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On April 22, 2026, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chaired a working session with the Ministry of Science and Technology on implementing tasks related to science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation under Resolution 57-NQ/TW, Conclusions 18-KL/TW of the Party Central Committee, and other guidance from the Central Steering Committee and the Government Steering Committee.
According to reports, in 2025 Vietnam had 53 science and technology organizations at regional and international levels, six high-tech zones, and high-tech product export share of nearly 50%. Vietnam ranked 44th out of 139 countries in the Global Innovation Index, while the startup ecosystem ranked 55th globally.
On digital infrastructure, by the end of March 2026, 5G population coverage reached 91.9%, with more than 22.4 million subscribers. Mobile internet speed ranked 14th in the world, fixed internet ranked 9th, and IPv6 infrastructure ranked 7th.
In the digital economy, the number of digital technology enterprises increased sharply, adding 1,394 enterprises. Exports of digital technology products were estimated at over USD 45 billion, up 32.2%. The export value of digital technology products was estimated at USD 172 billion, while e-commerce reached USD 36 billion—three times the 2020 level.
The total budget for science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in 2026 approved by the National Assembly is 65,020 billion dong, including 30,720 billion dong for current expenditures and 34,300 billion dong for development investment. To date, 92.27% of current expenditures and 68.58% of development investment have been allocated; the remaining amounts are under review for allocation.
In concluding remarks, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung praised the Ministry of Science and Technology for completing the basic policy framework and mechanisms under Resolution 57 and for making progress in infrastructure, technology, science and technology, and innovation. However, he noted delays in implementation and gaps in policy frameworks and guidelines in some areas, including the fact that some guiding documents for laws have not yet been issued.
He also pointed to obstacles in mechanisms for mobilizing social resources, PPP, outsourcing, assignment, and the use of funds. The link between research, application, training, and the market remains weak, and commercialization of research results, development of technology enterprises and startup ecosystems, and the development of the science-technology market have not met requirements.
Digital infrastructure, data infrastructure, platform infrastructure, strategic technologies, and high-quality human resources were also described as facing major bottlenecks. The development of a data ecosystem, data sharing, and the use of data to support governance, administration, and socio-economic development were said to be not yet synchronized.
The Prime Minister set near-term directions including prioritizing resources and increasing the share of spending on strategic high-tech and core technologies in the total annual state budget, as required by Resolution 57 (at least 3% of the total state budget annually for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation).
He requested that Vietnam master core technologies and prioritize absorption, transfer, and mastery of foundational technologies, advanced technologies, strategic technologies, core technologies, and digital technologies. He also called for managing and promoting the development of digital assets and healthy, effective digital currency.
On digital transformation, he emphasized targets including: the share of the digital economy in GDP reaching 30%; the proportion of enterprises engaged in innovation exceeding 40%; and annual e-commerce revenue growth of 23–25%. He also required ensuring that 100% of public services are online, alongside training and developing high-quality human resources for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
He further directed a shift from a grant-based mechanism to a demand-driven model with outputs-based tasks, removing barriers to risk-taking while maintaining controlled risk through a sandbox approach in research.
For April 2026, immediate tasks include: promptly completing 16 overdue tasks; issuing three decrees and two Prime Ministerial decisions guiding the Digital Transformation Law and the AI Law; coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to finalize guidelines on the use of state budget funds for science and technology projects, innovation, and digital transformation; ensuring the shift from grants to outputs-based contracting; and introducing a controlled risk sandbox in research.
For tasks to be completed in Q2 2026, the Ministry of Science and Technology is required to coordinate with the Policy, Strategy Department and relevant agencies to build a resolution on the country’s development model in the new period based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation for consideration by the 3rd Central Committee meeting.
The Prime Minister also demanded a decisive restructuring of research infrastructure and the innovation ecosystem, including comprehensive restructuring of 16 national key laboratories; issuing breakthrough mechanisms for the Science and Technology Exchange Platform; supporting IP valuation costs and IP registration costs; and establishing working groups to directly support several breakthrough initiatives to build social trust.
He requested that criteria to recognize innovation centers and innovative enterprises be issued by May 2026.
On other key tasks, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the Ministry of Science and Technology to focus on implementing proposals submitted to the Politburo and the Secretariat, especially in the field of nuclear energy, tasks in the 2026 Work Program, and other Government guidance.
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