Post by : Shakul

Vietnam is accelerating efforts to improve the disbursement of science and technology funds after officials reported that spending progress remains significantly below the national average during the first months of 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung chaired a major conference in Hanoi focused on resolving financial obstacles and speeding up the implementation of public investment projects related to science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The meeting included ministers, government agencies, and representatives from several localities.

Officials revealed that the disbursement rate for science and technology investment has only reached around 14.78 percent so far in 2026, compared to the national average of more than 21 percent. The government described the pace as too slow and warned ministries and provinces to treat the issue as an urgent national priority.

Ho Quoc Dung instructed ministries, sectors, and local administrations to fundamentally resolve all remaining obstacles by June 2026 and work toward achieving a 100 percent disbursement target for the year. He stressed that science, innovation, and digital transformation are key drivers of Vietnam’s future economic growth and competitiveness.

Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan said the government has already established a legal framework to support science and technology funding. Vietnam’s total planned funding for the sector in 2026 exceeds 103 trillion Vietnamese dong, including major allocations for digital platforms, databases, and innovation projects.

Despite the large funding allocation, several localities reported challenges linked to procurement procedures, investment approvals, unclear technical standards, and delays in shared digital infrastructure systems. Some provinces also highlighted difficulties in implementing advanced projects involving artificial intelligence, big data, and digital data warehouses.

The conference heard that Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi currently lead the country in technology fund disbursement rates. Ho Chi Minh City has reached more than 32 percent disbursement while Hanoi has achieved nearly 28 percent.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that future investments must focus on strategic technologies, national databases, artificial intelligence systems, and modern research laboratories capable of creating measurable economic and technological impact. He warned against fragmented spending and called for stronger accountability among ministries and local authorities.

Vietnam’s government said it plans to continue improving regulations and financial mechanisms while ensuring that science and technology investments contribute directly to national development goals, digital transformation, and long-term economic modernization.

#world news #Policy #Technology #Vietnam