'Need to create a free creative environment for intellectuals'
Speaking at the National Congress for the 2026-2031 term of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (Vusta) on the morning of August 28, Ms. Bui Thi Minh Hoai, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, emphasized Vusta's role in connecting intellectuals and bringing science and technology to life.
Ms. Hoai requested Vusta to advise and propose improvements to institutions, policies, and laws to liberate creative capacity, respect objective independence and freedom of creativity in scientific research, and honor and reward worthy contributions of intellectuals.
Vusta needs to build the Vusta Global platform, connecting all 126 member associations and affiliated science and technology organizations and a national database of scientific and technological experts and intellectuals. Vusta Global is expected to be a tool to attract intellectuals working in research institutes, universities, the private sector and Vietnamese intellectuals abroad.
The Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front proposed improving the quality and breakthrough of the association's social consulting, criticism and appraisal activities. According to her, critical opinions must be based on scientific arguments that will help agencies make policies in new economic areas such as the night-time economy, silver economy, circular economy, and green economy.
She recommended that Vusta member organizations promote applied research, transfer of science and technology, and narrow the gap between laboratory research and production practice and the market.
According to the Chairman of the Fatherland Front, Vusta needs to proactively link closely with ministries, branches and local authorities to bid and undertake public services from the government and authorities at all levels, especially in the fields of vocational training, dissemination of knowledge and techniques, biotechnology transfer, high-tech agriculture and environmental protection. "This is the path to improve the sustainable financial autonomy of associations at all levels," she said.
According to Professor and Academic Chau Van Minh, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations for the 2026-2031 term, Vusta aims to become a bridge of the "knowledge ecosystem" between the State - scientists - businesses, digital transformation and improving the quality of consulting, criticism, research, and application of science and technology.
In the period 2026-2031, consulting and criticism activities of programs, projects and schemes of the Party and State are expected to increase by 15% and the number of internationally published works increases by 10% compared to the previous period. Vusta also sets a target of about 400 projects and solutions applied to production and life. Every year, the Union of Associations plans to host at least one international event on science, technology and innovation, with the participation of Vietnamese intellectuals abroad in fields such as semiconductors and quantum.
Vusta also plans to pilot a model of linking associations in clusters to participate in national-scale scientific missions, increasing research and forecasting strategic technologies such as 6G, low-orbit satellites, semiconductors and smart chips. The Vusta Global network is oriented to connect Vietnamese intellectual groups abroad to participate in solving domestic technology problems.
Professor and Academic Chau Van Minh emphasized the need to attract young intellectuals and Vietnamese intellectuals abroad, affirming: "Gathering intellectuals is not only gathering organizationally, but more importantly gathering the intelligence, enthusiasm and beliefs of scientists."
By the end of July 2026, the Vusta system has 34 Unions of Provincial and City Associations, 92 national industry associations and 575 science and technology organizations. In the period 2021-2025, affiliated science and technology organizations mobilize a total budget of more than 5,653 billion VND. The units implemented 1,470 research topics, projects and 7,645 science and technology service contracts, contributed comments to 458 draft laws, 298 draft decrees, 335 draft circulars and proposed 2,026 policy initiatives.
At the 9th National Congress, term 2026-2031, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations elected an Executive Committee of 143 members. Professor and Academic Chau Van Minh holds the position of Chairman of the Union.
Nam Nguyen