(VOVWORLD) - Upon arriving in Seoul on Sunday for a State visit to the Republic of Korea at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung, Party General Secretary To Lam attended a meeting with members of the Vietnam Innovation Network and Vietnamese experts working in the Republic of Korea. This was the second time the Party chief had personally chaired a meeting with members of the overseas Vietnam Innovation Network, following a similar meeting in the United States last year. This underscored the Party and State’s strong commitment to advancing science, technology, and innovation as drivers of Vietnam’s development in the new era.
 General Secretary To Lam meets with members of the Vietnam Innovation Network and Vietnamese experts in the Republic of Korea. (Photo: Van Hieu/VOV) |
The Vietnam Innovation Network, which operates in 22 countries and territories, connecting 2,000 experts, scientists, chief engineers, and chief architects in key industries, is a major force supporting Vietnam’s aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2045.
Talents are a vital national resource
The leadership of the Vietnamese Party and State have repeatedly stressed that science, technology, and innovation are the keys to national development, serving the mission to shape Vietnam’s future. Vietnam has been implementing breakthrough reforms in institutions, mechanisms, management thinking and operational models, placing domestic and overseas intellectuals, experts, and scientists at the core of the effort to build a comprehensive innovation ecosystem and enhance national competitiveness. This message has been strongly delivered during Party and State leaders’ overseas trips.
General Secretary To Lam said: “The world is undergoing an era-defining transformation, with the rapid advancement of science and technology. Human intellect, global civilization, and the intellectual and scientific community are of special importance. Only science, technology, and innovation can boost labor productivity, drive growth, and serve as the main foundation for Vietnam’s fast and sustainable development.”
 General Secretary To Lam meets with overseas Vietnamese intellectuals during his official visit to Singapore in March 2025 (Photo: VOV) |
Mr. Lam said high-quality human resources and the collective efforts of intellectuals, experts, and entrepreneurs at home and abroad, are the decisive factor for Vietnam’s renewal process, which lays the foundation for the country to enter the era of national rise.
The Party leader said: “The Vietnam Innovation Network in the Republic of Korea has been a bridge between domestic and international innovation ecosystems. It has connected Vietnamese experts, intellectuals, and entrepreneurs in Korea with organizations and businesses in Vietnam, spearheaded innovation initiatives, and facilitated the transfer of knowledge and expertise to bring the world’s best advancements to Vietnam. We need to strengthen solidarity and mutual support to form a unified force that can make effective contributions to national development.”
Accompanying national development
Meetings between Party and State leaders and top overseas Vietnamese scientists and intellectuals have reaffirmed Vietnam’s determination to become a powerhouse in science and technology. Initiatives including the VinFuture Prize and cooperative agreements with global tech giants are creating significant opportunities and inspiring confidence in Vietnam’s future.
Associate Professor Dr. Bui Quoc Bao, a Vietnamese scientist in France, said: “I want to contribute my small part to Vietnam’s development. Vietnam is in the process of developing and needs to learn from advanced nations, especially in science and technology. I hope to help Vietnamese intellectuals connect with the world and bring the expertise I’ve gained abroad back to Vietnam so young people can build on it.”
In recent years, the VinFuture Foundation has attracted hundreds of the world’s top scientists to Vietnam. International and domestic universities like the Vietnam–Germany University, the Vietnam–Japan University, and the Hanoi University of Science and Technology are working in partnership with the French government to train thousands of highly qualified engineers and PhDs. The National Innovation Center has been playing a key role in linking Vietnamese tech enterprises with global corporations.
These models reflect Vietnam’s open, action-oriented approach to science, technology, and innovation, fully aligned with Politburo Resolution 57 on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.
Turning science and technology into a breakthrough driver of development is a key goal and a consistent national strategy for Vietnam, which aims to harness the vast potential of intellectuals, experts, and scientists at home and abroad to realize its aspiration for a fast, sustainable, inclusive, and self-reliant nation.