THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM ——–	THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM Independence – Freedom – Happiness —————
No: 262/2025/ND-CP	Hanoi, October 14, 2025

DECREE

ON ELABORATING AND PROVIDING GUIDANCE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION REGARDING INFORMATION, STATISTICS, ASSESSMENT, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND GENERAL ISSUES

Pursuant to Law on Government Organization No. 63/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation No. 93/2025/QH15;

At the request of the Minister of Science and Technology;

The Government hereby issues a Decree elaborating and providing guidance on implementation of the law on Science, Technology and Innovation on information, statistics, assessment, digital transformation and general issues.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope

This Decree elaborates Articles 8, 12, 19, 20, Clause 2, Article 42, Article 43, Clause 1, Article 45, Article 47 of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation on scientific integrity and professional ethics in scientific research and technology development ; scientific journals; assessment of science, technology, and innovation strategies, policies, plans, organizations, and programs; digital transformation in science, technology, and innovation activities; types of organizations engaging in science, technology and innovation; science and technology organizations; establishment, reorganization, and dissolution of public science and technology organizations; recognition of research and development centers and guidance on the implementation of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation on information, statistics on science, technology, and innovation.

Article 2. Regulated entities

This Decree applies to organizations and individuals engaging in science, technology and innovation activities in Vietnam, and relevant state authorities, organizations and individuals.

Article 3. Term interpretation

For the purpose of this Decree, the terms below shall be construed as follows:

1. Scientific Integrity refers to the requirements for honesty, truthfulness, responsibility, fairness, and transparency in the scientific research and technology development activities of individuals engaging in science and technology.

2. Professional ethics in scientific research and technology development is a set of principles and standards regarding honesty, transparency, fairness, objectivity, and respect for humans and society that researchers must adhere to during the process of scientific research and technology development.

3. Science and technology organizations with foreign capital are science and technology organizations established by foreign organizations or individuals, or established in cooperation with Vietnamese organizations or individuals within Vietnam.

4. Scientific, technological, and innovation information refers to data, facts, figures, and news generated in the activities of science, technology, and innovation.

5. Science, technology, and innovation statistics is the use of a system of methods to collect, process, and analyze data related to science, technology, and innovation activities to serve forecasting and decision-making processes.

6. Scientific assessment is the systematic review and analysis, reporting and objective assessment of the results, effectiveness and impact of science, technology, and innovation activities.

7. Result assessment is the measurement and analysis of the extent to which the objectives and targets set out in plans or tasks have been achieved.

8. Efficiency assessment is the measurement and analysis of the reasonableness and optimization in the use of resources relative to the objectives and results achieved.

9. Impact assessment is the measurement and analysis of the long-term effects that a science, technology, and innovation program, plan, or task has on the economy, society, environment, or specific specialized fields.

10. Double-blind review is a form of reviewing and assessing a scientific manuscript in which both the reviewer and the author remain anonymous to each other throughout the review process.

Article 4. Scientific integrity in scientific research and technology development

Individuals engaging in scientific research and technology development must comply with the following principles of scientific integrity:

1. Honesty in proposing, conducting, publishing, and applying research results.

2. Objectivity and transparency in the process of research design, data collection, analysis, processing, and assessment of research results.

3. Respect for intellectual property rights and full, accurate acknowledgment of contributions from individuals and organizations involved.

4. Accountability for research results to the presiding organization, funding agencies, the scientific community, and society upon request.

Article 5. Professional ethics in scientific research and technology development

Individuals engaging in scientific research and technology development must adhere to the following principles of professional ethics:

1. Complying with the law, not causing harm to society and the environment, and not violating humanitarian values.

2. Respecting, ensuring the safety and dignity of research subjects, especially human subjects. Not infringing upon the rights and interests of research subjects.

3. Protecting the confidentiality and the privacy of research subjects.

4. Not taking advantage of research resources for personal purposes.

5. Disclosing any conflicts of interest that may affect the objectivity, independence, and results of the research.

6. Respecting colleagues and the scientific community.

Article 6. Acts violating scientific integrity and professional ethics in scientific research and technology development

1. Acts violating scientific integrity include:

a) Fabrication of data or research results;

b) Falsification of data;

c) Plagiarism in any forms;

d) Incorrect authorship attribution or removal of genuine contributors;

e) Obstruction, intimidation, coercion, or interference in the process of review, peer review, or approval of scientific publication manuscripts;

e) Other acts violating the principles of integrity prescribed in Article 4 hereof.

2. Acts violating professional ethics in scientific research and technology development include:

a) Concealing risks that cause serious consequences;

b) Disseminating false information or distorting research results;

c) Conducting research on humans without voluntary written consent or equivalent forms from research subjects;

d) Disclosing sensitive data collected during research without permission;

e) Using equipment, funds, or materials for personal purposes;

e) Failing to disclose financial relationships, research funding sources, or conflicts of interest that may affect objectivity, independence, and research results;

g) Testing new technologies or products that negatively affect the environment, natural resources, or public health without impact assessment and control measures;

h) Conducting research that infringes on dignity, honor, or privacy of individuals or communities;

i) Other acts violating the principles prescribed in Article 5 hereof.

3. Individuals who violate the provisions in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article may be subject to disciplinary actions or other measures in accordance with the law.

4. In cases where individuals found by competent authorities to have violated scientific integrity and professional ethics file complaints, petitions, or reports, such cases shall be reviewed and resolved according to the law on complaints.

Article 7. Responsibility for providing guidance on application and inspection off compliance with scientific integrity and professional ethics

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue guidance on scientific integrity and professional ethics in scientific research and technology development. The Ministry of Health shall provide guidance on ethics regulations in biomedical research involving human subjects.

2. Funding agencies for scientific research and technology development activities, as well as science and technology organizations, shall issue, implement, and inspect compliance with rules on scientific integrity and professional ethics based on the guiding documents prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. In case of detecting individuals with signs of violation against scientific integrity or professional ethics in scientific research and technology development, the authorities specified in Clause 2 of this Article shall conduct a preliminary verification, establish an advisory council comprising individuals with relevant expertise and independence from the case content to verify, work with involved parties, determine whether any violations occurred, and issue a written conclusion on the violation.

4. During the process of reviewing and verifying violations against scientific integrity and professional ethics, the agencies specified in Clause 2 of this Article must ensure the rights to be informed, to explain, and to file complaints of the individuals accused of violations.

Article 8. Update of information on violations against scientific integrity and professional ethics on the national digital platform for science, technology, and innovation management

1. The competent authority issuing conclusions on violations against scientific integrity and professional ethics in scientific research and technology development by individuals as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 8 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation, and points b, d, dd of Clause 1 and Clause 2 Article 6 hereof, is responsible for updating the information on the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology, and Innovation Management within 5 days from the date of issuing the conclusion.

2. The information updated on violations against scientific integrity and professional ethics (including cases where the violation conclusion is revoked) shall include: Name of the individual who commits the violation; the organization where the individual works; description of the violation; affected academic products; conclusions and forms of handling; effective date of the conclusion document.

3. The competent authority issuing conclusions on violations against scientific integrity and professional ethics shall determine the statute of limitations and specific penalties and issue the official conclusion document on the violation.

Chapter II

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATION

Article 9. Types of organizations engaging science, technology, and innovation

1. Organizations engaging science, technology, and innovation include:

a) Science and technology organizations such as academies, research institutes, research centers, laboratories, hospitals, higher education institutions, technology incubators, science and technology trading floors, technology transfer centers, innovation centers, technology assessment, appraisal, testing, and inspection organizations, and other forms as decided by the Minister of Science and Technology;

b) Science and technology enterprises, startup enterprises, high-tech enterprises, high-tech agricultural enterprises, digital technology enterprises, and other types of enterprises engaging in science, technology, and innovation activities;

c) State authorities, public service providers, and other organizations with functions related to science, technology, and innovation activities.

2. The organizations specified in Clause 1 of this Article include public organizations, non-public organizations, and foreign-invested organizations that are registered, proposed, and perform science, technology, and innovation tasks funded by state budget.

3. Science and technology organizations that are granted business registration certificates and use official seals for production and business activities include:

a) Science and technology organizations that have been granted certificates of science and technology organization that perform production and business activities in accordance with their organizational charters must complete business registration procedures at the Business registration authority before starting production and business activities; they are exempt from business registration charges.

For public science and technology organizations, their capital is determined according to laws on management and use of public assets, financial autonomy mechanisms of public service providers, and decisions of the competent authorities establishing and managing the science and technology organization.

For non-public and science and technology organizations with foreign capital, their capital is registered and accountable by such organizations’ legal representative.

Business lines of the science and technology organization must comply with the scope of activities registered in the certificate of registration granted by the competent authority.

b) Business registration authorities:

The Business registration authority of the Department of Finance of the province or centrally affiliated city shall grant business registration certificates to science and technology organizations with headquarters within the province/city, except cases where the High-Tech Park Management Board shall be the one to grant business registration certificates for organizations headquartered within the high-tech park;

c) Science and technology organizations specified in point a, Clause 3 of this Article must promptly fulfill obligations regarding business registration, registering changes in business registration content, suspending business operations, resuming business before the suspension registration deadline, terminating business, publicly disclosing business registration information on the National Business Registration Portal, reporting, and other obligations as prescribed; they are accountable for the truthfulness and accuracy of information declared in business registration application and reports.

d) Science and technology organizations have the right to conduct business from the date of issuance of the business registration certificate, except for conditional business lines.

Science and technology organizations may do business in conditional business lines when being granted a business registration certificate and meeting all investment and business conditions as prescribed.

dd) Business registration certificates for science and technology organizations may be revoked in the following cases: The science and technology organization’s certificate of organization is revoked or invalidated; The information declared in the business registration application is falsified; The science and technology organization fail to submit reports as required to the Business Registration Authority within 6 months from the report deadline; Cases requested by the Court or competent authority as prescribed by law.

e) The Ministry of Finance shall:

Issue or submit to competent authority for issuance of legislative documents on business registration; providing professional guidance on business registration and reporting to serve business registration;

Develop the National Business Registration Information System to implement business registration for science and technology organizations; cooperate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in transferring data of science and technology organizations registered before the effective date of this Decree; monitor and inspect Business Registration Authorities in performing business registration for science and technology organizations.

Provide for documentation, procedures for business registration, suspension, resumption, termination, revocation, and restoration of business registration certificates for science and technology organizations; provide for the tasks and powers of business registration authorities; provide for the publication, provision, use, and sharing of business registration information of science and technology organizations; and provide for the system of forms used in business registration for science and technology organizations.

Article 10. Conditions for establishing science and technology organizations

Science and technology organizations may be established when fully meeting the following conditions:

1. Organizational and operational charter

a) The science and technology organization must have a charter that clearly specifies: the name, objectives, functions, tasks, fields of operation, organizational structure, rights and obligations of the organization, management and operation methods, conditions for full division, partial division, acquisition, dissolution, and other contents as prescribed by law;

b) The name of the science and technology organization must include the full name, international trade name, and abbreviation (if any), written using letters from the Vietnamese alphabet; may include the letters F, J, Z, W, numbers, and symbols ensuring easy reading and pronunciation.

The foreign language name of the organization is the translation of the Vietnamese name into one of the Latin-based foreign languages. When translated, the proper name of the organization may be kept or translated correspondingly into the foreign language.

The organization’s name must not duplicate or cause confusion with names of other legally operating organizations in Vietnam; it must not use words or symbols violating historical traditions, culture, ethics, national customs, or intellectual property rights;

c) Having a headquarters in Vietnam with a clear address according to administrative divisions, including official phone number and email address;

d) The legal representative is the head of the organization, clearly specified in the charter or establishment decision of the competent authority;

dd) The field of operation is determined according to level 2 codes of the Science and technology field classification list;

e) Specific regulations on organizational structure, tasks, and powers of leaders and executive apparatus;

g) Conditions, documentation, procedures for acquisition, full division, partial division and dissolution (if any).

2. Science and technology human resources

a) There must be at least 5 full-time employees with bachelor’s degrees or higher (public science and technology organizations shall follow Government’s regulations on establishment, reorganization, and dissolution of public service providers); at least 30% of them must have professional qualifications suitable for the registered fields of operation;

b) For scientific research organizations or scientific research and technology development organizations, there must be at least one full-time PhD holder with relevant expertise in each registered field;

c) The head of the organization must have a bachelor’s degree or higher, with appropriate professional competence and management experience; for public science and technology organizations established as institutes, the head must hold a PhD.

3. Facilities and technical infrastructure

Having legal ownership or lawful use rights of headquarters, workshops, laboratories, equipment, intellectual property, and other technical means that satisfy the requirements to fulfill the functions and tasks of the science and technology organization.

Article 11. Authority to establish science and technology organizations

1. The Government shall establish science and technology organizations under the Government.

2. The Prime Minister shall establish or authorize Ministers, Heads of ministerial agencies, or Government agencies to establish science and technology organizations under their respective ministries, ministerial agencies, or Government agencies.

3. Ministers, Heads of ministerial agencies, or Government agencies shall establish science and technology organizations under their management, except as provided in Clause 2 of this Article.

4. The People’s Committees of provinces/centrally affiliated cities shall establish local science and technology organizations within their authority.

5. Political organizations, socio-political organizations, social organizations, and socio-professional organizations shall establish science and technology organizations in accordance with laws and their charters.

6. Higher education institutions, hospitals, enterprises, other organizations, and individuals may establish their own science and technology organizations.

7. Individuals have the right to establish or contribute capital to establish science and technology organizations in fields that comply with the regulations in Clause 3, Article 43 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation, except for fields listed as restricted due to national defense, security, or state secrets as regulated by specialized laws.

8. Agencies, organizations, and individuals establishing science and technology organizations have the authority to decide on the reorganization or dissolution of such organizations; they shall define the functions and tasks of the science and technology organizations they establish in accordance with law.

Article 12. Establishment, reorganization, and dissolution of public science and technology organizations

1. The application, conditions, procedures for establishing, reorganizing, and dissolving public science and technology organizations shall be carried out according to Government’s regulations on the establishment, reorganization, and dissolution of public service providers.

2. The establishment of special science and technology organizations prescribed in Article 46 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation is not required to meet the criteria and conditions prescribed by the Government’s regulations on the establishment, reorganization, and dissolution of public service providers.

Article 13. Application, procedures for establishing science and technology organizations with foreign capital and non-public science and technology organizations

1. The application for permission to establish a science and technology organization with foreign capital includes:

a) An application for permission to establish a science and technology organization with foreign capital using Form No. 01 in Appendix I attached hereto;

b) A document confirming the legal status of the foreign organization or individual contributing capital;

c) The scientific curriculum vitae of the proposed head of the science and technology organization with foreign capital;

d) A draft charter of organization and operation;

dd) A Scheme for establishing the science and technology organization, including: the necessity of establishment; conformity with Vietnam’s science, technology, and socio-economic development strategies and planning; objectives, content, fields, and scope of operation; estimated science and technology human resources; investment scale and financial analysis (if any);

e) Documents proving compliance with the conditions specified in Article 10 hereof;

g) Audited financial statements or equivalent documents for the most recent fiscal year of the foreign organization or individual contributing capital.

2. Documents in foreign languages included in the application must be accompanied by notarized Vietnamese translations as prescribed.

3. Documents specified in points b, c, and g of Clause 1 of this Article must be consularly legalized in accordance with Vietnamese law.

4. In cases where the establishment scheme involves investment in construction works, the application must include a feasibility report according to investment and construction laws.

5. Procedures for processing the application:

a) The application for permission to establish a science and technology organization with foreign capital shall be compiled in one set and submitted to the People’s Committee of the province or centrally affiliated city where the organization’s headquarters is planned to be located, via the online public service system, directly, or by post.

For applications submitted via the online public service system: Such applications must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf), use Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnamese standards (TCVN 6909:2001), be digitally signed or scanned from the original paper documents, ensuring completeness, integrity, and accuracy according to the paper version;

b) Within 5 working days from receipt of a valid application, the People’s Committee of the province/city must send written requests for opinions to relevant ministries and agencies;

c) Within 10 working days from receipt of the request from the People’s Committee, relevant ministries and agencies must respond in writing and bear responsibility for the content of their responses according to their assigned state management functions;

d) Within 35 working days from receipt of a complete and valid application, the People’s Committee shall review and approve establishment and approve the charter of organization and operation of the science and technology organization with foreign capital; a copy of the establishment decision shall be sent to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Public Security;

The decision on approval of the establishment and approval of the charter of organization and operation of a science and technology organization with foreign capital by a competent authority has the same legal value as the Decision on approval of the establishment and approval of the charter of organization and operation of a science and technology organization with foreign capital in paper form;

dd) If the establishment is not approved, the People’s Committee of the province/city shall notify the applicant in writing clearly stating the reasons;

e) Within 60 days from the date of issuance of the establishment approval decision, the science and technology organization with foreign capital must complete its establishment and carry out the procedures for obtaining a certificate of registration of science and technology organization at the competent state authority.

6. Organizations and individuals have the right to decide on the establishment of their own non-public science and technology organizations.

Article 14. Establishment of overseas affiliates of science and technology organizations

1. Science and technology organizations headquartered in Vietnam may establish overseas affiliates (including science and technology organizations, representative offices, branches) when satisfying the following conditions and procedures:

a) Submit an application for establishing an overseas affiliate to the authority that issued the certificate of registration for the parent science and technology organization, using Form No. 02 in Appendix I attached hereto;

b) Submit a scheme for establishing the affiliate, clearly stating the necessity, objectives, contents of activities, location, and organizational form;

c) Commit to fully fulfill financial obligations to the State of Vietnam;

dd) Commit to comply with the regulation of Article 14 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation and other relevant laws.

2. Registration procedures shall be conducted as follows:

a) The application for establishing an overseas affiliate shall be prepared in one set and submitted to the competent authority that issued the certificate of registration for the parent science and technology organization via the online public service system, directly, or by post.

b) Within no more than 3 working days from the date of receipt of application, the competent authority shall check the completeness and validity of such application. If the application is incomplete or invalid, a written notification requesting amendments must be issued;

c) Within 10 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid application, the competent authority shall review and issue a written notification regarding the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Clause 1 of this Article. In case of refusal, a written response stating the reasons must be provided.

The electronic notification issued by the competent authority regarding the satisfaction of conditions has the same legal validity as the notification in paper form.

3. Permission to establish overseas affiliates shall be conducted in accordance with laws on international cooperation and outward investment in science and technology.

4. Within 60 days from the date of receiving permission for establishment, the science and technology organization shall complete the establishment of the overseas affiliate and notify in writing the competent authority that issued the certificate of registration for the parent science and technology organization.

Article 15. Domestic representative offices and branches of science and technology organizations

1. A representative office is an affiliate of a science and technology organization, established to represent by authorization and to protect the lawful rights and interests of the organization within the assigned scope.

2. A branch is an affiliate of a science and technology organization that performs all or part of the organization’s operational functions, including authorized representative functions.

3. Representative offices and branches of science and technology organizations do not have juridical personality and are not permitted to conduct activities beyond the scope of authorization given by the parent organization.

4. The fields of operation of representative offices and branches must conform to the registered fields of the parent science and technology organization in accordance with law.

Article 16. Conditions for establishment and registration of domestic representative offices and branches of science and technology organizations

1. Domestic representative offices and branches of science and technology organizations may be established when satisfying the following conditions:

a) The establishment of the representative office or branch is specified in the charter of organization and operation of the science and technology organization;

b) A representative office must have at least 2 full-time employees with bachelor’s degrees or higher;

A branch must have at least 3 full-time employees with bachelor’s degrees or higher, including at least 1 person with professional qualifications suitable for the main registered field of operation;

The head of the representative office or branch must have a bachelor’s degree or higher and work officially at the representative office or branch;

c) The representative office or branch must have a headquarters in Vietnam with a clear address according to administrative division, including official phone number and email contact.

2. Science and technology organizations shall register their representative offices and/or branches at the science and technology authority under the People’s Committee of the province or city where the representative office or branch headquarters is located. The application shall include:

a) The application for registration of the representative office or branch of the science and technology organization using Form No. 03 in Appendix I attached hereto;

b) Decision on the establishment of the representative office or branch;

c) Decision on the designation of the head of the representative office or branch;

d) Documents proving compliance with human resource and headquarters conditions of the representative office or branch, including: The personnel list using Form No. 04 in Appendix I attached hereto; dossiers on the headquarters of the representative office or branch as specified in point e of Clause 1 of Article 23 hereof;

dd) A copy of the certificate of registration of the science and technology organization of the parent organization.

3. Registration procedures shall be conducted as follows:

a) The registration application shall be compiled in one set and submitted to the competent authority specified in Clause 2 of this Article via the online public service system, directly, or by post.

c) Within 10 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid application, the competent authority shall appraise and issue a certificate of the representative office or branch of the science and technology organization. In case of refusal, the competent authority must provide a written response stating the reasons.

The electronic certificate of the representative office or branch issued by the competent authority shall have the same legal validity as the paper certificate.

4. Science and technology organizations shall carry out procedures to request amendment or reissuance of the certificate of the representative office or branch at the authority that initially issued the certificate in cases of adjusting registered information or when the certificate is lost, damaged, torn, or contains incorrect information.

a) The application for amendment, or reissuance of the certificate shall include: an application form for amendment or reissuance of the certificate of the representative office or branch using Form No. 05 in Appendix I attached hereto, along with documents proving the respective amendment as follows:

Change of the name of the representative office or branch: The head of the representative office or branch must satisfy the conditions prescribed in point b of Clause 1 of this Article; Decision of the competent authority on the name change. For changes from a representative office to a branch, additional documents proving compliance with conditions in point b of Clause 1 of this Article. Personnel list using Form No. 04 in Appendix I attached hereto.

Change of the head of the representative office or branch: decision on the designation of the head of the representative office or branch;

Change of headquarters of the representative office or branch: Dossiers on the headquarters as specified in point e, Clause 1, Article 23 hereof.

Change or addition of the field of operation of the representative office or branch: certificate of registration of the science and technology organization of the parent organization.

b) Procedures for implementation:

The application shall be compiled in one set and sent to the competent authority issuing the certificate of the representative office or branch as specified in Clause 2 of this Article via the online public service system, directly, or by post.

Within 3 working days from receipt of the application, the competent authority shall verify its completeness and validity and notify the applicant for any amendments required.

Within 10 working days from receipt of the valid application, the competent authority shall review and issue the amended or reissue certificate of the representative office or branch. In case of refusal, a written notification stating the reasons shall be sent to the relevant organization or individual.

The form of certificate of representative office or branch shall comply with Form No. 06 in Appendix I attached hereto.

Article 17. Acquisition of science and technology organizations

1. One or more science and technology organizations (hereinafter referred to as the acquired organizations) may be acquired into another science and technology organization (hereinafter referred to as the acquiring organization) through the transfer of all lawful assets, rights, obligations, and interests of the acquired organizations to the acquiring organization. After the acquisition, the acquired organizations shall terminate their juridical personality. Authority issuing certificate of registration of the science and technology organization shall update the condition of the acquired organization on the Database on science and technology organizations.

2. Procedures for acquisition of science and technology organizations:

a) Relevant science and technology organizations shall develop an acquisition agreement and a draft charter of organization and operation (amended charter) of the acquiring organization. The acquisition agreement must include the following main contents The name and address of the headquarters of the acquiring organization and the acquired organizations; procedures and conditions for the acquisition; plans for employment after the acquisition; procedures, time limit, and conditions for asset transfer, conversion of capital contribution shares of the acquired organizations into capital contribution shares of the acquiring organization (if any); time limit for acquisition;

b) The organizations or persons with competence to establish the relevant science and technology organizations shall decide the acquisition, approve the acquisition agreement, and the (amended) charter of the acquiring organization.

The acquiring organization shall register changes to the contents of its registration certificate. The change registration application must include the acquisition agreement and the amended charter.

The acquisition agreement must be sent to all creditors (if any) and notified to employees within 15 working days from the date of approval;

c) After completing the change registration procedures as prescribed, the acquired organizations shall officially cease operations; the acquiring organization shall inherit all rights, obligations, responsibilities regarding assets, employment contracts, and other financial obligations of the acquired organizations.

Article 18. Merger of science and technology organizations

1. Two or more science and technology organizations (hereinafter referred to as the merging organizations) may merge to form a new science and technology organization (hereinafter referred to as the merged organization).

2. After the merger, the merged organization must carry out the establishment registration procedures in accordance herewith and inherit all lawful rights, obligations, assets, contracts, labor, and interests of the merging organizations. The merging organizations shall terminate their juridical personality. Authority issuing certificate of registration of the science and technology organization shall update the condition of the merging organizations on the Database on science and technology organizations.

3. The organizations or individuals with competence to establish science and technology organizations shall decide the merge; the application for registration of the merged organization must include the merger decision, the merger agreement, and the charter of the merged organization.

Article 19. Full division of science and technology organizations

1. A science and technology organization may be fully divided into two or more new science and technology organizations. After the full division, the divided organization shall cease its operations. Authority issuing certificate of registration of the science and technology organization shall update the condition of the divided organizations on the Database on science and technology organizations.

2. The decision on full division of a science and technology organization shall be issued by the organization or individual with competence to establish the divided science and technology organization in accordance with this Decree and the organization’s charter. The full division decision must include the following main contents:

a) The name and address of the headquarters of the divided science and technology organization;

b) The proposed names and basic information of the new science and technology organizations formed after the full division;

c) Principles and procedures for full division and distribution of assets;

d) Employment plans;

đ) Procedures, time limit, and conditions for conversion of capital contributions (if any);

e) Principles for handling asset obligations, contracts, labor, and legal liabilities;

g) Time limit for full division of the science and technology organization.

The full division decision must be sent to all creditors (if any) and notified to employees within 15 working days from the effective date of the decision.

3. After the new science and technology organizations are registered as prescribed, the divided organization shall terminate its juridical personality. The newly established organizations shall be jointly responsible for unfulfilled obligations, employment contracts, asset obligations, and other legal obligations of the divided organization, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the involved parties.

4. The new science and technology organizations formed after the full division must fully satisfy the establishment conditions as prescribed herein and follow the procedures for registration of science and technology organizations. The application must include the decision on the full division of the science and technology organization.

Article 20. Partial division of science and technology organizations

1. A science and technology organization may be partially divided by transferring a portion of its assets, rights, and obligations to one or several new science and technology organizations (hereinafter referred to as the new organization(s)) without terminating the existence of the original divided science and technology organization.

2. The partial division of a science and technology organization shall be carried out according to the decision of the competent organization or individual authorized to establish new science and technology organization(s), in accordance with this Decree and the organization’s charter. The partial division decision must include the following main contents:

a) The name and address of the headquarters of the divided science and technology organization;

b) Name and basic information of the new science and technology organization(s);

c) Employment plans;

d) The value of assets, rights, and obligations transferred from the separated organization to the new organization(s);

dd) Time limit for partial division of the science and technology organization.

The partial division decision must be sent to all creditors (if any) and notified to employees within 15 working days from the effective date of the decision.

3. Both the divided organization and the new organization(s) shall be jointly responsible for any unpaid debts (if any), asset obligations, employment contracts, and recruitment decisions arising from the divided organization, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the involved parties.

4. The new science and technology organization(s) formed after the partial division must fully satisfy the conditions and follow the procedures for registration of establishment of science and technology organizations prescribed herein. The application must include the decision on the partial division of the science and technology organization.

Article 21. Dissolution of science and technology organizations

1. Dissolution of a science and technology organization is the termination of its operations in accordance with the law. Dissolution shall be carried out in the following cases:

a) By decision of the authority, organization, or individual with establishment competence;

b) When the science and technology organization’s registration certificate is revoked or invalidated in accordance with the law;

c) In other cases as prescribed by specialized laws or the organization’s charter of organization and operation (if there is a provision on operation term and no renewal after expiration).

2. A science and technology organization may only be dissolved after fully settling all debts, asset obligations, employment contracts, and other legal obligations arising prior to the dissolution date.

3. The dissolution of public science and technology organizations shall be conducted in accordance with Government’s regulations on the establishment, reorganization, and dissolution of public service providers.

4. The dissolution of non-public science and technology organizations and foreign-invested organizations shall be conducted as follows:

a) The organization or individual with competence to establish shall decide on the dissolution of the science and technology organization. The dissolution decision must include the following main contents: Name and address of the organization’s headquarters; reason for dissolution; timeline and procedures for asset liquidation and debt settlement (not exceeding 6 months from the effective date of the dissolution decision); plan for handling employment contracts and recruitment decisions; full name and signature of the legal representative; the organization or individual responsible for asset liquidation, except where the charter specifies the establishment of a separate liquidation organization;

b) Within 10 working days from the issuance date, the dissolution decision must be sent to the agency responsible for the registration of a science and technology organization, creditors (if any), employees, and relevant parties; publicly posted at the headquarters, branches, and/or representative offices of the science and technology organization; published in at least one local newspaper for 3 consecutive issues or on the website of the relevant ministry, central authorities, or the People’s Committee of the province/city where the headquarters is located. The notice sent to creditors (if any) must specify the debt resolution plan including: creditor’s name and address; debt amount; time limit, location, and method of payment; and method and deadline for handling complaints of creditors;

c) Within 10 working days from the completion of debt payment, asset obligations, and procedures as specified in point a of this clause, the legal representative of the science and technology organization must send a notification of dissolution completion to the agency responsible for the registration of a science and technology organization, attached with dissolution confirmation documents.

Article 22. Authority to issue certificates of registration for science and technology organizations

1. The agency performing information and statistics functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue certificates of registration for science and technology organizations established by the National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the agencies specified in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 11 hereof, central agencies of political organizations, political-social organizations, social organizations, professional social organizations, higher education institutions, and hospitals affiliated to ministries and central agencies.

2. The science and technology agency affiliated to the People’s Committee of the province or city where the science and technology organization has its headquarters shall issue certificates of registration for organizations not under the scope of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The competent authority issuing certificates of registration for science and technology organizations shall be responsible for the following tasks:

a) Issuance, reissuance, revision of information on certificates of registration for science and technology organizations;

b) Fixed-term suspension, revocation, or cancellation of the registration certificates already issued in accordance with the law;

c) Immediately after issuing the certificate of registration, updating the information into the Science and Technology Organization Registration Database.

Article 23. Documentation, procedures for registration for science and technology organizations

1. Registration application includes:

a) Registration form in accordance with the form specified in Appendix 07 attached hereto;

b) Decision on the establishment of the science and technology organization;

c) Decision appointing the head of the organization by the competent authority or organization. The scientific curriculum vitae of the head of the science and technology organization according to Form No. 08 in Appendix I attached hereto;

d) The approved charter of organization and operation by the establishing agency, organization, or individual. For organizations established by individuals, the charter according to Form No. 09 in Appendix I attached hereto;

dd) Documents proving compliance with conditions regarding personnel and technical – physical facilities as prescribed in Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 10 hereof, including: The list of personnel according to Form No. 04 in Appendix I attached hereto; the declaration of technical – physical facilities according to Form No. 10 in Appendix I attached hereto;

e) Documents proving the headquarters must include one of the following: Documents proving the ownership of the house and land use rights of the science and technology organization for the location where the headquarters is located, or a contract to lease or borrow the location as the headquarters, accompanied by documents proving the ownership of the house and land use rights of the lessor or lender or documents proving the right to lease or lend of the lessor or lender;

g) Besides the headquarters, the organization may register other activity locations within the same province or city where the headquarters is located. The application for registration of other locations follows the same requirements as for the headquarters.

2. The registration application for higher education institutions and hospitals includes the documents specified in points a, b, c, and d of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The applicant shall be truthful, accurate, and legally accountable for all contents declared in the application as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

4. Registration procedures:

a) The application shall be made in one set and submitted to the competent authority specified in Article 22 hereof via the online public service system, directly, or by post.

For applications submitted online: Such applications must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf), use Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnamese standards (TCVN 6909:2001), be digitally signed or scanned from the original paper documents, ensuring completeness, integrity, and accuracy according to the paper version;

b) Within 5 working days from the date of receipt of the application, the competent authority shall check the completeness and validity of the application. If the dossier is incomplete or invalid, a written notice requesting amendments shall be issued;

c) Within 15 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid application, the competent authority shall appraise and issue the certificate of registration for the science and technology organization. In case of refusal, a written reply stating the reasons must be provided.

The electronic certificate of registration issued by the competent authority shall have the same legal value as the paper certificate.

The certificate form follows Form No. 11 in Appendix I attached hereto.

Article 24. Documentation, procedures for revision, and reissuance of certificates of registration for science and technology organizations

1. Science and technology organizations shall carry out procedures to request revision or reissuance of the certificate of registration for science and technology organizations in cases of revision of registered information or loss, damage, tearing, or errors in the certificate.

2. The application for revision or reissuance of the certificate of registration includes:

a) The application form for revision or reissuance of the certificate of registration in accordance with Form No. 05 in Appendix I attached hereto;

b) Documents and records proving the changed or supplemented content corresponding to each case are as follows:

Change of organization name: Decision of the competent authority on the renaming of the science and technology organization.

Change or addition of the organization’s field of operation: Decision of the competent authority on change or addition of the organization’s field of operation; personnel and physical – technical facilities records as prescribed in Point dd of Clause 1 of Article 23 hereof.

Change of founding authority or direct management agency: Decision on renaming or changing the founding authority or direct management agency of the science and technology organization.

Change of the head of the organization: Dossier of the head as prescribed in Point c of Clause 1 of Article 23 hereof.

c) In case the science and technology organization changes its headquarters to another province/city leading to a change of the certificate issuing authority:

The organization shall submit the application to the competent authority at the new headquarters address. The application includes: Application form for revision according to Form No. 05; headquarters dossier as prescribed in Point e of Clause 1 of Article 23; information about the old certificate (number, date, issuing authority) recorded on the new certificate to ensure continuity of the organization’s operation.

The organization must send a written request for changing the headquarters to the previous certificate issuing authority and return the original certificate. Within 7 working days, the certificate issuing authority shall confirm the completion of the procedure and send a copy of the certificate and registration application to the certificate issuing authority of province/city where the headquarters moves to.

3. Procedures:

a) The application shall be made in one set and submitted to the competent certificate issuing authority specified in Article 22 hereof via the online public service system, directly, or by post.

b) Within 5 working days from receipt, the competent authority shall verify the application’s completeness and validity, and notify the applicant if amendments or supplements are required;

c) Within 10 working days from the date of receiving a valid application, the competent authority shall review and issue the amended certificate of registration or reissue the certificate of registration. In cases of refusal, a written notice stating reasons must be sent to the relevant organization or individual.

Article 25. Registration and reporting responsibilities of science and technology organizations, their representative offices, and branches

1. Within 60 days from the establishment date, science and technology organizations, their representative offices, and branches must register with the competent authority issuing the certificate of registration for science and technology organizations according to Article 22 hereof and receive certificates for representative offices and branches as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 16 hereof.

2. Science and technology organizations, their representative offices, and branches are responsible for submitting annual reports and ad hoc reports as requested by the state regulatory authority of science and technology, and send them to the agency that issued the certificate of registration or certificates for representative offices and branches.

3. Reporting

a) Science and technology organizations, their representative offices, and branches shall submit periodic reports before December 15 each year;

b) Upon request of competent state authorities, science and technology organizations, their representative offices, and branches must provide reports, documents, and explanations on relevant matters.

4. Responsibility for preparation and submission of reports

a) Science and technology organizations, their representative offices and branches are obliged to fully and accurately report on their operational status according to the criteria specified in each reporting form; prepare reports in accordance with regulations on reporting time and reporting period; and be accountable for the accuracy of the information in the reports;

Submission methods: Reports on the performance of science and technology organizations, their representative offices and branches may be made in paper or electronic form:

Paper reports must have the signature and seal of the representative of the science and technology organization, its representative office, or branch to serve the purpose of inspecting, comparing, and processing data;

Electronic reports must be digitally signed by the head of the organization, its representative office, or branch, in Portable Document Format (.pdf), using Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnamese standards (TCVN 6909:2001), without password protection, and sent via email to the certificate or license issuing authority.

Reports on the performance of science and technology organizations shall comply with Form No. 12 in Appendix I attached hereto.

Reports on the performance of representative offices and branches shall comply with Form No. 13 in Appendix I attached hereto.

Article 26. Fixed-term suspension, revocation, and cancellation of certificates of registration for science and technology organizations, their representative offices, and branches

1. The certificate of registration for a science and technology organization may be suspended for a maximum period of 6 months in the following cases:

a) The organization fails to submit reports as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 25 hereof within 1 month from the date of receiving the written request;

b) The organization no longer meets the operational conditions stipulated in Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 10 hereof continuously for 12 months;

c) The organization fails to carry out the procedures to revise, or reissue the certificate of registration for science and technology organizations within 6 months from the date of the change or from the time the certificate is lost or damaged.

2. The certificate of registration for a science and technology organization shall be revoked or cancelled in the following cases:

a) The organization forges documents to obtain the certificate of registration;

b) After the suspension period specified in Clause 1 of this Article expires, the organization fails to remedy or cannot remedy the violations as required by the competent authority;

c) At the request or decision of the competent authority when the organization seriously violates laws on science and technology activities.

3. The competent authority issuing the certificate of registration for science and technology organizations shall have the power to issue decisions to suspend for a fixed term, revoke, or cancel the certificate and perform the following duties:

a) Notify in writing the People’s Committee of the province or city where the organization’s headquarters is located and the direct managing agency of the organization (if any);

b) Publicly announce the fixed-term suspension, revocation, or cancellation of the certificate on its official website;

c) Update information in the database of science and technology organization registrations.

4. The certificates of representative offices and branches shall be suspended for a maximum period of 6 months in the following cases:

a) No operation has been conducted within 12 months from the date of issuance of the certificate for the representative office or branch;

b) Operations are suspended for more than 12 consecutive months without a justified reason;

c) The organization no longer meets the minimum conditions prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 16 hereof continuously for 12 months;

d) The organization fails to register changes, supplements, or reissuance of the certificate for the representative office or branch within 12 months from the date of changes or loss of the certificate;

dd) If the parent science and technology organization’s certificate is suspended, the certificates of its representative offices and branches shall be suspended for the same duration.

5. The certificates of representative offices and branches shall be revoked or cancelled in the following cases:

a) Forgery of declared content in the application for the certificate of the representative office or branch;

b) By decision or at the request of competent authorities in the province/city when the representative office or branch commits a violation during operation;

c) After the suspension period expires, the representative office or branch fails to carry out the required remedial measures or cannot remedy the violations as required by the competent authority;

d) The parent science and technology organization’s certificate is revoked or cancelled;

dd) By decision to terminate the operation of the representative office or branch of the parent science and technology organization.

6. The authority issuing certificates for representative offices and branches shall decide on fixed-term suspension, revocation, or cancellation of certificates issued to representative offices and branches under the provisions of Clauses 4 and 5 of this Article and notify relevant agencies and organizations.

Article 27. Recognition of research and development centers

1. Rules for recognition of research and development centers

a) Organizations applying for recognition of research and development centers shall submit application to the competent state authority specified in Article 22 and be legally responsible for the legitimacy, truthfulness, and accuracy of the information declared in the application;

b) The competent state authority shall be accountable for the legitimacy of the application for reorganization and shall not be accountable for any violations of the organization before and after the reorganization;

c) The competent state authority shall not resolve disputes between the recognized organization and other organizations or individuals;

d) The certificate of recognition of research and development centers is valid for 5 years.

2. Conditions for recognition of research and development centers

An organization shall be recognized as a research and development center if it meets all of the following conditions:

a) The organization has juridical personality, is legally established, and registered as a science and technology organization under Vietnamese law;

b) Its main function and task is scientific research and technology development, clearly stated in one of the following documents: Establishment decision, organizational and operational charter, or certificate of registration of science and technology organization;

c) The organization has full-time research personnel of at least 10 people, including at least one PhD’s holder in a professional field relevant to the organization’s scientific research and technology development activities;

d) The organization has appropriate research infrastructure and equipment that meet the requirements for conducting scientific research and technology development activities in the registered field of operation; these must be owned or legally used by the organization;

dd) The organization has stable financial resources, ensuring annual expenditure or commitment of at least 2 billion VND for scientific research and technology development activities;

e) The organization has research results applied, transferred, or commercialized in the last 5 years; or has valid applications for patents, utility solutions, plant varieties, or computer software copyrights registered and received by competent intellectual property authorities according to the law.

Article 28. Documentation and procedures for recognition of research and development centers

1. Application for recognition of research and development centers includes:

a) Application form for recognition stating the objectives, main fields of operation, and commitment to comply with the law;

b) Certified copies of the following documents: establishment decision, organizational and operational charter;

c) List of full-time research personnel meeting the requirements specified in Point c of Clause 2 of Article 27 hereof;

d) Documents proving the expenditure level or financial commitment for scientific research and technology development activities;

dd) Documents proving research results applied, transferred, or commercialized in the last 5 years; or confirmation of receipt of applications for patents or utility solutions by competent authorities in accordance with the law.

2. Procedures for recognition of research and development centers:

a) The organization shall prepare one complete dossier and submit it to the competent authority specified in Article 22 hereof via the online public service system, directly, or by post.

b) Within no more than 5 working days from the date of receipt of application, the competent agency shall check the completeness and validity of such application. If the application is incomplete or invalid, a written notice requesting amendments must be issued;

c) Within 30 working days from the date of receiving a valid application, the competent authority shall establish a Recognition Advisory Council to appraise and issue the recognition certificate for the research and development center. In case of refusal, a written response stating the reasons must be provided.

The electronic recognition certificate issued by the competent authority has the same legal validity as the paper certificate.

3. The recognition certificate form shall comply with Form No. 14 in Appendix I attached hereto.

Article 29. Advisory council for appraisal of applications for recognition of research and development centers

1. The Advisory Council for appraisal of applications for recognition of research and development centers (hereinafter referred to as the Recognition Advisory Council) consists of 9 to 11 members, including a President, Vice President, and council members. Among them, 2 members act as reviewers who are experts with deep knowledge in the field to be advised on. At least half of the council members must be reputable experts with relevant professional qualifications and at least 5 years of experience in the field to be advised on; the remainders are representatives of state regulatory authorities, policy-planning bodies, and enterprises.

2. Working principles of the Recognition Advisory Council

a) The council convenes a meeting when at least two-thirds of its members are present, including the President or Vice President chairing the meeting, and both reviewers. Written opinions of absent members are for reference only. If necessary, the council may submit petition the competent state authority to invite external experts to participate in the appraisal;

b) The council operates democratically and objectively. Members are responsible for honest, objective, and fair assessments. Each member is personally responsible for his or her appraisal opinions and collectively responsible for the council’s conclusions.

3. Working procedures of the Recognition Advisory Council

a) The council shall appoint one member as secretary to record members’ opinions, meeting minutes, and relevant documents;

b) Reviewers shall present opinions and comments on each item and information declared in the application; assess the degree of compliance with the criteria for research and development centers as prescribed;

c) The council shall discuss and comment on each assessment criterion and condition related to the application. External experts, if invited, shall answer questions then leave the meeting;

d) The council shall conduct a secret ballot to assess the application. A vote counting committee of 3 members (including a head) is elected to oversee the ballot on whether to agree or disagree with the application;

d) The Council shall agree with the application when more than 3/4 of the Council members present at the meeting vote “Agree”; or disagree with the application in the remaining cases. The results of the Recognition Advisory Council are recorded in minutes and signed by the members attending the meeting.

The assessment form of the Recognition Advisory Council shall comply with Form No. 15 in Appendix I attached hereto.

Article 30. Authority to recognize, revoke, and cancel the certificates of recognition of research and development centers

1. The authority with competence to issue certificates of registration for science and technology organizations as prescribed in Article 22 hereof has the authority to recognize, revoke, or cancel certificates of recognition of research and development centers.

2. A research and development center shall have its recognition certificate revoked or cancelled in the following cases:

a) Fail to conduct operations within 12 months from the date of issuance of the recognition certificate;

b) Commit forgery in the recognition application;

c) Commit violation against regulations on prohibition acts under the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation;

d) Fail to comply with the regulations on reporting and updating on operations of the organization on the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology and Innovation Management;

dd) No longer meet all of the conditions prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 27 hereof during its operation;

e) At the request or decision of the competent state authority.

3. The decision to revoke or cancel the recognition certificate must be notified in writing to the research and development center, its direct management agency (if any), and relevant agencies, and updated on the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology and Innovation Management.

Chapter III

INFORMATION AND STATISTICS

Section I. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION INFORMATION ACTIVITIES

Article 31. Rules for science, technology and innovation information activities

Science, technology and innovation information activities must comply with the following rules:

1. Accuracy, objectivity, completeness, timeliness; efficiency in operation, use, and management.

2. Ensuring the rights and interests of organizations and individuals in accessing, operating, and using information according to the law.

3. Complying with laws on state secret protection, confidentiality of scientific and technological information; not infringing upon national interests.

4. Ensuring requirements on connectivity, sharing, transparency, and comparability.

5. Aiming to popularize and disseminate knowledge, approach international practices and standards, suitable to the characteristics of Vietnam.

Article 32. Types of science, technology and innovation information activities

Types of science, technology and innovation information activities include:

1. Creating and developing domestic and international science and technology information sources.

2. Consolidating and analyzing science, technology and innovation information to serve forecasting, planning strategies and policies, leadership, management, research, training, production, business, and other socio-economic activities.

3. Developing digital platforms, databases, libraries, and digital libraries on science and technology.

4. Managing and disseminating science, technology and innovation information and knowledge.

5. Searching, exploiting, and using science, technology and innovation information.

6. Other forms of science, technology and innovation information activities compatible with applicable laws.

Article 33. Management of science, technology and innovation information

1. Collection, updating, addition and development of science, technology and innovation information sources

a) Information sources include: data on science, technology and innovation tasks, scientific and technological publications, scientific and technological human resources, science and technology organizations, investments in science, technology and innovation, patents, utility solutions, plant varieties and animal breeds, aquaculture, technology transfer, science and technology enterprises, high-tech enterprises, startups, startup support centers, standards, metrology, quality, radiation and nuclear safety, atomic energy, and other science, technology and innovation information;

b) Information on science, technology and innovation tasks (including ongoing tasks, results, applications) is collected via the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology and Innovation Management; centrally and uniformly managed on the National Information System for Science, Technology and Innovation; connected with relevant other information systems. The content of science, technology and innovation task information is updated on the National Information System as prescribed in Appendix II attached hereto;

c) Organizations, enterprises and individuals funded by state budget or benefiting from preferential policies/support from the state for science, technology and innovation activities must register their information and update data on such activities specified in Point a Clause 1 of this Article on the National Information System;

Organizations and individuals not funded by state budget are encouraged to provide, update, and share science, technology and innovation information as specified in Point a Clause 1 of this Article on the National Information System;

d) Science, technology and innovation information sources are added through procurement of scientific, technological and innovation documents or services accessing domestic and international science, technology and innovation databases.

2. Processing, classification, standardization and storage of information

a) Science, technology and innovation information is processed and classified by field, sector, standard keywords, have electronic identification codes, and linked to related data components; organized into databases capable of connecting and sharing with other related information systems and databases;

b) Information is stored long-term in digital and physical document forms; complies with technical requirements regarding information connectivity, sharing, security, and confidentiality.

3. Science, technology and innovation information is managed and publicly disclosed on the National Information System for Science, Technology and Innovation in full text, abstracts, or open data formats, except information classified as state secrets; ensuring copyright and use rights of relevant organizations and individuals, except for confidential information.

4. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall elaborate the collection, updating, management, sharing, operation, and use of science, technology and innovation information on the National Information System.

5. Ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces/cities shall appoint science and technology information bodies to carry out the collection, updating, management, sharing, operation, and use of science, technology and innovation information.

Article 34. Development and sharing of science, technology and innovation information sources

1. The State shall ensure resources for the creation, development, and sharing of domestic and international science, technology and innovation information sources.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take charge in centrally adding international science, technology and innovation information sources funded by the state budget for scientific research organizations, technology development institutions, and higher education institutions; coordinate and cooperate in adding and sharing science, technology and innovation information sources among information organizations, libraries, scientific research and technology development organizations, higher education institutions, enterprises, and startup support organizations through library consortium models.

3. Organizations and individuals are encouraged to invest and fund for activities to develop science, technology and innovation information sources.

Article 35. Operation and use of science, technology and innovation information

1. Science and technology management agencies of ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces/cities must use the National Information System for Science, Technology and Innovation to serve state management and administration, and to retrieve information supporting the management of science, technology and innovation programs and tasks funded by state budget.

2. Organizations and individuals are entitled to operate and use science, technology and innovation information on the National Information System to serve leadership, management, scientific research, technology development, education and training, production, and business activities.

Article 36. Scientific journals

A scientific journal meets the scientific standards if it satisfies the following criteria:

1. Academic content criteria

a) Having clear aims and scope reflecting consistent scientific specialization;

b) Published articles must be original research, scientific reviews, academic exchanges/reviews with new academic or practical contributions;

c) Being published in standard Vietnamese or academic English, or other languages using standardized citation systems and reference lists according to international practices.

2. Editorial board criteria

a) At least 50% of editorial board members are experts outside the presiding agency;

b) Editorial board and editorial staff have appropriate professional qualifications.

3. Criteria for the article review process

a) Transparent submission – review – decision – revision process publicly available on the journal’s website;

b) Applying blind review with at least two independent reviewers per article;

c) Review records must be stored for at least 5 years.

4. Publishing standards criteria

a) The journal must have an international standard serial number (ISSN) issued by competent authorities;

b) Having publishing standards according to international scientific practices;

c) Having a public policy on plagiarism detection, article withdrawal, handling conflicts of interest and publishing rights;

d) Articles violating copyrights, containing fabricated data, or distorted citations are not accepted.

5. Transparency and accessibility criteria

a) Having a website with full information updated (aims, editorial board list, review policies, submission guidelines, author instructions);

b) Publishing full-text articles with abstracts, keywords, and DOI numbers (if available).

6. Indexing criteria

The scientific journal must be indexed on the National Information System for Science and Technology or in one of the international scientific databases such as Scopus or Web of Science.

Article 37. Editorial Board of the Journal

1. The editorial board must have at least 7 members, including the President of the Editorial Board, Vice President (if any), and members who are scientists.

2. Standards regarding qualifications and experience of board members:

a) Members must have a Master’s degree or higher, with at least 60% holding a Doctoral degree or Professor/Associate Professor titles;

b) Having published scientific articles in internationally indexed journals or reputable domestic scientific journals within the last 5 years;

c) Having at least 5 years of experience in scientific research, teaching at universities, or science and technology management.

3. Standards regarding scientific integrity and professional ethics:

Board members must not violate scientific integrity or professional ethics in science, technology, and innovation activities; must not abuse power to interfere with review results; must avoid processing manuscripts where there is a conflict of interest.

Article 38. Scientific article selection process

The article selection process includes the following steps:

1. Receive manuscripts via an online system or other forms as regulated by the journal and perform preliminary review of the format. Manuscripts not meeting requirements will be rejected or returned for revision before entering the review process.

2. Preliminary assessment of the manuscript’s suitability with the journal’s scope and academic orientation. Articles that are unsuitable or do not meet quality standards may be rejected. Rejection notifications shall be sent to the authors.

3. Assigning scientific reviewers. Each manuscript is sent to at least two independent reviewers with appropriate expertise, ensuring no conflict of interest.

4. Collecting review comments and deciding whether to accept without revision, requesting revisions and reassessment after author’s correction, or rejecting the manuscript.

5. Authors shall revise according to feedback and resubmit the revised manuscript along with a detailed response to the reviewers’ comments. The revised manuscript may be re-sent to reviewers if necessary.

6. The Editor-in-Chief shall, based on the editorial board’s final reviews and assessments, decide to officially accept the manuscript and include it in the publication plan and notify the author.

Article 39. Classification of scientific journals

1. Scientific journals must be periodically assessed and classified based on academic quality, suitable for national context and international practices. Journal assessment and classification serve as a basis for formulation of policies on funding and supporting scientific journal development.

2. Scientific journals are classified as follows:

Class 1: Approximately top 25% of journals with the highest scores in each assessment period;

Class 2: The next 25%;

Class 3: The next 25%;

Class 4: The remaining 25%;

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall elaborate scientific article and criteria and methods for assessment/classification for Vietnamese scientific journals; develop a Vietnamese scientific citation database for journal assessment; issue lists and organize annual assessment and classifications of scientific journals; develop and implement programs to support the development of internationally recognized scientific journals.

4. Assessment and classification results of scientific journals shall serve as a basis for state budget subsidization for improvement of the capacity of journals to reach international standards and for assessing the performance of science and technology organizations.

Section 2. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION STATISTICS

Article 40. Rules of science, technology and innovation statistics

1. Honesty, objectivity, completeness, timeliness, consistency, and verifiability.

2. Unified use of indicator systems, methodology, classifications, and statistical categories as prescribed by the State.

3. Compliance with laws on statistics, laws on science, technology and innovation, and relevant laws.

4. Confidentiality of information related to organizations, individuals, trade secrets, intellectual property, and data classified as state secrets.

Article 41. Classification of science and technology statistics

1. Science, technology and innovation statistics shall use the List of classification of science and technology fields and other relevant statistical classification lists.

2. The List of classification of science and technology fields shall serve as a basis for the following activities:

a) Organizing and classifying scientific and technological activities; identifying and classifying science and technology fields for data collection and analysis;

b) Standardizing data collection and presentation methods for science and technology databases; enabling comparison across sectors, fields, and international comparison;

c) Science, technology and innovation management authorities shall monitor, supervise, and assess activities in science, technology and innovation fields, allocate resources, and plan strategies and policies.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue List of classification of science and technology fields.

Article 42. System of science and technology statistical indicators

1. The system of science and technology statistical indicators includes systematically constructed indicators that comprehensively reflect the status of science, technology and innovation activities at national, sectoral, field or local levels.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall cooperate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies in issuing, providing guidance, and organizing the implementation of the system of science and technology statistical indicators.

Article 43. Collection and provision of science, technology and innovation statistical information

1. Science, technology and innovation statistical information is collected through statistical reports, statistical surveys, administrative data, and other forms as prescribed by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

2. Ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces/cities shall appoint science and technology statistics bodies; provide full, honest, and timely statistical data as prescribed by law and required by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

3. Science, technology and innovation organizations, and organizations and individuals engaging in science, technology and innovation activities funded by state budget or benefiting from state preferential policies must report statistical information on their activities to the National Information System for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Other organizations and individuals are encouraged to provide statistical information on science, technology and innovation activities to the National Information System.

4. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall cooperate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies in issuing, providing guidance, and organizing the implementation of statistical reporting and statistical surveys on science, technology and innovation.

Article 44. Publication and use of science, technology and innovation statistical information

1. Science, technology and innovation statistical information shall be published periodically in the form of statistical publications, open data systems, or other appropriate forms.

2. Agencies publishing science, technology and innovation statistics must ensure reliability, transparency, clarity, and easy accessibility.

3. The use of science, technology and innovation statistical information must comply with laws on statistics, correctly and clearly cite sources, and ensure ethical and responsible use.

Chapter IV

ASSESSMENT OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ACTIVITIES

Article 45. Objectives and rules for assessment of science, technology and innovation activities

1. The assessment of strategies, policies, plans, programs, and science and technology and innovation organizations aims to improve the efficiency of investment and accountability in the use of state and social resources for scientific research, technology development, and innovation. The objectives include:

a) Monitoring and measuring the achievement levels of the objectives set in science, technology and innovation strategies, plans, and programs;

b) Ensuring effective management and use of investment resources for science and technology, while promoting the transfer and practical application of research results;

c) Serving as a basis for policy planning and adjustment, priority setting, and appropriate budget allocation for ministries, central authorities, local authorities, science, technology and innovation programs, and science and technology organizations.

2. The assessment of strategies, policies, plans, programs, and science and technology and innovation organizations must comply with the following rules:

a) Independence, objectivity, honesty, openness, and transparency regarding assessment methods, data, and results;

b) Compliance with laws on science, technology and innovation, and relevant laws.

c) Based on digital data systems, prioritizing data from the National Information System for Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology and Innovation Management;

d) Respect for the specific nature of research and innovation activities, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, ensuring balance between management efficiency and research autonomy of organizations and individuals;

dd) Application of appropriate assessment indicators according to the type of program, field of expertise, scale of operation, and specific characteristics of the organization or program being assessed.

Article 46. Formulation of assessment plans

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take charge in developing and issuing a comprehensive assessment plan of science, technology and innovation activities in the first quarter of each year to guide, coordinate, and standardize assessment activities nationwide. The comprehensive assessment plan shall include the following main contents:

a) Determined objectives, scope, and rules of assessing science, technology and innovation activities for each period;

b) Assessment subjects include strategies, policies, plans, programs, and scientific, technological and innovation organizations funded by state budget or impact the national innovation system;

c) Proposal of a system of quantitative and qualitative assessment indicators and methods suitable for each group of subjects and assessment period;

d) Regulations on responsibilities, scope of publication, use forms, and publication of assessment results in management, policy adjustment, and investment;

dd) Guidance on developing, disseminating, and applying tools, databases, and assessment technologies aligned with international practices and suitable for Vietnam’s characteristics;

e) Development of mechanisms for training, selecting, using, and managing independent experts and professional assessment consulting organizations;

g) Other contents decided by the Minister of Science and Technology.

2. Ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces/cities shall organize and implement the comprehensive assessment plan for science, technology and innovation activities within their management.

Article 47. Subjects and content of assessment of science, technology and innovation activities

1. Subjects of assessment of science, technology and innovation activities

a) Strategies, five-year plans, and annual plans for the development of science, technology and innovation of ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces/cities;

b) Science, technology and innovation programs funded by state budget;

c) Scientific and technological organizations. The assessment of the performance of public scientific and technological organizations shall be conducted according to Article 51 hereof;

d) Preferential policies and incentives for organizations and enterprises to spend on science, technology and innovation activities;

dd) Other issues related to science, technology and innovation as required by state management.

2. Content of assessment of science, technology and innovation activities

a) Assessment of results of science, technology and innovation activities:

Level of completion of objectives and targets set.

Quantity, quality, and completeness level of scientific and technological products, including research products, technologies, solutions, models, services, and other products.

Qualitative and quantitative comparison of results against the plan.

Level of application and transfer of research results into production, life, or management practices.

b) Assessment of the performance of science, technology and innovation activities:

Efficiency in using mobilized resources, including financial, human resources, technical infrastructure, and other input factors.

Appropriateness between outputs and input resources.

Socio-economic effectiveness from products or research results, focusing on contributions to economic growth, productivity improvement, quality of life enhancement, and the technological and innovation capacity of enterprises and organizations.

c) Assessment of impacts of science, technology and innovation activities:

Impacts on economic, social, environmental development, national defense, security, scientific potential, and national scientific standing.

Impacts on manufacturing sectors and enterprises, focusing on improving technological capacity, competitiveness, and sustainable development.

Social impacts, focusing on job creation, improvement of human resource quality, dissemination of scientific and technological knowledge, and enhancement of people’s living standards.

Article 48. Assessment of science, technology and innovation plans and programs

1. The assessment of development plans for science, technology and innovation of ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces/cities shall be conducted annually in accordance with Article 46 hereof.

2. The assessment of five-year development plans for science, technology and innovation shall be conducted by the Ministry of Science and Technology in the final year of the plan period, focusing on the degree of achievement of set objectives, contributions to economic, social, environmental development, policies, and national science, technology and innovation capacity; this assessment serves as a basis for developing the next five-year plan.

3. The assessment of science, technology and innovation programs shall be conducted in the following stages:

a) Initial assessment conducted before implementing the program to determine the feasibility of objectives, content, scope, methods, and resources;

b) Mid-term assessment conducted approximately halfway through the program’s implementation period to assess progress against the approved plan, identify arising issues, and propose adjustments to targets and objectives if necessary to better fit the practices. Mid-term assessment can be conducted once or multiple times as decided by the person with competence to conduct assessment;

c) Final assessment conducted upon program completion to determine the degree of achievement of objectives, content, output products, quality of results, resource use efficiency, and contributions to the development of science, technology and innovation;

d) Impact v conducted after a certain period following program completion to measure impacts on economic, social, environmental development, policies, and national science, technology and innovation capacity.

Article 49. Criteria for assessment of the performance of public science and technology organizations

1. Public science and technology organizations may perform one or more of the following scientific research and technology development functions:

a) Basic research;

b) Applied research;

c) Technology development;

d) Policy – social research.

2. Criteria for assessment of the performance according to the function of the public science and technology organization.

a) Organizations performing basic research functions are assessed based on the following criteria:

Implementation process, including novelty in the organization’s research orientation; level of research cooperation; mechanisms ensuring scientific integrity and research ethics.

Outputs, including number of international publications, average citation per international publication, number of domestic publications.

Resource use efficiency, including number of international publications per full-time researcher, average cost per international publication, proportion of expenditure on strong research groups.

Impact, including influence on academic orientation, use in undergraduate and postgraduate training, and role in science, technology, and innovation programs.

b) Organizations performing applied research functions are assessed based on the following criteria:

Implementation process, including novelty in the organization’s research orientation, level of research cooperation, mechanisms ensuring scientific integrity and research ethics.

Outputs, including scientific publications, patents, utility solutions, semiconductor integrated circuit layout designs, plant varieties/animal breeds/aquaculture breeds, experimental model results, technical specifications.

Resource use efficiency, including number of patents, utility solutions, semiconductor integrated circuit layout designs, plant varieties/animal breeds/aquaculture breeds per research organization; average cost per patent, utility solution, semiconductor integrated circuit layout design, plant variety/animal breed/aquaculture breed, experimental/application model; ratio of external revenue to total revenue of the organization.

Impact, including adoption, use or further development of research results, that is used as a basis for issuance of industry technical standards and norms; promotion of research institute – university – enterprise – state connection.

c) Organizations performing technology development functions are assessed based on the following criteria:

Implementation process, including design, integration and verification of research results, technology development; degree of localization and mastery of key technology components; connection with pilot production and production with enterprises.

Outputs, including patents, utility solutions, semiconductor integrated circuit layout design, commercialized plant varieties/animal breeds/aquaculture breeds, tested products meeting technical standards, inspected by independent agencies; completed and commercialized technological processes.

Resource use efficiency, including commercialization rate of outputs; revenue-to-research and development cost ratio; number of startups formed in the last three years.

Impact, including enhancement of technological capacity for enterprises; impacts on society and environment; enhancement of technological capacity in the field of research.

d) Organizations performing policy and social research functions are assessed based on the following criteria:

Implementation process, including clarity, appropriateness, flexibility and adaptability of research orientation to social needs; level of research cooperation; mechanisms ensuring scientific integrity and research ethics.

Outputs, including scientific publications; research results proposed or recommended in strategy and policy planning.

Resource use efficiency, including application of research results in strategy and policy formulation, institutionalization, solving socio-economic problems; capacity for policy advisory and review; level of influence in the research community.

Impact, including impact on socio-economic and environmental aspects; impact resulting changes in social awareness, attitudes, and behaviors; level of popularization of policy dissemination to local and central authorities;

dd) Organizations performing multiple scientific research and technology development functions are assessed separately for each function according to the detailed assessment criteria specified in Section II of Appendix III attached hereto;

e) The set of criteria for evaluating the performance of public science and technology organizations is detailed in Section I of Appendix III attached hereto.

g) The Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue and update detailed guidance on assessment of operation of public science and technology organizations.

3. Classification of public science and technology organizations

Based on the assessment results, public science and technology organizations shall be classified as: Grade A – Excellent; Grade B – Good; Grade C – Average; Grade D – Poor.

Article 50. Procedures and documentation for assessing science, technology and innovation activities

1. The agency in charge of the assessment shall clearly identify the subjects of assessment, objectives, closely aligning with state management requirements, approved strategic orientations, planning, and plans for development of science, technology and innovation.

2. Development and approval the assessment plan:

a) The assessment plan must clearly specify content, criteria, methods, schedule, personnel, budget, and data for the assessment;

b) The assessment plan must be approved by the competent authority before implementation.

3. Notification of assessment:

a) The agency in charge of the assessment must notify in writing the subjects of assessment and relevant parties of the content, schedule, methods, and participants involved in the assessment;

b) The notification must be given at least 10 working days before the start of the assessment to have adequate preparation.

4. Data collection and preparation:

a) Data collection for assessment must be conducted from lawful sources, including: implementation reports, management documents, research results, statistical data, administrative data, and other relevant sources;

b) Relevant organizations and individuals are obliged to promptly provide complete and accurate information and data as requested by the agency in charge of the assessment.

5. Assessment:

a) Based on the approved plan, the agency in charge of the assessment shall organize the assessment using appropriate methods that ensure objectivity, independence, and transparency;

b) If necessary, the assessment may be conducted by an assessment council or an independent assessment consulting organization decided by the competent authority.

6. Preparation and approval of the assessment report

a) Assessment results must be analyzed according to each criterion and objective to fully reflect the level of completion, performance, and impact of the subject of c;

b) The assessment report must clearly present objectives, content, methods, results, conclusions, and petitions (if any), and must be inspected, confirmed, and approved as required.

7. Publication of the assessment results and implementation of petitions

a) Assessment results shall be publicly published on the website of the agency in charge of the assessment and other appropriate media;

b) Relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for studying, adopting, and implementing the petitions in the assessment report to improve the effectiveness of science, technology, and innovation activities;

c) Relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for monitoring, supervising, and reporting on the implementation results of assessment petitions as required by the competent authority.

Article 51. Frequency of assessment, inspection of assessment results, and re-assessment

1. Frequency of assessment:

a) Strategies and plans for science, technology and innovation shall be assessed mid-term or on an ad hoc basis upon request for management, especially when there are significant changes in policies, socio-economic or technological contexts;

b) Public science, technology and innovation organizations shall be assessed annually or on an ad hoc basis as requested by the state regulatory authority;

c) State preferential policies and support for science, technology and innovation activities shall be assessed periodically as per management, control, or policy adjustment requests.

2. Inspection of assessment results:

The competent state authority shall inspect the results based on the following contents:

a) Compliance with approved procedures, methods, and criteria for assessment;

b) Objectivity, independence, completeness, and accuracy of data, analysis, and conclusions in the assessment report;

c) Suitability between assessment results and the objectives of the science, technology and innovation program, plan, or task;

d) Propose remedial measures if violations are detected or may be proposed for re-assessment.

3. Re- assessment

Re- assessment shall be conducted in the following cases:

a) There is a legitimate petition or feedback on errors or lack of objectivity in the assessment process or conclusions;

b) Assessment results show signs of deviation, do not accurately reflect reality due to use of incorrect methods, criteria, or inaccurate data sources;

c) There are significant changes in strategy, policy, or objectives of the science, technology, and innovation program or plan, resulting in the need to re-assess the conformity and effectiveness of previous results;

d) Upon request of the competent state authority.

Article 52. Responsibilities for organizing the assessment of science, technology and innovation activities

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall

a) Unify management of the assessment of science, technology and innovation activities nationwide;

b) Issue and update assessment criteria sets for strategies, policies, programs, plans, and science, technology and innovation organizations;

c) Provide guidance, inspect, and supervise the assessment of science, technology and innovation activities of ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People’s Committees provinces/cities;

d) Organize the assessment of science, technology and innovation strategies and policies; assess plans within its authority; assess national science, technology and innovation programs, especially those with significant impacts on socio-economic development; when necessary, may hire independent consulting organizations as specified in Clause 3 of this Article or establish an assessment advisory council as specified in Clause 4 of this Article to conduct the assessment;

dd) Organize the assessment of the effectiveness of state budget investment in science, technology and innovation activities of a ministry, ministerial agency, government agency, or People’s Committee of a provincial/city when necessary.

2. Criteria for assessment of science, technology and innovation activities

a) The Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue and update the assessment criteria sets for strategies, policies, plans, programs, and science, technology and innovation organizations;

b) For science, technology and innovation programs containing state secrets, the ministries and program management agencies shall cooperate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in developing separate assessment criteria.

3. Ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, People’s Committees of provinces/cities

a) Use their relevant authorities or hire independent consulting organizations as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article or establish assessment advisory councils as stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article to organize the assessment of strategies, policies, plans, programs, and science, technology and innovation organizations under their management, following the criteria and guidance of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Encourage hiring independent consulting organizations for assessment of large-scale and complex programs;

b) Periodically report assessment results to the Ministry of Science and Technology for monitoring and consolidation;

c) Publicly disclose assessment results via mass media and the organization’s website to ensure access to information for relevant organizations and individuals.

4. Independent assessment consulting organizations shall be established and operate in accordance with the law, have juridical personality, and possess experience, capacity, and expertise in the field of assessment.

5. Assessment advisory council

a) The Assessment advisory council shall be established by the competent authority and include reputable scientists and managers both domestic and international with high expertise and relevant experience for the content to be assessed;

b) The council shall conduct assessment according to the approved methods, criteria, and content; provide independent critical feedback and petition on solutions to improve the quality of implementation of strategies, policies, plans, programs, and operations of science, technology and innovation organizations.

6. Cooperation and assignment of responsibilities

a) The agency in charge of assessment shall closely cooperate with relevant authorities of the Ministry of Science and Technology in conducting assessment, including data sharing, assigning personnel to participate in councils, organizing assessment, or providing technical support when requested;

b) The Ministry of Science and Technology shall request ministries, central and local authorities to provide information, assign representatives to participate in assessment councils, working groups, or cooperation activities to ensure uniformity in the nationwide assessment management system.

Article 53. Use of results of assessment of the performance of public science and technology organizations

1. The results of performance assessment and classification of public science and technology organizations serve as the basis for formulating and adjusting plans, plan for allocating and arranging the state budget, number of employees, organization arrangement and application of preferential policies for public science and technology organizations.

2. Organizations assessed and classified as Grade A – Excellent and Grade B – Good shall be allocated higher funding levels in the medium-term and annual budget plans to expand operation scale, implement new tasks, and enhance research capacity.

3. Organizations assessed and classified as Grade C – Average or Grade D – Poor shall be allocated funding corresponding to their task completion level; they must develop plans to improve their performance before being qualified to propose additional funding in subsequent cycles.

4. Adjustments to funding allocations shall be made annually or according to the assessment cycle, ensuring the linkage of public resource allocation with output results and the actual impact of science, technology and innovation activities.

Chapter V

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ACTIVITIES

Article 54. Contents of digital transformation in science, technology and innovation activities

1. Develop and operate comprehensive digital platforms to manage science, technology, and innovation activities; connect stakeholders within the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.

2. Digitize the results of science, technology, and innovation activities, including data generated during research processes to form scientific, technological, and innovation databases.

3. Apply digital technology to support the collection, processing, consolidation, analysis, forecasting, storage, search, use, and dissemination of science, technology, and innovation information.

4. Apply digital technology to assess the results and effectiveness of science, technology, and innovation activities:

a) Develop digital profile systems on the results and effectiveness of science, technology, and innovation activities of organizations, enterprises, and individuals;

b) Develop platforms supporting automated assessment, integrated with the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation;

c) Integrate digital identification systems for organizations, individuals engaging in science, technology, and innovation tasks.

5. Develop online public services in the field of science, technology, and innovation.

Article 55. Ensuring digital infrastructure for science, technology and innovation activities

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take charge and cooperate with relevant ministries and central authorities in developing mechanisms and policies for digital infrastructure development serving science, technology, and innovation activities; cooperate with the Ministry of Public Security in ensuring information security and data confidentiality concerning science, technology, and innovation.

2. Encouraging enterprises and organizations to participate in building and providing digital infrastructure for science, technology, and innovation activities.

Article 56. Application of artificial intelligence and big data in science, technology and innovation activities

1. The State encourages and enables the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to improve the efficiency and productivity of scientific research and technology development; support automation of scientific and technological information search, consolidation, and analysis; suggest research topics and innovative ideas; optimize organization, management, reporting, assessment of performance, and other supporting activities.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take charge in developing open scientific and technological databases to support scientific research, technology development, and innovation; apply AI and big data to analyze and assess technological trends, forecast strategies, plan policies for science, technology, and innovation development, assess investment effectiveness, and support decision-making in the field of science, technology, and innovation; issue technical guidance on the ethics of AI use in science, technology, and innovation activities.

3. The State encourages public-private partnerships in building, implementing, and sharing AI and big data tools and platforms; encourages scientists and organizations to share data on open scientific databases.

Article 57. Development of the national information system on science, technology and innovation

1. The National Information System on Science, Technology and Innovation includes the information specified in Clause 1 of Article 32 hereof.

2. The National Information System on Science, Technology and Innovation must meet requirements on information security and cybersecurity; have the capability to integrate, expand, connect, and share with other information systems and digital platforms; support electronic authentication and digital identification; and ensure appropriate access rights for different user groups.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take charge in building, operating, maintaining, and developing the National Information System on Science, Technology and Innovation; issuing regulations on data collection, updating, management, operation, use, connection, and sharing of data on the system.

4. Ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces/cities shall promptly provide, update completed and accurate data related to science, technology, and innovation activities under their management scope on the National Information System according to regulations issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Article 58. Development of the national digital platform for science, technology and innovation management

1. The National Digital Platform for Science, Technology and Innovation Management is a tool for comprehensive, centralized, and unified monitoring and management; assessment of results and effectiveness of science, technology and innovation activities from central to local levels; application of AI to assist the consolidation, analysis, assessment, and management of science, technology and innovation.

2. The platform is used to manage science, technology and innovation tasks, scientific and technological results and products, intellectual property and technology transfer, as well as financial and investment aspects for science, technology and innovation.

3. Science and technology management authorities at all levels and Funds in the science, technology and innovation sector must use the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology and Innovation Management to conduct management activities.

4. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take charge in building, operating, maintaining, and developing the National digital platform for science, technology and innovation management; issue guidelines for using such platform

Article 59. Handling violations against regulations on information provision and update on the national information system on science, technology and innovation

1. Organizations, enterprises, and individuals using state budget for science, technology and innovation activities who fail to provide or update information in accordance with Point a of Clause 1 of Article 33 on the National Information System shall be considered for suspension of further state budget funding for science, technology and innovation tasks or deemed ineligible to participate in the selection process for tasks funded by state budget.

2. For State science and technology regulatory authorities at all levels that do not fulfill their responsibility for updating relevant information to the National Information System, the Ministry of Science and Technology will review and reduce the fund for science, technology and innovation activities of such authorities in the plan for next year.

Article 60. Funding for information, statistics, assessment, and digital transformation in science, technology and innovation

1. Funding sources for information, statistics, assessment, digital transformation and other activities specified herein include:

a) State budgets (central government budget and local government budget) allocated within the annual estimates of ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces/cities in accordance with the Law on State Budget;

b) Proceeds from science assessment, information, statistics services and other services (if any);

c) Legitimate donations from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals.

2. Expenditures from the state budget for information, statistics, assessment, digital transformation and other activities include:

a) Construction, development, upgrade, and expansion of the National Information System and the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology and Innovation Management;

b) Capacity building for organizations performing public science information, statistics and assessment functions;

c) Routine tasks by functions and digital transformation of organizations performing public science information, statistics and assessment functions;

d) Establishment, development, update, and purchase of scientific, technological and innovation information sources; purchase of application software for science information, statistics and assessment;

dd) Maintenance and development of scientific and technological information networks, science and technology website, databases, digital libraries on science and technology;

e) Dissemination of scientific and technological information and knowledge to serve socio-economic development;

g) International cooperation and integration in information, statistics, assessment, and digital transformation in science, technology and innovation;

h) Hiring independent experts and independent assessment consulting organizations;

i) Statistical investigation and survey;

k) Other relevant activities regarding information, statistics, assessment, and digital transformation in science, technology and innovation.

3. The State encourages organizations and individuals to cooperate and donate for activities on information, statistics, assessment, digital transformation in science, technology and innovation and other relevant activities regulated herein.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION CLAUSES

Article 61. Transitional clauses

1. Certificates of registration of science and technology activities, certificates of operation for representative offices and/or branches issued by competent authorities before the effective date of this Decree shall remain legally valid until any changes occur. In case of any changes to the related information, the organization is responsible for registering such changes in accordance herewith.

2. For applications for registration of science and technology activities submitted to competent authorities for issuance of certificates of registration of science and technology activities or certificates of operation of representative office/branch before the effective date of this Decree but the such certificates have not yet been issued, the it shall continue to be processed in accordance with Decree No. 08/2014/ND-CP dated January 27, 2014, elaborating and providing guidance on the implementation of the Law on Science and Technology No. 29/2013/QH13 (hereinafter referred to as “Decree No. 08/2014/ND-CP”, but no later than 30 days from the effective date of this Decree

3. For science and technology organizations, representative offices, and branches established and registered before the effective date of this Decree, within 12 months from the effective date of this Decree, they must review their establishment conditions as prescribed herein; if they do not meet the requirements, they must complete and comply with the conditions stated in this Decree.

Article 62. Effect

1. This Decree comes into force from the date on which it is signed.

2. The regulations in Chapter II of Decree No. 08/2014/ND-CP, and Decree No. 11/2014/ND-CP dated February 18, 2014, on science and technology information shall cease to be effective from the effective date of this Decree, except for the regulations in Clause 2 of Article 61 hereof.

Article 63. Guidance and responsibility for implementation

1. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall apply the regulations on science, technology, and innovation information, statistics, and assessment herein and develop and issue regulations within their management.

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial agencies, heads of government agencies, Presidents of People’s Committees provinces/cities, and relevant organizations and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Decree./.

ON THE BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT
PP. PRIME MINISTER
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Nguyen Chi Dung

Decree No. 262/2025/ND-CP on elaborating and providing guidance on the implementation of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation regarding information, statistics, assessment, digital transformation and general issues

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