Industry and trade sector proactively implements strategic technology development tasks

Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Political Bureau on breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation clearly states the need to achieve rapid and sustainable development while gradually achieving technological self-reliance, particularly in strategic technologies, and to prioritize national resources for the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.

At the same time, the Resolution calls for maximizing Vietnam’s potential and intellectual resources while quickly absorbing, mastering and applying the world’s advanced scientific and technological achievements; promoting applied research, with due attention paid to basic research, toward achieving technological self-reliance and competitiveness in a number of fields where Vietnam has demand, potential and advantages.

In recent years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has actively implemented strategic technology development tasks, closely following the Party and State’s guidelines and responding to the country’s new development requirements. Following the implementation of Decision No. 1131/QD-TTg promulgating the List of Strategic Technologies and Strategic Technology Products, the Ministry of Industry and Trade promptly issued a plan and documents providing guidance and urging groups, corporations, institutes, universities and units to proactively carry out relevant tasks.

On April 30, 2026, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 21/2026/QD-TTg, replacing Decision No. 1131/QD-TTg, which restructured the list toward greater focus, comprising 10 groups of strategic technologies and 30 strategic technology products.

In addition, under Decision No. 808/QD-TTg dated May 6, 2026 on assigning tasks for strategic technology development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade was assigned three major tasks associated with three pillars: First, ensuring energy security to support high growth and modernizing the electricity and green fuel systems toward greater intelligence and self-reliance. Second, achieving industrial self-reliance, increasing localization rates and upgrading green, smart and high-value-added production value chains. Third, modernizing domestic and international trade through data, smart logistics and reliable supply chains. Accordingly, six technologies and 16 strategic technology products have been identified.

It can be said that based on these three major tasks, an ecosystem of strategic technologies and strategic technology products has been identified, providing a basis for selecting core enterprises, developing key tasks and mobilizing resources for implementation in the coming period. These are not merely development objectives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade but also issues of fundamental importance to the country’s industrialization and modernization process.

To implement Decision No. 808/QD-TTg and the guidance of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Trade registered six strategic technology development tasks for 2026, focusing on four groups with clear practical demand: Digital Twin for the power system (one task); medium- and high-voltage switchgear (two tasks); industrial robots/AI (two tasks); and carbon nanotube materials (one task).

Groups and enterprises in the industry and trade sector have proactively implemented strategic technology development tasks, rapidly shifting from the application of individual technologies toward the formation of portfolios of strategic technologies and products associated with operations, production and the market.

Notable results include VinachemMart, Vinachem Agriculture; technical rubber; high-purity chemicals such as H2SO4 and H3PO4; mining automation by TKV; smart production platforms at PVN, EVN, TKV and Vinatex; and “Made by EVN” products, which have generated internal efficiency and achieved relatively clear operational and commercialization results.

Specialized AI products, AI cameras with edge processing, Sodium-ion batteries/BESS, Mini ROVs, Reclosers/LBS, two-arm industrial robots, digital twins for power system operations and production trials of CNTs have undergone field pilots and may move to the next stage in 2026-2027. Meanwhile, green hydrogen, SAF, CCUS, deep processing of minerals and rare earths, and high-efficiency electric machines and drives are currently at the preparation and research stage.

Overall, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is closely implementing the tasks assigned by the Prime Minister, with coordinated implementation across all six strategic technologies and 16 strategic technology products. In addition, the Ministry is actively developing and completing the system of Vietnamese Standards (TCVNs) and National Technical Regulations (QCVNs).

On June 14, 2026, the Ministry of Science and Technology issued Decision No. 2778/QD-BKHCN promulgating the List of national, international, regional and foreign standards for strategic technology products, comprising 3,030 standards associated with strategic technology products. The Authority for Innovation, Green Transition and Industry Promotion has put forward a number of solutions, including developing and completing the database on strategic technologies and strategic technology products, serving as a foundation for research, development, investment attraction and technology application.

Meanwhile, the Commission for the Standards, Metrology and Quality of Viet Nam (STAMEQ) has been actively involved in developing and completing the system of Vietnamese Standards (TCVNs) and National Technical Regulations (QCVNs), contributing to the establishment of a technical and legal foundation for the development and application of strategic technologies.