PM Pham Minh Chinh, who heads the Government Steering Committee on science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and Project 06, presided over the committee’s second meeting of 2026 on March 28.

The meeting was held in person at Government Headquarters and connected online with steering committees of provinces and centrally run cities.

Addressing the meeting, the Government chief said the meeting aims to review the implementation of tasks set at previous meetings and identify tasks and solutions for the coming period, while implementing directions given by Party General Secretary To Lam at an earlier meeting of the Central Steering Committee.

He said awareness of the role of science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and Project 06 has continued to improve across the political system, businesses and the public. Strategic technologies are being reviewed and refined under a new method that starts from major sectoral issues and practical needs, rather than from technology itself.

PM Chinh said key infrastructure developments in early 2026 include the inauguration of the Vietnam Space Center and the groundbreaking of the country’s first semiconductor chip manufacturing plant.

Some enterprises have mastered up to 65 core technologies, including AI cameras, 5G and unmanned aerial vehicles. At the same time, focus is being placed on training high-quality human resources, especially in fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Vietnam’s global innovation ranking has continued to improve, while cooperation with major global technology corporations has been strengthened to learn from experience, transfer technology and attract investment into research and development centres in Vietnam.

At the same time, he pointed to shortcomings, including delays in revising policies to keep pace with rapid technological development, digital infrastructure in some areas, especially remote areas, that has yet to meet requirements, and shortages of high-quality personnel in key technology sectors.

Summing up these limitations, he said: “Leaders have not been exemplary. Implementation is sluggish. Investment is scattered. Procedures are cumbersome. Human resources are lacking. There are not many enterprises. Supervision is lax. Coordination is loose. Results are modest. Transformation is limited.”

For the time ahead, the Government chief underscored the need to prioritise institutional improvement as a key breakthrough, creating a more open legal framework for innovation.

It is essential to increase the share of applications handled online, reduce inconvenience for people and businesses, accelerate the development of shared national databases, and ensure connectivity and information security. Investment in telecommunications infrastructure, 5G coverage and large data centres should continue.

He directed the establishment of a unified government-level mechanism to implement the strategic technology development programme, and requested a review and completion of the list of strategic technologies and products for submission to PM Chinh in April 2026. He proposed the establishment of a government task force on strategic technology development, to be headed by a Deputy Prime Minister, emphasizing that strategic technologies must stem from practical needs and national development requirements.

PM Chinh assigned the Ministry of Finance to coordinate with ministries and sectors in finalising incentive policies to attract major technology corporations and develop strategic technology products, particularly in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, on the basis of harmonising interests and sharing risks. He also requested continued work on legal frameworks, including draft laws on post, measurement, radio frequencies and telecommunications.

He called for faster development of digital, data and telecommunications infrastructure, and for building national and specialised databases, noting that data is a resource that must be used for development while ensuring information and cybersecurity.

PM Chinh said development in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation requires improved awareness, sufficient financial resources, exemplary leadership, proactive grassroots action, pioneering businesses, completed data systems, smooth infrastructure, interconnected systems, professional personnel, an informed society and benefits for the people, contributing to national development.

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