General Secretary To Lam Affirms: “Science and Technology is the Vital Path”
On September 29, 2025, at the National Convention Center, the ceremony celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Post and Telecommunications Sector and the 66th Anniversary of the Science and Technology Sector took place in a solemn and warm atmosphere. This significant event not only reflected on the glorious historical journey but also reaffirmed the pioneering role of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in the country’s development.
Honoring tradition, expressing gratitude to previous generations
Attending the celebration were General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, former leaders of the Party and State, ministries, sectors, along with nearly 2,700 delegates including officials, engineers, scientists, former leaders, and workers across generations. Their presence created a vibrant and united atmosphere, like a grand festival for those working in post, telecommunications, science, and technology.
Delegates spent time visiting the exhibition area, designed to represent different stages of development - from the early days of resistance against colonialism, through difficult subsidy periods, to the era of renovation and international integration. The images, artifacts, and stories illustrated the sector’s challenging yet proud journey of growth.
Particularly noteworthy was the digital museum, which attracted much attention with over 162,000 digitized personnel records, enabling individuals to easily look up information about themselves, colleagues, or former leaders. The memorial space honoring more than 10,000 martyrs from the Post and Telecommunications and Science and Technology sectors deeply moved participants, reminding them of the silent sacrifices made to protect the “lifeline of information” and to nurture the nation’s flame of knowledge.
A powerful message: Science and technology is the vital path
Delivering his keynote speech, General Secretary To Lam emphasized: “Science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation are not merely choices - they are the vital path for the country to achieve rapid and sustainable development.”
According to the General Secretary, the merger of the Post and Telecommunications and Science and Technology sectors from March 1, 2025, was a strategic decision of the Party and State, aiming to unify leadership, consolidate resources, and enhance management effectiveness. This was a crucial step to realize Resolution 57 of the Politburo, making science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation breakthrough national policies in the new stage of development.
The General Secretary highlighted three key pillars for the sector to focus on:
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Breakthrough institutions and enabling environment, The Ministry of Science and Technology, with its advisory and policy-making role, must proactively propose and improve legal systems, mechanisms, and policies that encourage innovation and promote digital transformation. Institutions should not only serve governance but also unlock resources, transforming potential into reality, and turning Vietnamese intelligence into products, technologies, and added value.
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Core technologies, digital infrastructure, and strategic industries, The sector must guide and lead in strategic high-tech fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, new materials, and nuclear energy for peaceful purposes—to ensure energy security and support green, sustainable development. At the same time, the Ministry needs to build a modern, synchronized, and secure national digital infrastructure, regarded as the central nervous system for national governance, digital economy, and digital society. “Do not chase after outdated, cheap solutions. We must leap forward, embrace cutting-edge technologies, and participate deeply in global value chains,” he reminded.
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Resources, human capital, and innovation ecosystem, The Ministry must act as a connector and coordinator to mobilize and efficiently utilize resources for science and technology. This includes increasing the share of public investment while encouraging private enterprises and venture capital funds to participate.
“The nation is standing before a historic opportunity. Science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are not merely options but the vital path for rapid and sustainable development. They are the golden key to realizing Vietnam’s aspiration to become a strong, prosperous nation by 2045,” the General Secretary affirmed, presenting the Ministry with 10 words: “Autonomy - Intelligence - Technology - Breakthrough - Integration.”
80 years of resilience and creativity
In his opening speech, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung expressed gratitude to previous generations - postal workers, scientists, and engineers - who dedicated themselves despite hardships and sacrifices to lay the foundation for Vietnam’s science, technology, and innovation.
The Minister stressed: “80 years is a long enough journey for hardship to shape character, for sacrifice to become resilience, and for achievements to turn into pride. It is 80 years of pioneering, 80 years of serving the nation, and 80 years of accompanying the people.”
He recalled remarkable milestones: from communication soldiers who kept information lines intact amid the smoke of war, to scientists such as Prof. Đặng Văn Ngữ, who successfully produced penicillin to save thousands of wounded soldiers, and Prof. Trần Đại Nghĩa, who created weapons from rudimentary materials. These legacies proved that Vietnamese intellect could shine even in the harshest conditions.
Continuing the aspiration through innovation
Representing the younger generation, Dr. Vu Hoai Nam, lecturer at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, expressed his pride in following the footsteps of his predecessors. He affirmed that Vietnamese intelligence is not inferior to the world’s, but the key lies in mechanisms and trust to foster contributions. “That very trust brought me back, to dedicate my efforts alongside colleagues for the nation,” Dr. Nam shared.
The event also witnessed the Ministry of Science and Technology launching the first patriotic emulation movement in the new phase, with six core directions. Notably: developing a knowledge economy based on digital data, making Vietnam a regional innovation hub, and enhancing national competitiveness through science, technology, and digital transformation.
Conclusion
The celebration of 80 years of the Post and Telecommunications Sector and 66 years of the Science and Technology Sector was not only an occasion of remembrance and gratitude, but also a reminder for current and future generations of their mission: to make science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation the central driving forces of national development.
As General Secretary To Lam emphasized, this is truly the “vital path” for Vietnam to enter the digital era with aspirations of strength, prosperity, solid integration, and global reach.
Source:
- VnExpress. September 29, 2025. General Secretary: Science and Technology is the Vital Path.
