The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) will host a series of nationwide activities in celebration of Vietnam Science and Technology Day on May 18, aimed at honoring scientists, scientific and technological staff, and promoting the application of scientific, technological, and innovative achievements, as well as digital transformation.

These activities are intended to ignite a passion for creative labor and scientific research among all segments of society, contributing to breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

MoST will also promote emulation campaigns to discover, nurture, and commend outstanding individuals and groups in organizations and agencies for their contributions to socio-economic development, creating new momentum for ministries and sectors during this new phase.

The 2025 celebrations will emphasize meaningful, practical, and cost-effective initiatives that resonate widely across society. Information technology and digital tools will be heavily utilized to connect and amplify the message: “Science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are key drivers to enhancing national competitiveness, promoting socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, and improving people’s quality of life.” Activities will engage both domestic participants and Vietnamese scientists abroad.

The ministry will organize seminars on information technology and digital transformation and enhance the effectiveness of the National Science and Technology Development Fund.

Additionally, the ministry will launch movements to honor organizations and individuals with exceptional contributions to science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The main event, “Vietnam Science and Technology Day Festival,” will be broadcast live at 2 PM on May 16 via the MoST portal (https://www.most.gov.vn/vn), as well as on Vietnamnet.vn, Vnexpress.net, and the official fanpages of Vietnamnet and VnExpress.

Earlier, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that innovation allows Vietnam to leverage global scientific and technological achievements and localize them for domestic application. He likened innovation to a “magic wand” that brings global technology closer to Vietnam’s reality.

Minister Hung described creativity as the ability to conceive new, unique, and imaginative ideas. Creativity, he noted, occurs across all disciplines - from thinking and the arts to science and design - and belongs to everyone, not just experts. “Creativity is universal,” he said. “It can exist in our minds or on paper, even without a lab.”

Innovation, in contrast, is the process of transforming ideas into practical solutions. It involves changes in processes, technology, organizational models, and business strategies, and is tied to experimentation, deployment, and real-world impact. Innovation, he added, is often driven by businesses and institutions.

Minister Hung revealed that the Politburo has assigned the ministry to draft a National Startup Strategy. This strategy aims to embed innovation in everyday life, making it a national lifestyle and encouraging exploration, tolerance of failure, and a culture of creativity.

Science and technology deliver real-world value depending on how well innovation is applied. During this phase, innovation will be prioritized to accelerate national development.

While core scientific knowledge may be similar across nations, innovation varies and directly drives competitiveness and economic growth - especially in developing countries. Mastering core technologies may still be a challenge, but creatively applying them to Vietnam’s unique issues is achievable and essential.

Minister Hung emphasized two key strengths of the Vietnamese people: strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) thinking and practical application skills - both fundamental to science, innovation, and digital transformation. He called innovation a driving force and a strategy for shaping the future, asserting that science and technology efforts should target Vietnam’s major national challenges.

To make innovation and creativity nationwide movements, Vietnam must undergo comprehensive digital transformation, digitizing the physical world and moving all activities into a digital space. “The digital environment is ideal for realizing ideas quickly,” he said, “as it transcends physical constraints.”

“In Vietnam, the greatest potential is unleashed when movements become nationwide - from wartime resistance to economic reform, education, and now digital transformation,” Minister Hung added.

“This is a distinctive cultural and social strength that must serve as a pillar in the national innovation strategy. A strategy grounded in culture is destined to succeed, while one lacking cultural roots is likely to fail.”

Thai Khang