Science and technology are the foundation for Vietnam to catch up, progress together, and surpass.

On the morning of May 15, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the Ceremony to celebrate Vietnam Science and Technology Day on May 18, commemorating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of Science and Technology (May 18, 1959 - May 18, 2024).

Also attending were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang; former Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem; leaders of ministries, departments, central and local agencies; international organizations, foreign agencies in Vietnam; political and social organizations; enterprises, institutes, schools, economic groups; domestic and foreign scientists; leaders and officials of the Ministry of Science and Technology of all periods.

65 years of development with the country

The Party and State always pay attention to and identify science and technology as playing an important role, being a top national policy, and have many mechanisms and policies to develop science and technology.

During 65 years of development with the country, achievements in science, technology, innovation and creativity have left historical marks in many key sectors and fields of the country, becoming the foundation and driving force for the country's sustainable development.

Scientific and technological activities have left their mark in many fields. In particular, social sciences and humanities have contributed to supplementing, explaining and clarifying the Party's viewpoints on the path to socialism in Vietnam; providing scientific arguments for the process of building and drafting Party documents and resolutions through each congress term.

Research in the field of natural sciences focuses on basic research and applied basic research in areas where Vietnam has strengths. Some fields of natural sciences have reached the advanced level of the region and the world; many modern scientific and technological achievements are quickly and widely applied in the fields of medicine, agriculture, industry, information, and construction.

Science and technology contribute over 30% of added value in agricultural production; the value of high-tech products and technology applications increased to over 40% in 2019. Vietnam has mastered technology, successfully manufactured many new equipment, production lines, and types of materials with a high localization rate; mastered many advanced technologies and techniques in disease diagnosis and treatment such as endoscopic surgery, interventional X-ray, organ transplantation, some organ transplantation techniques reaching world-class levels...

The national innovative startup ecosystem has developed strongly in localities across the country. In 2023, Vietnam will have about 3,800 innovative startups, of which 11 are valued at over 100 million USD; 208 investment funds, 84 incubators, and 35 business promotion organizations.

Vietnam's Global Innovation Index (GII) has been continuously improved. In 2023, Vietnam ranked 46th out of 132 countries/economies, ranked 4th in Southeast Asia, and maintained its 2nd position in the group of 36 lower-middle-income economies.

Along with the celebration and anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of Science and Technology, within the framework of Vietnam Science and Technology Day 2024, many events will take place such as the exhibitions "The 65-year path of innovation", "Science, technology and innovation books", "10 years of Ta Quang Buu Award" displaying achievements in science, technology and innovation; Ta Quang Buu Award Ceremony 2024; Science and Technology Journalism Award Ceremony 2023; Conference of Young Scientists and Award Ceremony of the 2024 Science Initiative Competition.

For the 2024 Ta Quang Buu Award, the Organizing Committee received 97 applications, including 76 applications in the field of natural sciences and engineering, 21 applications in the field of social sciences and humanities; 71 applications nominated for the Main Award and 26 applications nominated for the Youth Award.

According to the Organizing Committee, the number of nominations for this year's Award has doubled compared to previous years. The nominations are all of good quality, and the Award Council has selected the best works to award the Ta Quang Buu Award in 2024.

The Organizing Committee decided to award the 2024 Ta Quang Buu Prize to 2 authors: Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, with a work published in the Physical Review Letters Journal (the world's leading scientific journal in physics), demonstrating 3 breakthrough results in the research direction, which are of important significance for the development of quantum computing technology.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Manh Tri, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, with a cluster of three works published in scientific journals in the top 5% of the world in the fields of environmental engineering, toxicology, health and genetic mutation, contributing to solving the urgent global problem of environmental pollution caused by the spread of synthetic chemicals.

Presenting the awards to the winners of the 2024 Ta Quang Buu Award, speaking at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that 61 years ago, on May 18, 1963, beloved President Ho Chi Minh attended the first National Congress of the Vietnam Association for Dissemination of Science and Technology.

He advised: "Science must come from production and must return to serve production, serve the masses, in order to increase labor productivity and constantly improve people's lives, ensuring the victory of socialism... You must strive to widely spread your scientific and technical knowledge among the working people, so that the people can compete to produce more, faster, better, and cheaper...".

According to the Prime Minister, Uncle Ho's advice has become a guiding principle for the country's scientific and technological activities over the past 60 years. With many policies of the Party and State on the development of science and technology and promoting the role of intellectuals and scientists, the science and technology sector of our country has made great strides, achieved important achievements, and made practical contributions to the cause of national liberation, construction and defense.

The Prime Minister mentioned the typical achievements of science and technology through the periods such as research on drugs against malaria, infectious diseases, dermatology, surgical techniques; creation of weapons such as bazookas, grenades, mines, mortars, DKZ recoilless rifles, improvement of anti-aircraft missiles, detection of magnetic mines and magnetic bombs; or recently construction of My Thuan 2 bridge with a longer, higher, wider, more economical scale, shorter time...

The Prime Minister emphasized that science and technology must originate from practice and return to serve practice; for the benefit of the nation, the people and the people. The highest and ultimate goal of the Party and the State is to firmly protect and build the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam to become increasingly powerful and prosperous, and the people to become increasingly happy and well-off. Therefore, like all other sectors and professions, science and technology must serve the construction and protection of the Fatherland and improve the material and spiritual life of the people.

Along with that, since it was first held on May 18, 2014, Vietnam Science and Technology Day has become a festival for scientists, those working in science and technology across the country. In particular, along with the event is the awarding ceremony of the science prize named after the late Professor Ta Quang Buu - one of the founders in building and developing basic science fields in Vietnam.

Our country really needs the commitment of scientists.

Believing that "although strengths and weaknesses may vary at times, there are always heroes in science and technology in Vietnam," the Prime Minister highly appreciated and warmly congratulated the authors and scientists who were awarded the Ta Quang Buu Award in 2024. He acknowledged and commended the efforts, achievements and contributions of the team of scientists in particular and the science and technology sector in general to the country.

The Prime Minister believes that the spirit of passion for research and dedication to science and technology of previous generations continues to spread and be strongly promoted in the younger generation, especially the team of scientists today and in the future; the future owners of the country, with patriotism and national pride in their hearts, with intelligence, courage, self-reliance, high determination and efforts to rise up, will make practical contributions to the cause of developing science and technology of the country.

According to the Prime Minister, natural resources are limited, but science, technology and innovation are endless resources and can come from the simplest ideas and the most ordinary people, regardless of gender, skin color, education, age or social class.

The Prime Minister emphasized that not only scientists but everyone can contribute to the cause of science and technology from different perspectives, jobs and tasks, especially the young generation. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes that everyone will make more efforts so that science and technology, innovation and creativity can accompany the rapid and sustainable development of the country, for the bright future of the nation, for the happiness and prosperity of the people.

Frankly pointing out the limitations, shortcomings, difficulties and challenges of the country's science and technology, the Prime Minister emphasized that in today's world, under the impact of the 4th industrial revolution, science and technology have developed explosively in all fields and are profoundly changing the world. The successful lessons learned in the world, especially in Korea, Japan, China, the United States, Germany, Finland, etc., show the great role of science and technology in the development and advancement of countries.

The Prime Minister said that, clearly identifying the opportunities, advantages, difficulties and challenges, from international and practical experiences, our Party and State have advocated that "Developing and applying science and technology is the top national policy, one of the most important driving forces for socio-economic development and national defense; is a content that needs to be prioritized for investment in the activities of all sectors and levels...".

The 13th National Party Congress documents identified: "Strongly developing science and technology, innovation and digital transformation are the main driving forces for economic growth" and "Promoting national digital transformation; developing the digital economy on the basis of science and technology and innovation." The socio-economic development strategy for the 2021-2030 period affirms that human resource development associated with science and technology and innovation is one of the three strategic breakthroughs, the leading national policy for rapid and sustainable national development in the new period.

The Prime Minister said that, in the conditions of developing a socialist-oriented market economy, this is a very important driving force to promote growth, create breakthroughs in productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness; and is a vital factor in the process of "catching up, advancing together, and surpassing" in today's world.

"Developing science and technology is an objective and wise choice and it is necessary to prioritize resources for science and technology development," the Prime Minister pointed out.

To contribute to the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, promote rapid and sustainable development, further promote the role of science and technology, and innovation in all fields, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested all levels, sectors, localities, and enterprises to focus on implementing key tasks and solutions.

In particular, effectively implement the Resolutions and Conclusions of the Central Committee and the Politburo, especially Conclusion No. 69-KL/TW of the Politburo, Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW of the 11th Central Committee on developing science and technology to serve the cause of industrialization and modernization in the conditions of a socialist-oriented market economy and international integration.

The Prime Minister directed to continue perfecting the institution for science and technology development; increase attraction and diversification of resources for science and technology and innovation; strongly develop human resources for science and technology, encourage the private sector and enterprises, and enhance forms of public-private partnership to participate in training human resources for science and technology.

Focus on developing the science and technology market to contribute to creating breakthroughs in productivity, quality, efficiency, and increasing the competitiveness of the economy; persistently and boldly propose and implement outstanding policies for science and technology, including preferential policies, important employment, honor, and rewards for those working in science, technology, and innovation to arouse passion and encourage commitment in carrying out science and technology tasks.

For enterprises, the Prime Minister requested that research, development, application of science and technology and innovation must be considered as one of the important factors to improve productivity, quality, competitiveness and development of enterprises; have appropriate policies to attract prestigious Vietnamese scientists working in other countries who can make appropriate contributions to the development of domestic science through diverse cooperation mechanisms to train domestic research teams to access advanced science and technology.

Proposing scientists to continue to put national and ethnic interests above all; to be aware of the great responsibility towards the country; to acknowledge many examples of scientists' dedication to the national destiny such as scientists Tran Dai Nghia, Luong Dinh Cua..., Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that our country and our society are in great need of scientists' dedication, overcoming difficulties and obstacles to successfully carry out scientific and technological tasks, innovation and creativity, contributing to serving the Fatherland, serving the people, bringing honor and pride to individuals, families, communities, people and the country.

With the viewpoint that "Resources originate from thinking, motivation originates from innovation, strength originates from the people," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes and believes that, with the 65-year fine tradition of the science and technology sector, the team of scientists will accompany the whole country to overcome all difficulties and challenges, promote the tradition of patriotism, solidarity, unity, consensus, spirit of overcoming difficulties, passion and enthusiasm in scientific and technological research to make more and more contributions to the cause of building an increasingly powerful and prosperous Vietnam; the Vietnamese people will become increasingly prosperous and happy.