To meet the target of 8% GDP growth in 2025 and and the goal of achieving double-digit growth in subsequent years, Resolution 57 of the Politburo mandates that R&D spending reach 2% of GDP (approximately over USD 9 billion), with over 60% coming from private sources. Additionally, at least 3% of the annual state budget (over USD 3 billion) must be set aside for science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, with this figure gradually increasing to match development demands.
However, only 103 out of 600 assigned tasks have been completed by ministries and local authorities. What needs to be done to make science and technology true catalysts for breakthroughs? How can Resolution 57 evolve from slogans into a practical action plan that propels Vietnam forward, as urged by General Secretary To Lam? These pressing questions will be addressed in The Rising Era episode titled “Investing for Breakthrough”.
The program features two distinguished guests: Dr. Nguyen Quan, the former Minister of Science and Technology, and Vu Thi Thu Ha, Director of the National Key Laboratory for Petrochemical Technology. These guests will offer multidimensional analyses of the current state of science and technology development in Vietnam.
“Even with money, it’s sometimes impossible to buy what you need” – a the painful truth that many Vietnamese scientists face today. The program The Rising Era will shed light on the systemic barriers that restrict researchers, including inflexible salary structures, limited access to research projects, and an overall lack of risk tolerance in the scientific environment. Although the National Assembly has approved a mechanism allowing for the immediate commercialization of research findings from universities and institutes, the question remains: Can this policy be implemented quickly and effectively?
The program will also explore Resolutions 03 and 71 by the Government, as well as Resolution 193 by the National Assembly, which outlines special policies intended to foster innovation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. A key highlight will be the directive by General Secretary To Lam to adjust the 2025 national budget, allocating at least 3% of total spending for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The program will also present the practical impact of these policies on Vietnam's technological development, along with the real-world roadblocks that hinder progress.
Notably, the show will emphasize that scientific research is not limited to schools and institutes; enterprises are also driving it. A “quick Q&A” segment will spotlight striking statistics on private-sector R&D, while also addressing enduring issues, including rigid bidding regulations, cash limitations, and the difficulty of disbursing allocated funds. Both large state-owned corporations and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) will be featured, revealing common problems such as rigid financial frameworks, cumbersome procurement processes, and lengthy approval procedures for scientific products and intellectual property protection.
In addition, the program will provide global case studies, highlighting how countries like the United States, Singapore, Japan, and especially China—which has evolved from the “world’s factory” into a science and technology powerhouse—have achieved success by making sustained investments in fundamental research, talent cultivation, and infrastructure development.
Tune in to The Rising Era at 8:10 PM on June 4 on VTV1!
