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| Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology |
The S&T sector is focusing on the formation of S&T enterprises. Could you explain why this activity is being prioritized?
According to the 2013 Law on Science and Technology, S&T enterprises are entities engaged in production and business activities based on results of scientific research and technological development. These are not just ordinary businesses; yet they are organizations capable of rapid growth, strong innovation, and adept at leveraging knowledge, intellectual property, and business models grounded in research and development (R&D).
Because of this, S&T enterprises are considered the fastest bridge to bring research results into production and business, contributing to the knowledge economy and sustainable development. In the context of Resolution 57 of the Politburo, which identifies science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as crucial driving forces for development, the role of S&T enterprises becomes even more significant.
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| Inspecting the practices of researching and applying scientific and technological outcomes in production at Cong Thanh Company |
Specifically, the Party Committee of Hue City has set a target that the City must have more than 20 S&T enterprises by 2030. The City’s People’s Committee has also tasked the S&T sector with forming at least 10 to 15 S&T enterprises from now until the end of 2025.
What is the current status of S&T enterprise development in Hue City, and do you think that this year’s target is feasible?
Since 2017, Hue City has certified six S&T enterprises. In April 2025, we issued one more certificate, and we’ve submitted two additional applications for approval, which belong to YesHue and HUSCI JSC, a unit under the University of Sciences, Hue University. That brings the current total to seven certified enterprises. From now until the end of the year, we aim to promote and facilitate the establishment of around 10 more S&T enterprises. The minimum goal is to reach 15 certified S&T enterprises by the end of 2025, as requested by the City’s People’s Committee.
Is that number relatively high or low compared to the national average and Hue City’s potential?
Frankly speaking, considering Hue City’s strengths - including a network of research institutes and universities, along with a rich intellectual workforce - having only seven certified S&T enterprises is modest. However, when compared to the national average, it’s not particularly low. According to Prime Minister’s Decision 418/QD-TTg, the national goal for 2020 was to have 5,000 S&T enterprises. Yet by that time, only 538 had been certified - just over 10% of the target. By 2023, this number rose to only 816, about 16.3%. So, while Hue City’s efforts are commendable, there’s clearly still untapped potential.
So what are the criteria for being certified as an S&T enterprise, and could strict standards be a reason for the lack of enthusiasm among businesses?
According to Government Decree 13/2019/ND-CP on S&T enterprises, there are three main criteria for certification: the enterprise must be legally established and operating under the Enterprise Law; it must be capable of creating or applying scientific and technological outcomes that are officially assessed and recognized by a competent authority; and at least 30% of its total revenue must come from products derived from these S&T outcomes. Additionally, newly established businesses (less than five years old) may also be considered if they meet the corresponding criteria.
Fundamentally, the criteria are not excessively strict. The main challenge lies in proving legal ownership or usage rights over research results and demonstrating the R&D and technology mastery process. Not every business is willing to disclose proprietary technology or has the legal and administrative capability to complete these procedures. Moreover, there are still lingering issues with policies on land use, tax, and credit incentives that deter some businesses.
Another obstacle is the limited ability of many enterprises to effectively commercialize products. There are also gaps in collaboration, technology transfer, and policy implementation, which are not yet synchronized or timely. These “bottlenecks” have made enterprises hesitant to register and develop under the S&T model.
What are the sector’s expectations for S&T enterprises, especially in the process of implementing the Politburo’s Resolution 57?
We always see S&T enterprises as the “center” and the fastest bridge to bring research and technological applications into production - essentially transforming knowledge and technology into tangible economic value. They play a crucial role in socio-economic development.
As we intensify efforts to implement Resolution 57 of the Politburo, developing S&T enterprises is more critical than ever. With a mindset of readiness, proactivity, and close collaboration, our sector aims to support businesses not just through certification, but throughout the entire journey - from nurturing ideas and developing technology to entering markets and utilizing incentive policies.
With strong leadership from the City and active coordination from our Department, we’re committed to carrying out specific tasks and solutions to ensure that Hue City will have at least 15 well-functioning and high-quality S&T enterprises by the end of 2025.
Thank you very much!