In a landmark dialogue with Vietnamese youth, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính laid out a compelling vision for the nation’s future, emphasizing the pivotal role of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in driving sustainable development. Held under the theme ‘Vietnamese Youth Leading the Way in Science, Technology, Innovation and National Digital Transformation,’ the event gathered 300 young delegates representing over 20 million Vietnamese youth nationwide. The dialogue, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government Office, and the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union, marked both Youth Month 2025 and the 94th anniversary of the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union.
PM Chính’s remarks underscored the necessity of fostering a thriving ecosystem to support the growth of strong science and technology enterprises. He highlighted three key strategic breakthroughs essential for this ecosystem: institutional reform, strategic infrastructure development, and high-quality workforce training.
Firstly, PM Chính called for a comprehensive overhaul of the legal framework to create a more favorable business environment. “The legal framework must be improved to create a more favourable business environment,” he stated. This involves simplifying administrative procedures, reducing unnecessary intermediary steps, and promoting decentralization. By streamlining business registration and lowering compliance costs, Việt Nam can make it easier for enterprises to operate and grow.
Secondly, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of expanding development spaces to enhance land value and foster economic growth. “The expansion of development spaces is essential to enhancing land value and fostering economic growth,” he said. This includes investing in industrial zones, urban areas, service hubs, and tourism destinations, as well as strengthening digital, science and technology, and energy infrastructure. These investments will lower input costs, increase product competitiveness, and create new opportunities for businesses to thrive.
Thirdly, PM Chính stressed the development of a highly skilled workforce as crucial for improving labor productivity and ensuring Việt Nam’s ability to compete in emerging industries. “The development of a highly skilled workforce is crucial for improving labour productivity and ensuring Việt Nam’s ability to compete in emerging industries,” he said. This requires equipping workers with expertise in key sectors such as the digital and green economy, the circular and sharing economy, and the knowledge economy. By investing in education and vocational training, Việt Nam can build a dynamic and adaptable workforce capable of driving sustainable economic growth.
PM Chính also acknowledged the need to promote private sector growth, recognizing it as a key driver of economic development. The Government is working on a plan to remove barriers and create better conditions for private enterprises to thrive. He also highlighted the importance of developing fundamental sciences, noting that Việt Nam’s basic science fields have not yet developed in line with national growth demands and global trends. “Việt Nam’s basic science fields have not yet developed in line with national growth demands and global trends,” he said. To address this, the Government must implement preferential mechanisms and policies to encourage students and researchers to pursue careers in mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and key technologies.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of strengthening the teaching force and fostering a culture that values science education. “Schools provide the foundation, teachers are the driving force and students play a central role in promoting fundamental sciences,” he said. He acknowledged that many young people have pursued careers in economics, banking, and finance due to stable employment and better incomes. However, he stressed the need for policies that promote the development of fundamental science disciplines to ensure a balanced and future-oriented workforce.
Regarding international collaboration, PM Chính stated that Việt Nam is actively attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) by implementing appropriate mechanisms and policies. The country is calling for international partners to provide capital investment, transfer technology, train human resources, develop infrastructure, and enhance management capabilities. He reiterated that the Party and the State of Việt Nam have two primary objectives: safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and improving the material and spiritual well-being of the Vietnamese people.
The dialogue also recognized and honored the recipients of the Outstanding Young Faces of Việt Nam and Promising Young Faces of Việt Nam awards for 2024, celebrating their contributions to the country’s development. This event not only highlighted the achievements of young innovators but also served as a clarion call to the nation’s youth to lead the way in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
As Việt Nam navigates the complexities of the 21st century, PM Chính’s vision for a thriving ecosystem of innovation and sustainability offers a roadmap for the future. By fostering a supportive environment for business development, investing in strategic infrastructure, and nurturing a highly skilled workforce, Việt Nam is poised to become a global leader in sustainable development. The dialogue with Vietnamese youth underscores the nation’s commitment to harnessing the power of innovation to build a brighter, more resilient future.
