The directive highlights that in recent years, ministries, agencies, and localities have made significant progress in implementing Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW (January 30, 2023) of the Politburo on biotechnology development, and Resolution No. 189/NQ-CP (November 16, 2023) of the Government. Awareness of biotechnology’s role has improved, and Vietnam has achieved rapid advances with notable successes in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental applications. Several important projects have been approved and launched.

However, the directive also points out shortcomings: slow implementation, fragmented investment, weak policy frameworks, limited enterprise leadership, and dependence on imported essential biological products. Industrial biotechnology has yet to reach its full potential.

Strengthening Leadership and Accountability

To overcome these challenges, the Prime Minister requires ministries, agencies, and provincial authorities to strengthen leadership, emphasize accountability, and decisively implement biotechnology development tasks outlined in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW and Resolution No. 189/NQ-CP. Progress reviews must be conducted regularly, with recognition for effective performers and strict handling of delays. Performance in biotechnology will be a key criterion for evaluating leaders and institutions.

Biotechnology development must align with Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW (December 22, 2024) on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. State resources will prioritize core and strategic technologies, national flagship products, and defense-security needs, while encouraging private sector investment in biotech industries, particularly in agriculture, environment, and manufacturing.

Policy Innovation and Pilot Models by May 2026

The Ministry of Science and Technology is tasked with urgently refining breakthrough policies and piloting new mechanisms to foster biotechnology applications in high-potential sectors. National science and technology programs will focus on advanced, core, and strategic biotech technologies. Public-private partnerships will be promoted to establish large-scale research and development centers, enhancing domestic innovation capacity.

The ministry will also lead efforts to measure biotechnology’s contribution to socio-economic development, improve national standards and regulations, and strengthen intellectual property protection.

Agriculture, Environment, and Industrial Biotechnology

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will accelerate plans to develop biotechnology into a major economic-technical sector in agriculture and environment by May 2026. Priorities include breeding climate-resilient crops and livestock, developing vaccines and bioproducts, conserving indigenous genetic resources, and building gene banks. Large-scale biotech agricultural zones will be established by December 2026, linked to value chains from research to commercialization.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will spearhead industrial biotechnology development, fostering value chains from research to market, supporting branding, and expanding exports of biotech products. Enterprises will be encouraged to master core technologies and produce high-value products.

Healthcare Biotechnology and Vaccine Autonomy

The Ministry of Health will accelerate autonomy in producing next-generation vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics, and advanced technologies such as genomics, cell therapy, and personalized 3D printing. Investments will strengthen testing, quality control, and biosafety systems, reducing reliance on imports.

Human Resources and National Security

The Ministry of Education and Training will reform curricula to develop high-quality biotech talent, linking training with enterprise needs and promoting international cooperation. The Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Public Security will advance biotech applications for national defense and biosafety, enhancing capabilities against bioterrorism and biodiversity-related crimes.

Financial Support and Foundational Research

The Ministry of Finance will allocate state budget resources and propose breakthrough financial policies to support biotech development. Meanwhile, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology will finalize proposals for fundamental research and platform technologies tailored to Vietnam’s needs, to be completed by May 2026.

The Ministry of Science and Technology will oversee and monitor implementation of the directive, reporting promptly to the Prime Minister on emerging issues.