Vietnam Targets Tech Autonomy With New 2030 Strategic Cooperation Plan
The framework elevates science diplomacy to a strategic breakthrough, prioritizing national labs and AI talent to reduce foreign dependence.
Vietnam has formalized a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate its high-tech capabilities through Prime Ministerial Decision No 139/QD-TTg. Signed by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc on August 11, the "International Cooperation Strategy on Strategic Technologies to 2030" establishes a structured approach to enhancing technological autonomy and national security.
The strategy is built upon six primary solution groups designed to modernize the nation's technical infrastructure. These include creating a favorable environment for international cooperation, implementing global commitments and agreements, and enhancing access to advanced technologies. Additionally, the plan focuses on improving domestic development capacity, providing targeted support for enterprises, and establishing a robust policy advisory framework.
A Shift Toward Science Diplomacy
This policy shift elevates science and technology diplomacy to a "strategic breakthrough," placing it on equal footing with the country's economic and political-security integration. According to Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan, this approach is central to Vietnam's broader national effort to foster high-tech innovation and reduce reliance on foreign technology. The move signals a coordinated government effort to integrate scientific advancement into the core of its foreign policy.
Infrastructure and Talent Acquisition
To translate this strategy into tangible assets, Vietnam has set specific infrastructure targets for 2030. The government aims to operationalize at least eight national key laboratories specializing in 6G, robotics, biomedicine, quantum technology, and aerospace. Furthermore, the plan calls for the establishment of at least four national research and testing centers dedicated to biotechnology, advanced materials, UAVs, and high-speed or urban rail systems.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Vietnam is aggressively pursuing human capital. The government has launched the Global Vietnamese AI Expert Network, a dedicated initiative to connect and recruit AI professionals from the Vietnamese diaspora and domestic talent pools to drive innovation in artificial intelligence.
Strategic Implications
By formalizing these long-term goals, Vietnam is attempting to leapfrog traditional development stages in critical sectors. The focus on quantum computing, 6G, and AI is intended to ensure economic competitiveness and national security within an increasingly volatile global technology landscape. By leveraging both international partnerships and its global expert network, the state aims to transition from a consumer of technology to a developer of strategic assets.
Future Outlook
Observers will now watch for the actual funding and rollout of the proposed national laboratories and testing centers. While the strategic framework is now in place, the success of the 2030 goals depends on the effective operationalization of these eight key labs and the ability of the Global Vietnamese AI Expert Network to attract top-tier talent back into the national ecosystem.