laws are, if they are not seriously and consistently implemented, they will not be effective. Therefore, a comprehensive transformation in both law-making and enforcement is imperative.

Another notable aspect is the resolution’s affirmation of placing people and businesses at the center of law-making and enforcement. This is a significant step forward in state management thinking, reflecting the spirit of “People’s Mastery” in a socialist rule-of-law state.

When the institutions are improved towards transparency, stability, openness, and encouragement of creativity, a vast flow of resources will surely be unleashed: intelligence, finance, technology, and new business models. This is an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to rise strongly, enhance their competitiveness, and participate more deeply in the global value chain.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc, Former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture, Education:

Embracing the Power of the Times

Diplomacy has always been crucial in any era. Even during the anti-American resistance war, we strengthened our foreign relations. At that time, although the enemy was the American Empire, the American people who loved peace were still our friends.

Today, as we deeply integrate into global politics, economy, and civilization, diplomacy plays an even more important role.

In this new context, Resolution 59 of the Politburo has grasped the power of the times and “elevated” international integration, embodying revolutionary, breakthrough, national, scientific, and timely perspectives.

The resolution affirms that integration is a strategic driver for Vietnam to confidently step into a new era. Diplomacy holds a vital position, serving as a “bridge” connecting us to the world.

In international relations, Vietnam consistently adheres to an independent, self-reliant foreign policy, being a good friend and reliable partner of all countries, and an active and responsible member of the international community, contributing positively to common efforts for a better future for the region and the world.

Recently, we have welcomed many state leaders from other countries. Vietnam has a saying, “good land attracts birds.” Clearly, they come to connect, elevate relations, and enhance cooperation potential, affirming that our country is a promising and beautiful destination.

Through these relationships, Vietnam continues to affirm its foreign policy, always receiving the welcome and support of the international community, creating many cooperation and development opportunities. Today’s world is a connected and collaborative one, with science and technology transforming daily.

In today’s world, no one can do everything alone; we must cooperate and collaborate. To go far and develop sustainably, we must walk together, in step with humanity, not alone.