The Party leader was speaking at a meeting of the Central Steering Committee for the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, to review work and outline tasks for 2026.

Addressing the meeting, Party leader Lam, who is also head of the Central Steering Committee, underscored the foundational and core role of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in Vietnam’s national development. He said these drivers now constitute an inevitable path and a mandatory requirement for the country to achieve fast, sustainable growth and enhance national competitiveness in the coming period.

He stressed that 2026 must mark a decisive shift from administrative digitalisation to comprehensive digital transformation across production, business activities and social governance. Heads of ministries, sectors and localities, he said, must take direct responsibility for progress and effectiveness, with outcomes incorporated into performance evaluation, emulation and reward systems, as well as accountability mechanisms in cases of delay.

Commitments must be followed through, assigned tasks must produce concrete results, and responsibility must be taken to the end, said the Party General Secretary.

The Party leader called for stronger digital transformation in tandem with administrative reform, institutional streamlining and the effective operation of the two-tier local government model. This includes cutting administrative procedures and expanding the provision of online public services.

At the same time, he urged greater concentration of resources on strategic technologies, stronger commercialisation of scientific and technological products, and the development of an innovation ecosystem based on close cooperation among the State, academic institutions and enterprises.

He also warned of the risk of waste in investments in science, technology and digital transformation, noting that large-scale investment for ambitious goals must go hand in hand with high efficiency.

Without strict oversight, such investments could lead to waste of financial resources, manpower and development opportunities. Early identification of risks and preventive solutions from the outset is therefore essential, he said.

The meeting took place one year after the implementation of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57 on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. After a year, the sector has recorded important initial results, including improvements in institutional frameworks, strengthened governance structures, and more coordinated implementation at both central and local levels.

Vietnam’s national digital transformation has gained clear momentum, with notable improvements in international rankings: telecommunications infrastructure ranked 67th, internet speed 18th, e-government 71st, and cybersecurity 17th globally. The digital economy grew by 8.6%, while revenue in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry rose by 26%. Vietnam ranked 44th out of 139 economies in the Global Innovation Index, leading the lower-middle-income group. The country currently has around 4,000 innovative start-ups, including two technology unicorns.

Participants at the conference agreed that, with the engagement of the entire political system, 2025 marked a clear shift from awareness to action in the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. Vietnam, they noted, can only achieve strong and sustainable growth by building a robust, efficient and enduring science and technology ecosystem.

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