PM chairs meeting on science, technology contributions to socio-economic development

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said Vietnam can no longer depend on capital and cheap labour. The only way to maintain strong double-digit growth, he said, is by boosting productivity through science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, head of the Central Steering Committee on science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation, chaired a thematic meeting in Hanoi on September 28 to explore ways these fields can contribute more effectively to socio-economic growth and to review progress from the third quarter of 2026.

3-2053.jpg
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the meeting on science, technology contributions to socio-economic development in Hanoi on September 28. (Photo: VNA)

In his opening remarks, PM Hung said the meeting aimed to concretise the implementation of the Party Central Committee’s Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW on renewing the country’s development model, alongside the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW and directions given by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam on digital transformation in the political system.

He asked participants to assess how science, technology, innovation and digital transformation have contributed to the renewal of the growth model, particularly the goal of achieving double-digit growth, and identify measures to make these contributions more substantive, effective and measurable.

As 2026 is the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, with a growth target of at least 10%, the PM noted that GDP grew 8.18% in the first half of the year. To meet the annual target, growth in the second half would need to reach nearly 12%, requiring strong efforts across all sectors.

He emphasised that although traditional growth drivers like investment, consumption, and exports are still important, Vietnam can no longer depend on capital and cheap labour. The only way to maintain strong double-digit growth, he said, is by boosting productivity through science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the meeting on science, technology contributions to socio-economic development in Hanoi on September 28. (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the meeting on science, technology contributions to socio-economic development in Hanoi on September 28. (Photo: VNA)

Resolution No. 57 sets a target for the digital economy to account for at least 30% of GDP by 2030, while total factor productivity (TFP) is expected to contribute more than 55% to growth. Therefore, science, technology, innovation and digital transformation must move beyond a supporting role to become key, direct and measurable growth drivers, particularly by raising labour productivity and the economy’s competitiveness.

After one year and nine months of implementing this resolution, institutional barriers have largely been addressed, a list of strategic technologies approved, and progress made in digital infrastructure, data and online public services. However, PM Hung noted that actual results remained below expectations and have yet to generate enough strategic products or make clear contributions to growth, labour productivity and national governance.

He identified the biggest bottleneck as not awareness, policy or resources, but implementation capacity and accountability, especially that of leaders.

The Government leader called for a shift from measuring inputs to measuring growth outcomes, focusing on labour productivity, digital technology revenue, added value and contributions to local and national economic growth rather than the number of documents, research projects or digital platforms.

He also urged ministries and localities to focus on digitalising key industries, developing the data economy and digital technology enterprises, using public procurement and investment as initial markets for new technologies, and expanding digital skills, education, healthcare and payments while ensuring cybersecurity and personal data protection.

He asked each ministry, sector and locality to identify immediate tasks, specific products, deadlines and measurable contributions to its growth targets following the meeting./.

en.vietnamplus.vn

Other News

PM orders power plan overhaul to meet double-digit growth

PM orders power plan overhaul to meet double-digit growth

Securing adequate power supply is an urgent priority and a prerequisite to successfully achieve socio-economic development goals 2026, a foundational year for accelerating progress, with breakthroughs to follow in 2027 and the goals for the full term to be delivered, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

Vietnam, China step up legislative cooperation, experience sharing

Vietnam, China step up legislative cooperation, experience sharing

Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) President Tran Thanh Man and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China Zhao Leji called for more balanced and sustainable trade, high-quality investment, modern and coordinated railway connectivity, and stronger cooperation in science and technology.

Top leader pledges support for firms, presses tech self-reliance

Top leader pledges support for firms, presses tech self-reliance

The country needs more firms that master technologies, build trusted brands and run production networks able to compete globally. Progress over the next five to 10 years must show up in productivity, job quality and market position, said top leader To Lam.

Vietnam, China to boost legislative, people-to-people exchanges

Vietnam, China to boost legislative, people-to-people exchanges

To further consolidate the three pillars of political, material and social foundations underpinning ties between the two Parties and countries, NA President Man proposed maintaining exchanges at all levels, strengthening national defence-security ties, and supporting each other’s development and international standing.

NA President visits Beijing legislative liaison station

NA President visits Beijing legislative liaison station

Praising the model of bringing legislative work closer to grassroots communities, voters and the public in Nanmofang and Beijing at large, National Assembly (NA) President Tran Thanh Man said Vietnam attaches importance to legislative work in building a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people and for the people. That includes listening to experts, intellectuals, businesses, voters and the general public, especially those directly affected by policies and laws.

Vietnam pledges to advance rule of law at home, uphold law-based global order at UN

Vietnam pledges to advance rule of law at home, uphold law-based global order at UN

As it updates its legal framework, Vietnam has also put in place rules governing digital technologies, personal data protection, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital transformation. The country upgraded its National Legal Database and expanded digital platforms to broaden access to legal information, education and aid.

NA President arrives in Beijing, beginning official visit to China

NA President arrives in Beijing, beginning official visit to China

Vietnam–China relations have continued to develop, particularly following reciprocal visits by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping.

14th Party Central Committee wraps up fourth meeting

14th Party Central Committee wraps up fourth meeting

The decisions issued at this meeting aim to strengthen leadership and implementation capacity and rally the strength of the entire nation, with the value of the plenum ultimately reflected in the issues addressed and improvements in people’s lives.

PM arrives in Vientiane, beginning official visit to Laos

PM arrives in Vientiane, beginning official visit to Laos

The visit provides an opportunity for the two Parties and Governments to reaffirm the special solidarity and faithful bond between Vietnam and Laos, a close relationship forged, tested and continuously nurtured throughout history. It also demonstrates the political resolve of the senior leaders of the two Parties and Governments to further develop the Vietnam–Laos special relationship in an increasingly substantive and effective manner.

JICA broadens support for Vietnam, from “brain circulation” to economic security

JICA broadens support for Vietnam, from “brain circulation” to economic security

PSNews — The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has identified four core pillars in its new support package assisting Vietnam's transition to a high-value growth model. Notably, the agency aims to foster "brain circulation" between Vietnam and Japan while expanding cooperation into economic security and sustainable development.

PM's Laos visit to help deepen bilateral relations

PM's Laos visit to help deepen bilateral relations

The two countries established diplomatic relations on September 5, 1962. On July 18, 1977, they signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, providing an important political and legal foundation for strengthening bilateral ties and supporting each country’s cause of national construction and defence.