Decree No. 262/2025/NĐ-CP provides detailed regulations and guidance on implementing certain provisions of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation regarding information, statistics, evaluation, digital transformation, and general issues.

DECREE

Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation regarding information, statistics, evaluation, digital transformation, and general issues.

The Government promulgates this Decree to detail and guide the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation regarding integrity in science, professional ethics in scientific research and technological development; scientific journals; strategic, policy, plan, organization, program evaluation in science, technology, and innovation; digital transformation in scientific and technological activities and innovation; types of organizations operating in the field of science, technology, and innovation; scientific and technological organizations; establishment, restructuring, dissolution of public scientific and technological organizations; recognition of research and development centers and guiding the implementation of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation concerning scientific and technological information, statistical activities.

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

BASED ON THE LAW ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION NUMBER 93/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Minister of Science and Technology;

This Decree applies to organizations and individuals engaged in scientific research, technological development, and innovation in Vietnam, state agencies, organizations, and individuals related thereto.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. Scientific integrity refers to the requirements for honesty, fairness, responsibility, impartiality, and transparency in the scientific research and technological development activities of individuals involved in science and technology.

Article 2. Applicability

2. Professional ethics in scientific research and technological development consists of principles and standards of truthfulness, transparency, fairness, objectivity, respect for people and society that researchers must adhere to during the process of scientific research and technological development.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Decree, the following terms are understood as follows:

3. A foreign-invested scientific and technological organization is a scientific and technological organization established or co-funded by foreign organizations or individuals in cooperation with Vietnamese organizations or individuals in Vietnam.

4. Scientific, technological, and innovation information refers to data, facts, figures, news generated in scientific, technological, and innovation activities.

5. Statistical activities in science, technology, and innovation involve using a system of methods to collect, process, and analyze data on scientific, technological, and innovation activities to serve forecasting and decision-making processes.

6. Scientific evaluation involves systematically examining and analyzing, and issuing reports and objective assessments of the results, effectiveness, and impact of scientific, technological, and innovation activities.

7. Outcome assessment measures and analyzes the degree of achievement of set goals and indicators in plans or tasks.

8. Effectiveness assessment measures and analyzes the rationality and optimization of resource utilization compared to objectives and achieved results.

9. Impact assessment measures and analyzes long-term influences that a scientific, technological, or innovation program, plan, or task has on the economy, society, environment, or specific professional fields.

10. Double-blind peer review is a form of critique and evaluation of scientific journal articles where reviewers and authors remain anonymous to each other throughout the review process.

9. Impact assessment is the measurement and analysis of the long-term effects that a program, plan, or scientific, technological, and innovation mission brings about on the economy, society, environment, or specific professional fields.

10. Double-blind peer review is a form of critique and evaluation of a scientific article manuscript where both the reviewer and the author remain anonymous to each other throughout the review process.

Article 4. Scientific Integrity in Scientific Research and Technological Development

Individuals engaged in scientific research and technological development must adhere to the following principles of integrity:

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

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

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

4. Accountability for research results before the sponsoring organization, funding agency, scientific community, and society when required.

Article 5. Professional Ethics in Scientific Research and Technological Development

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

1. Compliance with legal regulations, without causing harm to society and the environment or violating human values.

2. Respect and ensure safety and dignity of research subjects, particularly humans. Do not infringe upon the rights and interests of research subjects.

3. Protect confidentiality and privacy of research subjects.

4. Not to abuse research resources for personal purposes.

5. Disclose conflicts of interest that may affect objectivity, independence, and research outcomes.

6. Respect colleagues and the scientific community.

Article 6. Acts Violating Scientific Integrity and Professional Ethics in Scientific Research and Technological Development

1. Acts violating scientific integrity include:

a) Fabrication of data, research results;

b) Falsification of data;

c) Plagiarism in all forms;

d) Inaccurate authorship attribution or exclusion of actual contributors;

đ) Obstructing, threatening, coercing, interfering with the process of evaluation, review, and publication of scientific research;

e) Other acts violating the principles of integrity stipulated in Article 4 of this Decree.

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

a) Concealing serious risks;

b) Disseminating false information, distorting research results;

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

d) Disclosing sensitive data collected during research without permission;

đ) Using equipment, funds, materials for personal purposes;

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

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

h) Conducting research that violates the dignity, honor, and privacy of individuals or communities;

i) Other acts violating the principles stipulated in Article 5 of this Decree.

3. Individuals violating the provisions of Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article may be subject to disciplinary action or other measures as prescribed by law.

4. In cases where an individual is concluded by the competent authority to have violated scientific integrity and professional ethics and has filed a complaint, suggestion, or reflection, such matters shall be resolved according to the law on complaints.

Article 7. Responsibility for guiding the application and monitoring compliance with scientific integrity and professional ethics

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue guidelines on scientific integrity and professional ethics in scientific research and technological development. The Ministry of Health shall issue guidelines on ethical provisions in human biological research.

2. Funding agencies for scientific research and technological development activities, and organizations for science and technology shall establish, implement, and monitor compliance with rules on scientific integrity and professional ethics based on the guidance documents stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. In cases where individuals suspected of violating scientific integrity and professional ethics in scientific research and technological development are discovered, the agency specified in Clause 2 of this Article shall organize preliminary verification, establish an advisory board consisting of suitable and independent individuals from the content of the case to conduct verification, work with relevant parties, determine whether there is or is not a violation, and issue a conclusion document on the violation.

4. During the process of reviewing and verifying violations of scientific integrity and professional ethics, the agency specified in Clause 2 of this Article must ensure the right to be informed, the right to explain, and the right to appeal for individuals accused of violations.

Article 8. Updating Information on Violations of Scientific Integrity and Professional Ethics on the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology, and Innovation Management

1. The competent authority issuing conclusions on violations of scientific integrity and professional ethics in scientific research and technological development of individuals specified in Clause 1 of Article 8 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation, Points b, d, đ of Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 6 of this Decree shall be responsible for updating information on the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology, and Innovation Management within five days from the date of issuing the conclusion.

2. Information updated on violations of scientific integrity and professional ethics (including cases where the violation conclusion is revoked) includes: Name of the violator individual; organization where the individual works; description of the violation behavior; affected academic products; conclusion, form of handling; effective period of the conclusion document.

3. The competent authority concluding on violations of scientific integrity and professional ethics shall decide on the statute of limitations and specific sanctions for individuals who commit violations and issue a conclusion document on the violation behavior.

Chapter II

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATIONS

Article 9. Types of Organizations Engaged in the Field of Science, Technology, and Innovation

1. Organizations engaged in the field of science, technology, and innovation include:

a) Science and technology organizations including academies, research institutes, research centers, laboratories, hospitals, higher education institutions, technology incubators, technology trading platforms, technology transfer centers, innovation centers, evaluation, inspection, testing, and certification organizations, and other forms decided by the Minister of Science and Technology;

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

c) State agencies, public service units, and other organizations with functions in science, technology, and innovation activities.

2. Organizations specified in Clause 1 of this Article include public organizations, non-public organizations, foreign-invested organizations registered, proposed, and implementing science, technology, and innovation tasks using state budget funds.

3. Science and technology organizations are granted business registration certificates and use seals of their units for production and business activities.

a) Science and technology organizations that have been granted science and technology organization certification and engage in production and business activities according to the charter of the science and technology organization must complete business registration procedures at the Business Registration Authority before conducting production and business activities; they are exempt from business registration fees. For public science and technology organizations, the capital of the organization is determined according to the laws on management and use of state assets, the financial autonomy mechanism of public service units, and decisions of the competent authority establishing and managing the science and technology organization. For non-public science and technology organizations and foreign-invested science and technology organizations, the capital of the organization is registered and the representative of the organization bears responsibility under the law. The business sectors of science and technology organizations must be consistent with the fields of activity in the science and technology organization registration certificate issued by the competent authority.

b) The Business Registration Authority, which belongs to the Department of Finance of the province or city, shall grant business registration to science and technology organizations whose main office is located within its jurisdiction, except in cases where the High-Tech Zone Management Board grants business registration to science and technology organizations whose main office is located within the high-tech zone.

c) Science and technology organizations specified in Point a of Clause 3 of this Article must fully and promptly fulfill their obligations regarding business registration, changes to business registration content, suspension of business operations, resumption of business operations before the suspension period, termination of business operations, publicizing business registration information on the National Portal for Enterprise Registration, reporting, and other obligations as prescribed, and bear responsibility for the truthfulness and accuracy of the information declared in the business registration dossier and reports.

d) Scientific and technological organizations have the right to engage in business operations from the date they are issued a Business Registration Certificate, except for businesses in industries or professions that require conditional registration. Scientific and technological organizations have the right to engage in businesses in industries or professions that require conditional registration when they are issued a Business Registration Certificate and fully meet the conditions for such businesses as prescribed.

đ) The Business Registration Certificate issued to scientific and technological organizations shall be revoked in the following cases: the scientific and technological organization has its Business Registration Certificate revoked or its validity terminated; the information declared in the business registration dossier is false; the scientific and technological organization fails to submit reports to the business registration authority within six months from the deadline for submitting such reports; at the request of the Court or the competent authority as prescribed by law.

e) The Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for: issuing or proposing the competent authority to issue legal normative documents on business registration; providing professional guidance on business registration work and reporting systems to serve business registration; developing the National Enterprise Registration Information System to facilitate business registration for scientific and technological organizations; coordinating with the Ministry of Science and Technology to transfer data of scientific and technological organizations that had registered their businesses before this Decree takes effect; supervising and inspecting the business registration authorities' performance of business registration for scientific and technological organizations. Specifying the application forms, procedures, and processes for business registration, suspension of business operations, resumption of business operations prior to the announced deadline, termination of business operations, revocation and restoration of the Business Registration Certificate of scientific and technological organizations; specifying the tasks and powers of the business registration authorities; specifying regulations on the publication, provision, exploitation, and sharing of business registration information of scientific and technological organizations; specifying the system of forms used in business registration for scientific and technological organizations.

Article 10. Conditions for Establishing Scientific and Technological Organizations

Scientific and technological organizations are established when they fully satisfy the following conditions:

1. Charter of Organization and Operation

a) Having a charter of organization and operation clearly stipulating: name, objectives, functions, tasks, fields of activity, organizational structure, rights and obligations of the organization, management and operational methods, conditions for division, merger, dissolution, and other contents as prescribed by law;

b) The name of the scientific and technological organization includes the full name, international trade name, and abbreviated name (if any), written using letters from the Vietnamese Alphabet; it may also include the letters F, J, Z, W, digits, and symbols, ensuring clarity and ease of pronunciation. The foreign language name of the scientific and technological organization is a translation from the Vietnamese name into one of the foreign languages using the Latin alphabet. When translating into a foreign language, the specific name of the scientific and technological organization can remain unchanged or be translated according to its corresponding meaning in the foreign language. The name of the organization must not be identical or cause confusion with the name of another legally operating organization in Vietnam; it must not use terms or symbols that violate historical traditions, culture, ethics, customs, or intellectual property rights;

c) Having a main office in Vietnam with a clear address based on administrative divisions, along with a telephone number and official email address;

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

đ) The field of activity being determined according to the second-level code of the Classification Table of Scientific and Technological Fields;

e) Clearly defining the organizational structure, tasks, and powers of leadership positions and management bodies;

g) Conditions, procedures, and processes for mergers, divisions, splits, and dissolutions (if applicable).

2. Scientific and Technological Human Resources

a) Having at least five full-time employees with a bachelor's degree or higher (for public scientific and technological organizations established according to the Government's regulations on establishing, restructuring, and dissolving public institutions), among whom at least 30% must have relevant expertise in each registered field;

b) For research organizations or organizations conducting both research and technology development, there must be at least one full-time Ph.D. with relevant expertise in each registered field;

c) The head of the organization must have a bachelor's degree or higher, possess professional expertise and appropriate management experience; for public scientific and technological organizations established in the form of institutes, the head must hold a Ph.D. degree.

3. Material and Technical Infrastructure Possessing lawful ownership or usage rights to headquarters, workshops, laboratories, equipment, intellectual property, and other technical means that meet the requirements for performing the functions and tasks of scientific and technological organizations.

Article 11. Competence to Establish Scientific and Technological Organizations

1. The Government establishes scientific and technological organizations under the Government.

2. The Prime Minister establishes or authorizes Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government to establish scientific and technological organizations under ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government.

3. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government establish scientific and technological organizations under ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government, except for cases prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

4. Provincial People's Committees and municipal people's committees establish local scientific and technological organizations within their competence.

5. Political organizations, political-social organizations, social organizations, and occupational associations establish scientific and technological organizations in accordance with the provisions of the law and their charters.

6. Higher education institutions, hospitals, enterprises, other organizations, and individuals establish their own scientific and technological organizations.

7. Individuals have the right to establish or contribute capital to establish scientific and technological organizations in fields consistent with the provisions of Clause 3, Article 43 of the Law on Science and Technology and Innovation, except for fields listed in the restricted list due to national defense, security, or state secrets as stipulated by specialized laws.

8. Agencies, organizations, and individuals that establish scientific and technological organizations have the authority to decide on restructuring, dissolving such organizations; and define the functions and tasks of the scientific and technological organizations they establish in compliance with the provisions of the law.

Article 12. Establishment, Restructuring, Dissolution of Public Scientific and Technological Organizations

1. Documents, conditions, procedures for establishing, restructuring, and dissolving public scientific and technological organizations shall be implemented in accordance with the Government's regulations on establishing, restructuring, and dissolving public service units.

2. The establishment of special scientific and technological organizations as prescribed in Article 46 of the Law on Science and Technology and Innovation is not required to meet the criteria and conditions set forth in the Government's regulations on establishing, restructuring, and dissolving public service units.

Article 13. Documents, Procedures for Establishing Scientific and Technological Organizations with Foreign Capital and Non-Public Scientific and Technological Organizations

1. The application documents for permission to establish scientific and technological organizations with foreign capital include:

a) An application form for permission to establish scientific and technological organizations with foreign capital according to Model No. 01 attached as Appendix I to this Decree;

b) Legal status confirmation documents of foreign organizations and individuals contributing capital;

c) Scientific curriculum vitae of the person expected to head the scientific and technological organization with foreign capital;

d) Draft charter of organization and operation;

đ) Project for establishing a scientific and technological organization, including: necessity for establishment; suitability with Vietnam's science, technology, and socio-economic development strategy and planning; objectives, contents, fields, scope of activities; projected scientific and technological human resources; scale of investment and financial analysis (if applicable);

e) Documents proving compliance with the conditions stipulated in Article 10 of this Decree;

g) Financial report audited or equivalent document in the most recent fiscal year of the foreign organization or individual contributing capital.

2. Documents in the application must be accompanied by a certified Vietnamese translation if prepared in a foreign language.

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

4. In cases where the establishment project of a scientific and technological organization is linked to construction investment, the application must include a feasibility study report in accordance with the law on construction investment.

5. Procedure for Processing Application Documents

a) The application for permission to establish a scientific and technological organization with foreign capital is submitted in one copy to the provincial or municipal people's committee at the location where the organization plans to establish its headquarters through online public services, directly, or via postal service. For applications submitted through online public services: Registration documents must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf), using Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnamese standard (TCVN 6909:2001), signed digitally or converted from paper, ensuring completeness, integrity, and accuracy of all contents as on paper;

b) Within five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the provincial or municipal people's committee is responsible for sending letters seeking opinions from relevant ministries and agencies;

c) Within ten working days from the date of receiving the request from the provincial or municipal people's committee, relevant ministries and agencies are responsible for replying in writing and bearing responsibility for the content of their replies according to their assigned administrative management functions;

d) Within thirty-five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the provincial or municipal people's committee examines and decides to grant permission to establish and approve the charter of organization and operation of the scientific and technological organization with foreign capital; sends copies of the establishment decision to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Public Security; the decision granting permission to establish and approving the charter of organization and operation of the scientific and technological organization with foreign capital issued by the competent authority has the same legal effect as the written decision granting permission to establish and approving the charter of organization and operation of the scientific and technological organization with foreign capital;

đ) In case of refusal to grant permission to establish, the provincial or municipal people's committee issues a notification letter to the applicant organization or individual, specifying the reasons;

e) Within sixty days from the date of issuance of the establishment permission decision, the scientific and technological organization with foreign capital must complete the establishment process and fulfill the registration procedure for obtaining the organization registration certificate from the competent authority.

6. Organizations and individuals decide on establishing non-public scientific and technological organizations of their own.

Article 14. Establishment of Overseas Affiliated Units of Science and Technology Organizations

1. Science and technology organizations with headquarters in Vietnam may establish overseas affiliated units (including science and technology organizations, representative offices, branches) when meeting the following conditions and procedures:

a) Submitting a proposal for establishing an overseas affiliated unit to the agency issuing the registration certificate of the science and technology organization's main management body according to Model No. 02 attached as Appendix I of this Decree;

b) A project for establishing an affiliated unit, clearly stating: necessity, objectives, content of activities, location, and organizational form;

c) Commitment to fully fulfill financial obligations towards the Government of Vietnam;

d) Commitment not to violate provisions stipulated in Article 14 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation and related laws.

2. The registration procedure shall be carried out as follows:

a) The application dossier for establishing an overseas affiliated unit shall be prepared in one set and sent to the agency issuing the registration certificate of the science and technology organization's main management body through the online public service system, directly, or via postal service; For applications submitted through the online public service system: Registration documents must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf), using Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnamese Standard (TCVN 6909:2001), signed digitally or scanned from paper copies, ensuring completeness, integrity, and accuracy of contents as per the paper version;

b) Within no more than three working days from the date of receiving the dossier, the competent authority shall check its completeness and validity. In case the dossier is incomplete or invalid, a written notice requesting amendments or supplements shall be issued;

c) Within ten working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the competent authority shall examine and issue a written notification regarding compliance with the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article. If rejected, a written response with reasons stated shall be provided. An electronic notification from the competent authority regarding compliance with the conditions has the same legal effect as a written paper notification.

3. Permission to establish an overseas affiliated unit shall be implemented in accordance with laws on international cooperation and foreign investment in the field of science and technology.

4. Within sixty days from the date of permission to establish, the science and technology organization shall be responsible for completing the establishment of the overseas affiliated unit and notifying in writing to the agency issuing the registration certificate of the science and technology organization's main management body.

Article 15. Representative Offices and Branches within the Country of Science and Technology Organizations

1. A representative office is a dependent unit of a science and technology organization established to act as an agent, representing and protecting the rights and legitimate interests of the organization within the scope assigned.

2. A branch is a dependent unit of a science and technology organization that carries out all or part of the functions of the organization, including acting as an agent.

3. Representative offices and branches of science and technology organizations do not have legal personality and may not conduct activities beyond the scope of authorization granted by the main management organization.

4. The fields of activity of representative offices and branches must be consistent with the registered fields of the main management science and technology organization as prescribed by law.

Article 16. Conditions for Establishing and Registering Domestic Representative Offices and Branches of Scientific and Technological Organizations

1. Domestic representative offices and branches of scientific and technological organizations shall be established when meeting the following conditions:

a) The establishment of representative offices and branches must be specifically stipulated in the charter of the scientific and technological organization regarding its organizational structure and operations;

b) A representative office must have at least two full-time employees with a bachelor's degree or higher; A branch must have at least three full-time employees with a bachelor's degree or higher, including at least one person with expertise relevant to the main field of activity registered; The head of the representative office or branch must hold a bachelor's degree or higher and work officially at the representative office or branch;

c) The representative office or branch must have its principal office in Vietnam with a clear administrative address, and must have a telephone number and official email address;

2. Scientific and technological organizations are responsible for registering their representative offices and branches with the specialized agencies under the People's Committee of the province or city where the representative office or branch is located. The registration dossier includes:

a) Application for registration of representative offices and branches of scientific and technological organizations according to Form No. 03 attached as Appendix I to this Decree;

b) Decision on establishing the representative office or branch;

c) Decision appointing the head of the representative office or branch;

d) Documents proving compliance with the human resource and office location requirements of the representative office or branch, including: Human resource list according to Form No. 04 attached as Appendix I to this Decree; Office location dossier of the representative office or branch as provided for in point e, Clause 1, Article 23 of this Decree;

đ) Copy of the certificate of registration of the scientific and technological organization of the managing organization;

3. The registration procedures are carried out as follows:

a) The registration dossier is prepared in one set and submitted to the competent authority specified in Clause 2 of this Article through the online public service system, directly, or sent via postal service. For dossiers submitted through the online public service system: The registration dossier must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf), using Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnamese Standard (TCVN 6909:2001), signed digitally or converted from paper version, ensuring completeness, integrity, and accuracy of contents as per the paper version;

b) Within no more than three working days from the date of receiving the dossier, the competent authority shall check its completeness and validity. In case the dossier is incomplete or invalid, a written notice requesting amendments or supplements shall be issued;

c) Within ten working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid dossiers, the competent authority shall review and issue a certificate for the representative office or branch of the scientific and technological 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 has the same legal effect as the paper certificate;

4. Scientific and technological organizations are responsible for submitting procedures to change, supplement, or reissue certificates for representative offices and branches at the agency that initially issued the certificates in cases where there are changes to the registered information or if the certificates are lost, damaged, torn, or contain errors;

a) The dossier for changing, supplementing, or reissuing certificates for representative offices and branches includes: Application for changing, supplementing, or reissuing certificates for representative offices and branches according to Form No. 05 attached as Appendix I to this Decree and supporting documents and dossiers proving the corresponding changes or supplements as follows: Change of name of the representative office or branch: The head of the representative office or branch must meet the conditions stipulated in point b, Clause 1, Article 16 of this Decree. Decision of the competent authority on renaming the representative office or branch. For cases of changing from a representative office to a branch, additional documents proving compliance with the conditions stipulated in point b, Clause 1, Article 16 of this Decree. Human resource list according to Form No. 04 attached as Appendix I to this Decree. Change of head of the representative office or branch: Decision appointing the head of the representative office or branch. Change of office location of the representative office or branch: Dossier on office location of the representative office or branch as provided for in point e, Clause 1, Article 23 of this Decree. Change or addition of fields of activity of the representative office or branch: Certificate of registration of the scientific and technological organization of the managing organization;

b) The procedures are carried out as follows: The dossier is prepared in one set and submitted to the competent authority issuing certificates for representative offices and branches as specified in Clause 2 of this Article, through the online public service system, submitted directly, or sent via postal service. For dossiers submitted through the online public service system: The registration dossier must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf), using Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnamese Standard (TCVN 6909:2001), signed digitally or converted from paper version, ensuring completeness, integrity, and accuracy of contents as per the paper version. Within three working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the competent authority will check the completeness and validity of the dossier and notify any required amendments or supplements if the dossier is not valid. Within ten working days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the competent authority will examine and issue a certificate for the representative office or branch that has been changed, supplemented, or reissued. In case of refusal to issue, a written notification stating the reasons must be sent to the related organizations or individuals. The certificate for the representative office or branch according to Form No. 06 attached as Appendix I to this Decree.

Article 17. Merger of scientific and technological organizations

1. One or more scientific and technological organizations (hereinafter referred to as the merged organization) may be merged into another scientific and technological organization (hereinafter referred to as the receiving organization) through the transfer of all assets, rights, obligations, and lawful interests of the merged organization to the receiving organization. After the merger, the merged organization ceases its legal entity status. The agency issuing the registration certificate for scientific and technological organizations updates the status of the merged organization in the database of registered scientific and technological organizations.

2. The procedures and formalities for merging scientific and technological organizations shall be carried out as follows:

a) Relevant scientific and technological organizations shall draft the merger agreement and the draft charter of the receiving organization's organizational structure and operations (amended and supplemented charter). The merger agreement must include the following main contents: Name and principal address of the receiving organization and the merged organization; procedures and conditions for the merger; labor utilization plan after the merger; procedures, deadlines, and conditions for transferring assets and converting the merged organization's equity contribution into the receiving organization's equity contribution (if applicable); deadline for implementing the merger;

b) Organizations and individuals with authority to establish relevant scientific and technological organizations decide on the merger, approve the merger agreement, and the amended charter of the receiving organization. The receiving organization is responsible for registering changes to the content of the registration certificate for scientific and technological organizations. The registration change file must include the merger agreement and the amended charter. The merger agreement must be sent to all creditors (if any) and notified to employees within fifteen working days from the date of approval;

c) After completing the registration change procedures as prescribed, the merged organization officially ceases operations; the receiving organization succeeds all rights, obligations, responsibilities regarding assets, labor contracts, and other financial obligations of the merged organization.

Article 18. Consolidation of scientific and technological organizations

1. Two or more scientific and technological organizations (hereinafter referred to as the consolidated organizations) may consolidate to form a new scientific and technological organization (hereinafter referred to as the consolidated organization).

2. After consolidation, the consolidated organization must complete the establishment registration procedures as stipulated in this Decree and succeed all rights, obligations, assets, contracts, labor, and lawful interests of the consolidated organizations. The consolidated organizations cease their legal entity status. The agency issuing the registration certificate for scientific and technological organizations updates the status of the consolidated organizations in the database of registered scientific and technological organizations.

3. Organizations and individuals with authority to establish scientific and technological organizations issue a decision to consolidate; the registration file for the consolidated organization must include the consolidation decision, the consolidation agreement, and the consolidated organization's charter.

Article 19. Division of scientific and technological organizations

1. A scientific and technological organization may be divided into two or more new scientific and technological organizations. After division, the divided organization ceases operations. The agency issuing the registration certificate for scientific and technological organizations updates the status of the divided organization in the database of registered scientific and technological organizations.

2. The decision to divide a scientific and technological organization is issued by organizations and individuals with authority to establish the divided scientific and technological organization, in accordance with the provisions of this Decree and the organization's charter. The division decision must include the following main contents:

a) Name and principal address of the divided scientific and technological organization;

b) Proposed name and basic information of the new scientific and technological organizations formed after division;

c) Principles and procedures for dividing assets;

d) Labor utilization plan;

đ) Procedures, deadlines, and conditions for converting equity contributions (if applicable);

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

g) Deadline for implementing the division of the scientific and technological organization. The division decision for the scientific and technological organization must be sent to all creditors (if any) and notified to employees within fifteen working days from the date the decision becomes effective.

3. After the new scientific and technological organizations are registered according to regulations, the divided organization ceases its legal entity status. The newly established organizations are jointly responsible for fulfilling unpaid obligations, labor contracts, asset obligations, and other legal obligations of the divided organization, except where otherwise agreed in writing by the parties involved.

4. New scientific and technological organizations formed after division must meet all establishment conditions stipulated in this Decree and complete the registration procedures for scientific and technological organizations. The registration file must include the division decision for the scientific and technological organization.

Article 20. Splitting scientific and technological organizations

1. Scientific and technological organizations may implement splitting by transferring part of assets, rights, and obligations to one or several new scientific and technological organizations (hereinafter referred to as the organization being split) without ceasing the existence of the scientific and technological organization being split.

2. The splitting of scientific and technological organizations shall be carried out according to the decision of the organization or individual with the authority to establish the scientific and technological organization being split, in accordance with this Decree and the organizational charter. The splitting decision must include the following main contents:

a) Name and main address of the scientific and technological organization being split;

b) Name and basic information of the scientific and technological organization being split;

c) Labor utilization plan;

d) Value of assets, rights, and obligations transferred from the organization being split to the organization being split;

đ) Time limit for implementing the splitting of scientific and technological organizations. The splitting decision must be sent to all creditors (if any) and notified to employees within fifteen working days from the date the decision takes effect.

3. The organization being split and the organization being split shall jointly bear responsibility for unpaid debts (if any), property obligations, labor contracts, and recruitment decisions arising from the organization being split, except where there is a different agreement approved in writing by the relevant parties.

4. New scientific and technological organizations established after splitting must meet all conditions and follow the procedures and formalities for establishment registration as prescribed in this Decree. The establishment registration dossier must be accompanied by the decision to split the scientific and technological organization.

Article 21. Dissolution of scientific and technological organizations

1. Dissolution of scientific and technological organizations is the termination of the operation of scientific and technological organizations in accordance with the law. Dissolution shall be carried out in the following cases:

a) By the decision of the agency, organization, or individual with the authority to establish;

b) The scientific and technological organization has its registration certificate revoked or its validity canceled in accordance with the law;

c) Other cases as provided by specialized laws or the organizational charter and operational regulations (if there are provisions on the duration of operation and non-renewal upon expiration thereof).

2. A scientific and technological organization can only be dissolved when it has completed the payment of all debts, property obligations, labor contracts, and other legal obligations arising before the dissolution date.

3. The dissolution of public scientific and technological organizations shall be implemented in accordance with the Government's regulations on the establishment, restructuring, and dissolution of public service units.

4. The dissolution of non-public scientific and technological organizations, organizations with foreign investment capital shall be carried out as follows:

a) The organization or individual with the authority to establish decides to dissolve the scientific and technological organization. The dissolution decision must include the following main contents: name, main address of the organization; reason for dissolution; time limit, procedures for liquidation of assets, payment of debts (no more than six months from the effective date of the dissolution decision); plan for handling labor contracts, recruitment decisions; full name, signature of the legal representative; organization or individual responsible for asset liquidation, except where the charter provides for the establishment of a separate liquidation organization;

b) Within ten working days from the issuance date, the dissolution decision must be sent to the organization registration agency, creditors (if any), employees, and related parties; publicly posted at the main office, branches, and representative offices of the scientific and technological organization; published in at least one local newspaper in three consecutive issues or on the electronic portal of the ministry, sector, or provincial/municipal people's committee where the main office is located; notification to creditors (if any) must clearly state the debt resolution plan, including: creditor's name, address; amount of debt; payment deadline, location, method; method and deadline for handling creditor complaints;

c) Within ten working days from the completion of debt payments, property obligations, and procedures as stipulated in point a of this clause, the legal representative of the scientific and technological organization must send a notice of the completion of dissolution obligations to the organization registration agency along with the dissolution confirmation dossier.

Article 22. Competence to Issue Certificates for Registration of Science and Technology Organizations

1. The agency responsible for information and statistics under the Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue certificates for registration of science and technology organizations to 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 of this Decree, central agencies of political organizations, political-social organizations, social organizations, occupational-social organizations, universities, and hospitals under ministries and central agencies.

2. The specialized agency on science and technology under the People's Committee of the province or city where the main office of the science and technology organization is located shall issue certificates for registration of science and technology organizations to organizations not covered by Clause 1 of this Article.

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

a) Issuing, reissuing, changing, and supplementing information on certificates for registration of science and technology organizations;

b) Revoking the right to use or recalling or invalidating the effect of certificates for registration of science and technology organizations issued according to the provisions of the law;

c) Immediately after issuing the Certificate for Registration of Science and Technology Organization, the competent authority issuing the Certificate must update the information into the Database on Registration of Science and Technology Organizations.

Article 23. Documents, Procedures, and Formalities for Registration of Science and Technology Organizations

1. The documents for registration of science and technology organizations include:

a) Application for registration of science and technology organizations according to Form No. 07 attached as Appendix I to this Decree;

b) Decision on establishment of science and technology organizations;

c) Decision on appointment of the head of the organization by the competent authority. Scientific curriculum vitae of the head of the science and technology organization according to Form No. 08 attached as Appendix I to this Decree;

d) Charter of organization and operation approved by the establishment agency, organization, or individual. Charter of science and technology organizations established by individuals according to Form No. 09 attached as Appendix I to this Decree;

đ) Documents proving compliance with conditions regarding human resources and material-technical facilities as stipulated in Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 10 of this Decree, including: List of human resources according to Form No. 04 attached as Appendix I to this Decree; Declaration of material-technical facilities according to Form No. 10 attached as Appendix I to this Decree;

e) Documents proving the main office must have one of the following papers: Papers proving ownership of the house or land use rights of the science and technology organization at the location of the main office, or lease or loan contracts for the location of the main office, accompanied by papers proving ownership of the house or land use rights of the lessor or lender, or papers proving permission to lease or lend of the lessor or lender;

g) In addition to the main office, science and technology organizations may register other activity locations within the same province or city where the main office is located. The documents for registering other activity locations apply like those for the main office.

2. The documents for registration of science and technology organizations for universities and hospitals include the documents prescribed in Points a, b, c, and d of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The registering organizations and individuals are responsible for truthfulness, accuracy, and bear legal responsibility for the entire content declared in the documents as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

4. The procedures and formalities for registration are carried out as follows:

a) The registration documents are prepared in one set and sent to the competent authority specified in Article 22 of this Decree through the online public service system, directly, or by post. For documents submitted through the online public service system: The registration documents must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf), using Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnam Standard (TCVN 6909:2001), signed digitally or scanned from paper copies, ensuring completeness, integrity, and accuracy of all contents according to the paper version;

b) Within no more than five working days from the date of receiving the documents, the competent authority will check their completeness and validity. If the documents are incomplete or invalid, a written notice requesting corrections or supplements must be issued;

c) Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the competent authority will conduct an assessment and issue the certificate for registration of science and technology organizations. If the application is rejected, a written response with the reasons must be provided. The electronic certificate for registration of science and technology organizations issued by the competent authority has the same legal value as the paper certificate. The form of the certificate for registration of science and technology organizations is according to Form No. 11 attached as Appendix I to this Decree.

Article 24. Documents, procedures, and formalities for changing, supplementing, or reissuing the registration certificate of scientific and technological organizations

1. Scientific and technological organizations shall be responsible for implementing the procedures to request changes, supplements, or reissuance of the registration certificate of scientific and technological organizations in cases where there are adjustments to registered information or where the Certificate is lost, damaged, torn, or contains errors.

2. The application dossier for requesting changes, supplements, or reissuance of the registration certificate of scientific and technological organizations includes:

a) An application form for requesting changes, supplements, or reissuance of the registration certificate of scientific and technological organizations according to Model No. 05 attached as Appendix I to this Decree;

b) Documentation and dossiers proving the content of changes or supplements corresponding to each case as follows: Change of organization name: Decision of the competent authority regarding the change of the name of the scientific and technological organization. Change or supplement of the field of operation of the organization: Decision of the competent authority regarding the change or supplement of the field of operation of the scientific and technological organization; dossier on human resources and technical infrastructure in accordance with Point d, Clause 1, Article 23 of this Decree. Change of the name of the establishment decision-making body or direct management body of the organization: Decision to change the name of the establishment decision-making body or direct management body or change the direct management body of the scientific and technological organization. Change of the head of the organization: Dossier of the head of the organization in accordance with Point c, Clause 1, Article 23 of this Decree. Change of the main office location of the organization (except in the case stipulated in Point e of this clause): Dossier on the main office location in accordance with Point e, Clause 1, Article 23 of this Decree;

c) In the case where a scientific and technological organization changes its main office location (moving to another province/city from where the registration certificate was issued) leading to a change in the issuing authority: The scientific and technological organization submits the dossier to the competent authority issuing the certificate at the new main office address. The dossier includes: An application form for changing or supplementing the registration certificate of the scientific and technological organization according to Model No. 05 attached as Appendix I to this Decree; dossier on the main office location in accordance with Point e, Clause 1, Article 23 of this Decree; information about the old Certificate (number, date, and issuing authority) recorded on the new Certificate to ensure the continuity of the organization's operations. The organization must have a written request to change the main office location sent to the issuing authority and return the original Certificate. Within seven working days, the issuing authority will issue a confirmation document stating that the scientific and technological organization has completed the procedures and send a copy of the Certificate and the dossier for issuing the registration certificate of the scientific and technological organization to the issuing authority at the new location.

3. The procedures are carried out as follows:

a) The dossier is established in one set and submitted to the competent authority issuing the registration certificate of scientific and technological organizations as prescribed in Article 22 of this Decree, through the online public service system, submitted directly, or sent via postal service; For dossiers submitted through the online public service system: The registration dossier must use the Portable Document Format (.pdf), using Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) in accordance with Vietnam Standard (TCVN 6909:2001), signed digitally or scanned from the paper version, ensuring completeness, integrity, and accuracy of the contents according to the paper version.

b) Within five working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the competent authority checks the completeness and validity of the dossier and notifies requests for amendments or supplements if the dossier is not valid;

c) Within ten working days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the competent authority examines and issues the registration certificate of scientific and technological organizations that have been changed, supplemented, or reissued. In the event of refusal to issue, a notification letter specifying the reasons must be sent to the relevant organizations or individuals.

Article 25. Registration and Reporting Obligations of Scientific and Technological Organizations, Representative Offices, and Branches

1. Within sixty days from the date of establishment, scientific and technological organizations, representative offices, and branches of scientific and technological organizations shall be responsible for registering with the competent authority issuing the scientific and technological organization registration certificate in accordance with Article 22 of this Decree and the representative office and branch registration certificate under Clause 2, Article 16 of this Decree.

2. Scientific and technological organizations, representative offices, and branches of scientific and technological organizations shall be responsible for implementing regular annual reporting and ad hoc reporting as required by state management agencies on science and technology, to the agency that issued the scientific and technological organization registration certificate, the representative office and branch registration certificate.

3. Reporting System

a) Scientific and technological organizations, representative offices, and branches of scientific and technological organizations submit regular reports before December 15 each year;

b) When requested by a competent state agency, scientific and technological organizations, representative offices, and branches of scientific and technological organizations must provide reports, supply documents, and explain related issues.

4. Responsibility for Preparing and Submitting Reports

a) Scientific and technological organizations, representative offices, and branches of scientific and technological organizations have the obligation to comply fully and accurately with the indicators specified in each report form; prepare reports according to the prescribed reporting deadlines and periods; bear responsibility for the authenticity of the information in the reports;

b) Method of submitting reports: The operation status report of scientific and technological organizations, representative offices, and branches of scientific and technological organizations shall be submitted in paper or electronic form: Paper reports must be signed and stamped by the representative of the scientific and technological organization, representative office, or branch to serve verification, comparison, and data processing; Electronic reports must be digitally signed by the leader of the scientific and technological organization, representative office, or branch and must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf) using Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnam Standard (TCVN 6909:2001), without password protection, and sent to the email address of the issuing agency. The operation status report form of scientific and technological organizations is Model No. 12 attached at Appendix I of this Decree. The operation status report form of representative offices and branches of scientific and technological organizations is Model No. 13 attached at Appendix I of this Decree.

Article 26. Revocation, Withdrawal, and Nullification of the Effectiveness of the Scientific and Technological Organization Registration Certificate, Representative Office and Branch Registration Certificate

1. The scientific and technological organization registration certificate will be revoked for a maximum period of six months in the following cases:

a) The organization does not implement the reporting system as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 25 of this Decree within one month from the date of receipt of the request letter;

b) The organization no longer meets the operating conditions specified in Clauses 2 and 3, Article 10 of this Decree for a continuous period of twelve months;

c) The organization does not complete the procedures for changing, supplementing, or reissuing the scientific and technological organization registration certificate within six months from the date of change occurrence or from the time the certificate was lost or damaged.

2. The scientific and technological organization registration certificate will be withdrawn or nullified in the following cases:

a) The organization falsifies content in the application documents to obtain the registration certificate;

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

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

3. The issuing authority of the scientific and technological organization registration certificate has the authority to issue decisions to revoke the right to use or withdraw or nullify the effectiveness of the certificate and shall perform the following responsibilities:

a) Notify in writing the People's Committee of the province or city where the organization is headquartered and the direct management agency of the organization (if any);

b) Publicize information about the revocation of the right to use or withdrawal or nullification of the certificate on its website;

c) Update information in the database on scientific and technological organization registration.

4. The representative office and branch registration certificate will be revoked for a maximum period of six months in the following cases:

a) Not commencing operations within twelve months from the date of obtaining the representative office and branch registration certificate;

b) Ceasing operations for more than twelve consecutive months without a valid reason;

c) Failing to meet the minimum corresponding conditions stipulated in Clause 1, Article 16 of this Decree for a continuous period of twelve months;

d) Not registering changes, supplements, or reissuance of the representative office and branch registration certificate within twelve months from the date of change, supplementation, or loss of the representative office and branch registration certificate;

đ) In case the main managing organization’s registration certificate is revoked, the representative office and branch registration certificate will be revoked for the same duration as the main managing organization’s registration certificate.

5. The representative office and branch registration certificate will be withdrawn or nullified in the following cases:

a) Falsifying content in the declaration documents to obtain the representative office and branch registration certificate;

b) According to the decision or recommendation of competent authorities when the representative office and branch violate during their operation.

c) Exceeding the deadline for revoking the certificate of representative office or branch without taking corrective measures or failing to rectify as required by the competent authority;

d) The certificate of scientific and technological organization of the managing agency being revoked or rendered ineffective;

đ) Pursuant to the decision to terminate the operations of the representative office or branch of the managing scientific and technological organization;

6. The issuing authority shall issue a decision to revoke the right to use, recover, or render ineffective the certificate of representative office or branch that has been issued to the representative office or branch in cases stipulated in Clause 4 and Clause 5 of this Article and notify relevant agencies and organizations;

Article 27. Recognition of Research and Development Centers

1. Principles for recognizing research and development centers

a) An organization requesting recognition as a research and development center shall submit an application to the competent state agency as prescribed in Article 22 and shall be responsible under the law for the legality, truthfulness, and accuracy of the information declared in the application;

b) The competent state agency responsible for recognition shall be liable for the validity of the recognition application but shall not be responsible for any violations of the law committed by the organization before and after recognition;

c) The competent state agency responsible for recognition shall not resolve disputes between the recognized organization and other organizations or individuals;

d) The recognition certificate for a research and development center shall have a validity period of five years;

2. Conditions for recognizing research and development centers An organization shall be recognized as a research and development center if it meets all of the following conditions:

a) It has legal personality, is legally established, and registered as a scientific and technological organization in accordance with Vietnamese law;

b) Its main functions and tasks are scientific research and technological development, clearly stated in one of the following documents: Decision on establishment, Charter of Organization and Operation, or registration certificate for scientific and technological organization;

c) It has a full-time research staff of at least ten people, including at least one Ph.D. in a field relevant to the organization's scientific research and technological development activities;

d) It has appropriate facilities and equipment for research, meeting the requirements for conducting scientific research and technological development activities in the registered fields, and either owns them or has legitimate rights to use them;

đ) It has stable financial resources, ensuring a minimum annual expenditure or commitment of two billion VND for scientific research and technological development activities;

e) It has research results applied, transferred, or commercialized within the last five years; or has valid patent applications, utility model applications, plant variety applications, or computer software copyright applications accepted by the competent authority in accordance with intellectual property laws;

Article 28. Application Documents, Procedures, and Formalities for Recognizing Research and Development Centers

1. Application documents for recognizing research and development centers include:

a) A request for recognition of a research and development center, specifying the objectives, main areas of activity, and commitment to comply with legal regulations;

b) Certified copies of the following documents: Decision on establishment, Charter of Organization and Operation;

c) List of full-time research staff meeting the requirements set out in Point c, Clause 2, Article 27 of this Decree;

d) Documentation proving the level of expenditure or commitment to expenditure for scientific research and technological development activities;

đ) Documentation proving research results applied, transferred, or commercialized within the last five years; or documentation confirming the submission of patent applications, utility model applications accepted by the competent authority in accordance with the law;

2. Procedures and formalities for recognizing research and development centers:

a) An organization wishing to apply for recognition as a research and development center shall prepare one set of documents and submit it to the competent authority as prescribed in Article 22 of this Decree through the online public service system, direct submission, or postal service; For applications submitted through the online public service system: The application must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf), using Vietnamese Unicode font (Times New Roman) according to Vietnam Standard (TCVN 6909:2001), signed digitally or converted from paper, ensuring completeness, integrity, and accuracy of the contents compared to the paper version;

b) Within five working days from the date of receiving the application, the competent authority shall check the completeness and validity of the application. If the application is incomplete or invalid, a written request for amendment or supplementation shall be issued;

c) Within thirty working days from the date of receiving a valid application, the competent authority shall establish an Advisory Council for Recognizing Research and Development Centers, conduct an assessment, and issue a recognition certificate for research and development centers. In case of refusal, a written response with reasons shall be provided. The electronic recognition certificate of the competent authority shall have the same legal effect as the paper-based recognition certificate;

3. Model of the recognition certificate for research and development centers according to Model No. 14 in Appendix I attached to this Decree.

Article 29. Advisory Council for Reviewing Applications to Recognize Research and Development Centers

1. The Advisory Council for Reviewing Applications to Recognize Research and Development Centers (hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Recognition Council) shall consist of from nine to eleven members, including the Chair, Vice-Chair, and council members, among which two members are critical reviewers who are experts with deep understanding of the assigned advisory field. The Advisory Recognition Council must have at least half of its members as reputable experts with relevant expertise and at least five years of experience in the assigned advisory field; the remaining members are representatives of state management agencies, policy-making bodies, and enterprises.

2. Principles of Operation of the Advisory Recognition Council

a) A meeting of the Advisory Recognition Council shall be held when at least two-thirds of the Council's members are present, including the Chair or Vice-Chair presiding over the meeting and having at least two critical reviewers present. Written opinions of absent members only serve as reference. In necessary cases, the Advisory Recognition Council may recommend the competent state agency to establish an Advisory Recognition Council to invite additional experts outside the Advisory Recognition Council to evaluate the application.

b) The Advisory Recognition Council operates on the principles of democracy and objectivity. Members of the Advisory Recognition Council are responsible for reviewing honestly, objectively, and fairly. Each member of the Advisory Recognition Council bears individual responsibility for their review opinion and collective responsibility for the Council's conclusion.

3. Procedures for the Operation of the Advisory Recognition Council

a) The Advisory Recognition Council assigns one member to act as secretary to record the opinions of the members, minutes of the Council's work results, and other related documents;

b) Critical reviewers present their opinions and comments on each content and information declared in the assigned advisory application; assess the degree of compliance with the criteria for research and development centers as prescribed;

c) The Council discusses and provides feedback on each criterion and condition related to the evaluation of the assigned advisory application. In cases where external experts are invited, after answering questions from Council members, these experts will not continue to attend the Council's meetings;

d) The Council conducts voting to evaluate the application. The Council elects a Counting Committee (consisting of three Council members, including one Head) and proceeds with secret ballot voting on whether to agree or disagree with the application's request;

đ) The Council unifies the review result agreeing with the application's request when more than three-quarters of the Council members present vote "Agree"; unifies the review result "Disagree" with the application's request in all other cases. The Council's work results are recorded in minutes and signed by participating members. The Council's evaluation form follows Model No. 15 in Appendix I issued together with this Decree.

Article 30. Authority to Recognize, Revoke, or Invalidate the Certificate of Recognition for Research and Development Centers

1. The authority issuing the Registration Certificate for Scientific and Technological Organizations pursuant to Article 22 of this Decree has the authority to recognize, revoke, or invalidate the certificate of recognition for research and development centers.

2. Research and Development Centers shall have their certificates of recognition revoked or invalidated in the following circumstances:

a) Not commencing operations within twelve months from the date of issuance of the certificate of recognition;

b) Engaging in fraudulent behavior in the application for recognition of research and development centers;

c) Violating any prohibitive provisions stipulated in the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation;

d) Failing to implement reporting and updating of organizational activities on the National Digital Platform for Managing Science, Technology, and Innovation;

đ) No longer meeting the conditions prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 27 of this Decree during the course of operation;

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

3. Decisions to revoke or invalidate the certificate of recognition for research and development centers must be notified in writing to the research and development center, the direct managing agency of the center (if any), relevant agencies, and simultaneously updated on the National Digital Platform for Managing Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Chapter III

INFORMATION AND STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES

Section I INFORMATION ACTIVITIES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Article 31. Principles of Information Activities in Science, Technology and Innovation

Information activities in science, technology and innovation must comply with the following principles:

1. Accuracy, objectivity, completeness, timeliness; effectiveness in exploitation, utilization, and management.

2. Ensuring the rights and interests of organizations and individuals in accessing, exploiting, and utilizing according to the provisions of the law.

3. Adhering to legal regulations on protecting state secrets, securing scientific and technological information; not infringing upon national interests.

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

5. Aimed at disseminating and spreading knowledge, approaching international practices and standards, suitable to Vietnam's specific characteristics.

Article 32. Types of Information Activities in Science, Technology and Innovation

Types of information activities in science, technology and innovation include:

1. Establishing and developing domestic and international sources of scientific and technological information.

2. Collecting, analyzing scientific, technological, and innovation information to serve forecasting, strategic planning, policy-making, 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 scientific, technological, and innovation information and knowledge.

5. Searching, exploiting, and using scientific, technological, and innovation information.

6. Other forms of information activities in science, technology and innovation in accordance with current legal regulations.

Article 33. Management of Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Information

1. Collection, updating, supplementation, and development of sources of scientific, technological, and innovation information

a) Sources of scientific, technological, and innovation information collected include: information on scientific, technological, and innovation tasks, scientific and technological publications, scientific and technological human resources, scientific and technological organizations, investment in science, technology, and innovation, patents, useful solutions, crop and livestock varieties, aquaculture, technology transfer, science and technology enterprises, high-tech enterprises, innovative start-up enterprises, start-up support centers, standards, measurement, quality, radiation and nuclear safety, atomic energy, and other scientific, technological, and innovation information;

b) Information on scientific, technological, and innovation tasks (including information on ongoing tasks, results of task implementation, application of task implementation results) is collected through the National Digital Platform for Managing Science, Technology, and Innovation; centrally and uniformly managed on the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation; connected to related information systems. The content of scientific, technological, and innovation task information updated on the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation is specified in Appendix II issued together with this Decree;

c) Organizations, businesses, and individuals using state budget or benefiting from state preferential policies to carry out scientific, technological, and innovation activities have the responsibility to register organizational and individual information; update information on scientific, technological, and innovation activities as stipulated in point a Clause 1 of this Article on the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation. Encouraging organizations and individuals not using the state budget to provide, update, and share scientific, technological, and innovation information as stipulated in point a Clause 1 of this Article on the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation;

d) Sources of scientific, technological, and innovation information are supplemented through purchasing scientific, technological, and innovation materials or accessing domestic and international scientific, technological, and innovation database services.

2. Processing, classification, standardization, and storage of information

a) Scientific, technological, and innovation information is processed, classified by field, industry, standardized keywords, with electronic identification codes, linked to related data components; organized into databases capable of connecting and sharing with related information systems and databases;

b) Scientific, technological, and innovation information is stored long-term in digital and physical formats; complying with technical requirements for connection, sharing, security, and information protection.

3. Scientific, technological, and innovation information is managed and publicly disclosed on the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation in full-text, summary, or open data format, except for information containing state secret content; ensuring copyright and exploitation rights of related organizations and individuals, except for confidential information.

4. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall specify detailed regulations on collecting, updating, managing, sharing, exploiting, and using scientific, technological, and innovation information on the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation.

5. Ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, government agencies, provincial people's committees, city people's committees have the responsibility to appoint information officers for science and technology to carry out the collection, updating, management, sharing, exploitation, and use of scientific, technological, and innovation information.

Article 34. Development and Sharing of Scientific, Technological Information and Innovation

1. The State ensures resources to establish, develop, and share scientific, technological information and innovation both domestically and internationally.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take the lead in concentrating international scientific, technological information and innovation using state budget for research organizations and technology development institutions, higher education establishments; regulate, coordinate supplementation and sharing of scientific, technological information and innovation among information organizations, libraries, research and technology development organizations, higher education establishments, businesses, and startup support organizations through a combined library model.

3. Encourage organizations and individuals to invest and sponsor activities related to the development of scientific, technological information and innovation.

Article 35. Utilization of Scientific, Technological Information and Innovation

1. Science and technology management agencies under ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees must use the National Information System on Science, Technology and Innovation to serve administrative operations, state management, and information retrieval for managing science, technology, and innovation programs funded by the state budget.

2. Organizations and individuals may exploit and utilize scientific, technological information and innovation from the National Information System on Science, Technology and Innovation to serve leadership, management, scientific research and technology development, education and training, production, and business.

Article 36. Scientific Journals

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

1. Academic Content Criteria

a) It has clear aims and purposes reflecting consistent professional scientific scope;

b) Articles published must be original research papers, scientific review articles, academic exchange/rebuttal articles, contributing new insights academically or practically;

c) It is published in standard Vietnamese or academic English, or another language using standardized citation and reference lists according to international conventions.

2. Editorial Board Criteria

a) At least 50% of the editorial board members must be external experts from outside the main managing agency;

b) Members of the editorial board and editorial staff must have appropriate professional qualifications.

3. Peer Review Process Criteria

a) There must be a transparent process of receiving, reviewing, deciding, and revising articles, publicly disclosed on the journal’s website;

b) Blind peer review must be applied with a minimum of two independent reviews for each article;

c) Peer review files must be stored for at least five years.

4. Publishing Standards Criteria

a) The journal must have an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) issued by the competent authority;

b) There must be regulations on publishing scientific standards according to international conventions;

c) There must be a public policy on plagiarism detection, article withdrawal, conflict of interest handling, and publication rights;

d) Articles violating copyright, fake data, or misleading citations will not be accepted.

5. Transparency and Accessibility Criteria

a) The journal must have an updated electronic website providing full information (aims, editorial board list, peer review policy, submission guidelines, author instructions);

b) Full-text articles must be published with abstracts, keywords, and Digital Object Identifier (DOI) if available.

6. Indexing Criteria

Article 37. Editorial Board of the Journal

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

2. Professional standards and experience of editorial board members

a) Members of the editorial board must hold a Master's degree or higher, with at least 60% holding a Doctorate degree or being a Professor or Associate Professor.

b) They must have published scientific articles indexed in international journals or reputable domestic scientific journals in the last five years.

c) They must have at least five years of experience in scientific research, university teaching, or management of science and technology.

3. Standards for scientific integrity and professional ethics Members of the editorial board shall not violate scientific integrity and professional ethics in scientific, technological, and innovation activities; they shall not abuse power to interfere with review outcomes; and they shall not handle papers where there is a conflict of interest.

Article 38. Process for Selecting Scientific Articles

The selection process includes the following steps:

1. Receiving submissions through the online system or according to the form specified by the journal and conducting a preliminary format review. Submissions that do not meet the requirements will be rejected or asked to be revised before entering the review process.

2. Preliminary assessment of the suitability of the submission to the scope and academic orientation of the journal. If the submission is unsuitable or does not meet quality standards, it may be rejected. A notification of rejection from the journal will be sent to the author.

3. Assigning independent peer reviews. Each submission is sent to at least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise, ensuring no conflicts of interest.

4. Compiling peer review comments and deciding whether to accept the submission without revisions, request revisions and re-evaluation after the author makes changes, or reject the submission.

5. The author revises based on feedback and resubmits the revised version along with a detailed explanation of the changes made. The revised version may be returned to the reviewers if necessary.

6. The Chief Editor, based on the peer review comments and the final evaluation by the editorial board, decides to officially accept the submission and include it in the publication plan while notifying the author.

Article 39. Classification of Scientific Journals

1. Scientific journals must be regularly evaluated and classified based on their academic quality, fitting the national context and international practices. The evaluation and classification of scientific journals serve as the basis for developing funding and support policies for the development of scientific journals.

2. Scientific journals are classified as follows: Class 1: occupying approximately 25% of the highest scoring journals in each evaluation round; Class 2: occupying the next 25%; Class 3: occupying the next 25%; Class 4: occupying the remaining 25%.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology specifies the criteria and methods for evaluating and classifying Vietnamese scientific journals, builds a database of Vietnamese scientific citations to facilitate journal evaluation and classification; issues a list and organizes regular annual evaluations and classifications of scientific journals; develops and implements programs to support the development of scientific journals to international standards.

4. The results of the evaluation and classification of scientific journals serve as the basis for implementing support to enhance the capacity of scientific journals to reach international standards from the state budget and for assessing the effectiveness of science and technology organizations.

Section 2

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL STATISTICS AND INNOVATION ACTIVITY

Article 40. Principles for Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Statistics

1. Truthfulness, objectivity, completeness, timeliness, uniformity, and verifiability.

2. Uniform application of the system of indicators, methodological approaches, catalogues, and statistical classifications as prescribed by the State.

3. Compliance with laws on statistics, laws on science, technology, and innovation, and related legal provisions.

4. Protection of information of organizations and individuals, trade secrets, intellectual property rights, and data classified as state secrets.

Article 41. Classification of Scientific and Technological Statistics

1. Activities of scientific, technological, and innovation statistics shall use the Field Classification Table for Science and Technology and other relevant statistical classification tables.

2. The Field Classification Table for Science and Technology serves as the basis for the following activities:

a) Organizing and classifying scientific and technological activities; identifying and dividing fields of science and technology to collect and analyze data;

b) Standardizing methods of collecting and presenting scientific and technological databases; comparing among sectors, fields, and internationally;

c) Management agencies for science, technology, and innovation monitoring, supervising, evaluating activities in fields of science, technology, and innovation, allocating resources, planning strategies, and policies.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology promulgates the Field Classification Table for Science and Technology.

Article 42. System of Indicators for Scientific and Technological Statistics

1. The system of indicators for scientific and technological statistics includes systematically developed indicators aimed at comprehensively reflecting the situation of scientific, technological, and innovation activities within the national scope, sector, field, or locality.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology collaborates with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to issue, guide, and implement the system of indicators for scientific and technological statistics.

Article 43. Collection and Provision of Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Statistics Information

1. Scientific, technological, and innovation statistics information is collected through statistical reporting systems, statistical surveys, administrative data, and other forms as prescribed by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

2. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees, and municipal people's committees are responsible for appointing statistical focal points for science, technology, and innovation; providing complete, truthful, and timely statistical data on scientific, technological, and innovation activities in accordance with the law and the requirements of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

3. Organizations engaged in science, technology, and innovation, and individuals conducting such activities using state budget funds or benefiting from state preferential policies must report statistical information on their scientific, technological, and innovation activities to the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation. Other organizations and individuals are encouraged to provide statistical information on their scientific, technological, and innovation activities to the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation.

4. The Ministry of Science and Technology collaborates with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to issue, guide, and implement the statistical reporting system for the scientific and technological sector, and statistical surveys on science, technology, and innovation.

Article 44. Publication and Use of Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Statistics Information

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

2. The agencies publishing scientific, technological, and innovation statistics information must ensure reliability, transparency, clarity, and accessibility.

3. The use of scientific, technological, and innovation statistics information must comply with legal provisions on statistics, accurately cite sources, and meet ethical and responsibility requirements for usage.

Chapter IV

ASSESSMENT OF SCIENTIFIC, TECHNOLOGICAL, AND INNOVATION ACTIVITIES

Article 45. Objectives and Principles of Assessing Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Activities

1. Evaluating strategies, policies, plans, programs, and organizations related to science, technology, and innovation aims to enhance investment efficiency and accountability in the use of state and societal resources for scientific research, technological development, and innovation. The objectives to be achieved include:

a) Monitoring and measuring the achievement levels of the goals set out in scientific, technological, and innovation strategies, plans, and programs;

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

c) Serving as a basis for policy planning and adjustment, determining priorities, and allocating budgets appropriately for ministries, sectors, localities, scientific and technological programs and organizations.

2. The evaluation of strategies, policies, plans, programs, and organizations related to science, technology, and innovation must adhere to the following principles:

a) Independence, objectivity, honesty, openness, and transparency in evaluation methods, data, and results;

b) Compliance with legal provisions on science, technology, and innovation and relevant laws;

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

d) Respecting the specific characteristics of research and innovation activities, combining quantitative and qualitative assessments, while ensuring harmony between management effectiveness and the autonomy of research organizations and individuals;

đ) Applying appropriate assessment criteria for each type of program, specialized field, scale of activity, and the specific characteristics of the organization or program being evaluated.

Article 46. Development of Evaluation Plans

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take the lead in developing and issuing an overall evaluation plan for scientific, technological, and innovation activities at the beginning of each year to guide, coordinate, and standardize evaluation activities nationwide. The overall evaluation plan for scientific, technological, and innovation activities includes the following main contents:

a) Determining the objectives, scope, and principles of evaluating scientific, technological, and innovation activities during each period;

b) The subjects of evaluation include strategies, policies, plans, programs, and organizations related to science, technology, and innovation that utilize state budget funds or have an impact on the national innovation system;

c) Proposing a system of indicators and evaluation methods suitable for each group of subjects and each stage;

d) Regulations on responsibilities, publication scope, usage and publication formats of evaluation results in management, policy adjustment, and investment;

đ) Guidelines for building, disseminating, and applying international-standard evaluation tools, databases, and technologies, suitable to Vietnam's characteristics;

e) Establishing mechanisms for training, selecting, using, and managing independent experts and professional advisory organizations;

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

2. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees, and municipal people's committees are responsible for organizing and implementing the overall evaluation plan for scientific, technological, and innovation activities within their jurisdiction.

Article 47. Object and Content of Evaluation of Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Activities

1. Object of Evaluation of Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Activities

a) Five-year strategies and annual plans for the development of science, technology, and innovation of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees, and municipal people's committees;

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

c) Scientific and technological organizations. The evaluation of the effectiveness of activities of public scientific and technological organizations shall be carried out in accordance with Article 51 of this Decree;

d) Preferential policies and incentives for organizations and enterprises to invest in scientific, technological, and innovation activities;

đ) Other scientific, technological, and innovation issues as required by state management;

2. Content of Evaluation of Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Activities

a) Evaluation of the results of scientific, technological, and innovation activities. The degree of achievement of set goals and indicators. The quantity, quality, and level of completion of scientific and technological products, including research products, technologies, solutions, models, services, and other products. Achievements compared to qualitative and quantitative plans. The extent of application and transfer of research results to practical production, daily life, or management.

b) Evaluation of the effectiveness of scientific, technological, and innovation activities. The efficiency of utilizing mobilized resources, including financial, human, technical infrastructure, and other input factors. The correspondence between output results and utilized input resources. Economic and social benefits from products or research results, focusing on contributions to economic growth, increased productivity, improved quality of life, technological capacity, and innovation of enterprises and organizations.

c) Evaluation of the impact of scientific, technological, and innovation activities. Impact on economic, social, environmental, defense, security, national scientific potential, and status. Impact on industries, enterprises, focusing on enhancing technological capacity, competitiveness, and sustainable development. Social impact, focusing on job creation, improving human resource quality, spreading scientific and technological knowledge, and improving the quality of life for citizens.

Article 48. Evaluation of Plans and Programs for Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Activities

1. The annual evaluation of development plans for science, technology, and innovation of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees, and municipal people's committees shall be conducted in accordance with Article 46 of this Decree.

2. The five-year development plan evaluation for science, technology, and innovation shall be conducted by the Ministry of Science and Technology in the final year of the planning period, focusing on the degree of achievement of set targets, contributions to economic and social development, environment, policy, national scientific and technological capacity, and innovation, serving as a basis for developing the next five-year plan.

a) Initial evaluation shall be conducted before implementing the science, technology, and innovation program to determine the feasibility regarding objectives, contents, scope, methods, and implementation resources;

b) Mid-term evaluation shall be conducted halfway through the implementation period of the science, technology, and innovation program to assess the degree of achievement compared to approved plans, emerging issues during implementation, and propose adjustments to indicators and targets if necessary to align with actual implementation. Mid-term evaluation may be conducted once or multiple times at the discretion of the authorized evaluator;

c) Final evaluation shall be conducted upon completion of the science, technology, and innovation program to assess the degree of achievement of objectives, contents, output products, quality of results, efficiency of resource utilization, and contributions to scientific, technological, and innovation development;

d) Impact assessment shall be conducted after a certain period following the conclusion of the science, technology, and innovation program to measure impacts on economic, social, environmental, policy, national scientific and technological capacity, and innovation development.

Article 49. Criteria for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Public Science and Technology Organizations

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

a) Basic research;

b) Applied research;

c) Technological development;

d) Policy and social research.

2. Criteria for evaluating effectiveness according to the function of public science and technology organizations.

a) Organizations performing the basic research function shall be evaluated based on the following criteria: Implementation process, including the novelty in the organization's research orientation; level of research collaboration; mechanisms ensuring scientific integrity and research ethics. Output results, including the number of international publications, average citations per international publication, number of domestic publications. Resource utilization efficiency, including the number of international publications per full-time researcher, average cost per international publication, proportion of funding allocated to strong research teams. Impact, including influence on academic direction, used in higher education and postgraduate training, role in science, technology, and innovation programs.

b) Organizations performing the applied research function shall be evaluated based on the following criteria: Implementation process, including the novelty in the organization's research orientation, level of research collaboration, mechanisms ensuring scientific integrity and research ethics. Output results, including scientific publications, patents, utility models, semiconductor integrated circuit layout designs, crop/animal/aquaculture varieties, trial model results, technical parameters. Resource utilization efficiency, including the number of patents, utility models, semiconductor integrated circuit layout designs, crop/animal/aquaculture varieties per research organization; average cost per patent, utility model, semiconductor integrated circuit layout design, crop/animal/aquaculture variety, trial model/application; external revenue ratio over total organizational revenue. Impact, including acceptance, use, or further development of research results; serving as a basis for issuing standards and technical norms; promoting linkage between research institutes, universities, businesses, and the state.

c) Organizations performing the technological development function shall be evaluated based on the following criteria: Implementation process, including design, integration, and verification of research and technological development outcomes; degree of localization and mastery of key technological components; production trial linkage with enterprises. Output results, including commercialized patents, utility models, semiconductor integrated circuit layout designs, crop/animal/aquaculture varieties; tested products meeting technical standards, certified by independent agencies; completed and commercialized technological processes. Resource utilization efficiency, including the commercialization rate of output results; revenue-to-research and development cost ratio of the organization; number of innovative startups formed in the last three years. Impact, including enhancing technological capacity for enterprises; impact on society and the environment; enhancing technological capacity in the research field.

d) Organizations performing the policy and social research function shall be evaluated based on the following criteria: Implementation process, including the clarity, appropriateness, flexibility, and adaptability of the research orientation to societal needs; level of research collaboration; mechanisms ensuring scientific integrity and research ethics. Output results, including scientific publications; scientific publications; research outcomes proposed and recommended in strategy and policy formulation. Resource utilization efficiency, including application of research outcomes in strategy and policy formulation, institutionalization, and resolution of socio-economic issues; advisory and policy critique capabilities; community research influence level. Impact, including economic, social, and environmental impacts; impact on changing societal attitudes and behaviors; policy dissemination to localities and sectors.

đ) Organizations performing multiple scientific research and technological development functions shall be evaluated according to each corresponding function based on detailed evaluation criteria set forth in Section II of Appendix III promulgated together with this Decree;

e) The set of criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of public science and technology organizations at Section I of Appendix III promulgated together with this Decree;

g) The Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue and update detailed guidance materials for evaluating the activities of public science and technology organizations.

3. Classification of Public Science and Technology Organizations Based on evaluation results, public science and technology organizations shall be classified as follows: Class A - Excellent; Class B - Good; Class C - Average; Class D - Poor.

Article 50. Procedures and Formalities for Evaluating Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Activities

1. The leading evaluation agency shall be responsible for clearly identifying the evaluation subject, objectives, closely aligning with state management requirements, strategic orientations, planning, and approved development plans for science, technology, and innovation.

2. Establishing and Approving the Evaluation Plan

a) The evaluation plan must clearly define the content, criteria, methods, time frame, human resources, budget, and data for the evaluation.

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

3. Notification of Evaluation

a) The leading evaluation agency shall notify in writing the evaluated entity and related parties about the content, time, method, and participants of the evaluation.

b) The notification period must ensure at least ten working days prior to the start of the evaluation to allow all parties to prepare adequately.

4. Collecting and Preparing Evaluation Data

a) Data collection for the evaluation shall be conducted from legitimate information sources, including reports on implementation, management documents, research results, statistical figures, administrative data, and other relevant sources.

b) Organizations and individuals related to the evaluation shall have the responsibility to provide complete, timely, and accurate information and data for the evaluation according to the requirements of the leading evaluation agency.

5. Conducting the Evaluation

a) Based on the approved plan, the leading evaluation agency shall organize the evaluation using appropriate methods to ensure objectivity, independence, and transparency.

b) In necessary cases, the evaluation may be carried out by an evaluation council or an independent evaluation consulting organization decided by the competent authority.

6. Drafting and Approving the Evaluation Result Report

a) Evaluation results shall be analyzed according to each criterion and objective set forth, ensuring a comprehensive reflection of the completion level, effectiveness, and impact of the evaluated subject.

b) The evaluation report must clearly present the objectives, content, methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations (if any), and must be reviewed, confirmed, and approved in accordance with regulations.

7. Announcing Evaluation Results and Implementing Recommendations

a) Evaluation results shall be publicly announced on the electronic portal of the leading evaluation agency and other suitable means.

b) Agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the evaluation shall have the responsibility to study, adopt, and implement recommendations in the evaluation report to enhance the effectiveness of scientific, technological, and innovation activities.

c) Agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the evaluation shall have the responsibility to monitor, supervise, and report on the implementation of evaluation recommendations according to the requirements of the competent authority.

Article 51. Frequency of Evaluation Implementation, Inspection of Evaluation Results, and Re-evaluation

1. Frequency of Evaluation Implementation

a) Mid-term or ad hoc evaluations of science, technology, and innovation strategies and plans shall be conducted when there are significant changes in policy, socio-economic conditions, or technology, as required by management.

b) Public scientific, technological, and innovation organizations shall be evaluated annually or ad hoc as required by the state management agency.

c) Periodic evaluations of state incentives and support policies for scientific, technological, and innovation activities shall be conducted as required for management control or policy adjustment.

2. Inspection of Evaluation Results

a) Compliance with the approved evaluation procedures, methods, and criteria.

b) The objectivity, independence, completeness, and accuracy of data, analysis, and conclusions in the evaluation report.

c) The consistency between evaluation results and the objectives of science, technology, and innovation programs, plans, and tasks.

d) Proposing measures to address any identified violations or recommending a re-evaluation.

3. Re-evaluation

a) When there are valid complaints or reflections regarding errors or lack of objectivity during the evaluation process or in the evaluation conclusion.

b) When evaluation results show discrepancies or inaccuracies due to incorrect methods, criteria, or inaccurate data sources.

c) When there are significant changes in strategy, policy, or objectives of science, technology, and innovation programs and plans, necessitating a reassessment of the suitability and effectiveness of previous results.

d) At the request of the competent state authority.

Article 52. Responsibility for organizing the assessment of scientific and technological activities and innovation

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology

a) Uniformly manage the assessment of scientific and technological activities and innovation nationwide;

b) Issue and update criteria for assessing strategies, policies, programs, plans, scientific and technological organizations and innovation;

c) Guide, inspect, and supervise the assessment of scientific and technological activities and innovation by ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees;

d) Organize the assessment of scientific and technological strategies and policies and innovation; assess plans within its authority; assess national scientific and technological programs and innovation that have significant impacts on socio-economic development; when necessary, it may hire independent consulting organizations as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article or establish advisory boards as stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article to conduct the assessment;

đ) Organize the assessment of the effectiveness of state budget investment in scientific and technological activities and innovation of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees when necessary.

2. Criteria for assessing scientific and technological activities and innovation

a) The Ministry of Science and Technology issues and updates criteria for assessing strategies, policies, plans, programs, scientific and technological organizations and innovation;

b) For scientific and technological programs and innovation containing state secrets, ministries and agencies managing such programs shall cooperate with the Ministry of Science and Technology to develop specific assessment criteria.

3. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees

a) Utilize specialized agencies under their jurisdiction or hire independent consulting organizations as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article or establish advisory boards as stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article to organize the assessment of strategies, policies, plans, programs, scientific and technological organizations and innovation within their management scope according to the criteria and guidance of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Encouragement is given to hiring independent consulting organizations to conduct assessments of large-scale, complex programs;

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

c) Publicize the results of the assessment through mass media and the electronic information portal of the organization to ensure access to information for related organizations and individuals;

4. Independent advisory organizations

5. Advisory boards

a) Advisory boards are established and operate in accordance with the law, having legal personality and experience, capacity, and expertise in the field of assessment, including reputable domestic and foreign scientists and managers with high professional qualifications and relevant experience;

b) Advisory boards are responsible for conducting assessments in accordance with approved methods, criteria, and content; providing independent critical opinions and recommending solutions to improve the quality of strategy implementation, policy, plan, program, and organizational activities in scientific and technological fields and innovation;

6. Coordination and assignment of responsibilities

a) The leading agency for assessment has the responsibility to closely coordinate with specialized agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology in implementing assessment activities, including sharing data, appointing staff to participate in advisory boards, organizing assessments, or providing technical support when requested;

b) The Ministry of Science and Technology requests ministries, sectors, localities to provide information, send representatives to participate in evaluation councils, working groups, or collaborative activities to ensure consistency in the national management and evaluation system.

Article 53. Utilization of Evaluation Results on the Effectiveness of Activities of Public Science and Technology Organizations

1. The evaluation results on the effectiveness and classification of public science and technology organizations shall serve as the basis for building, adjusting plans, schemes for allocating and arranging state budget, number of employees, organizational restructuring, and applying preferential policies for public science and technology organizations.

2. Organizations evaluated and classified as type A - excellent and type B - well-completed shall be allocated higher funding levels in medium-term and annual budget plans to expand their scale of activities, implement new tasks, and enhance research capacity.

3. Organizations evaluated and classified as type C - average or type D - poor shall be allocated funding corresponding to the level of task completion; they must develop plans to improve operational effectiveness to meet conditions for proposing additional funding in subsequent cycles.

4. Adjustments in funding allocation shall be carried out annually or according to the evaluation cycle, ensuring that resource allocation is linked to output results and the actual impact of scientific, technological, and innovation activities.

Chapter V

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN SCIENTIFIC, TECHNOLOGICAL, AND INNOVATION ACTIVITIES

Article 54. Contents of Digital Transformation in Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Activities

1. Building and operating comprehensive digital platforms to manage scientific, technological, and innovation activities; connecting subjects within the scientific, technological, and innovation ecosystem.

2. Digitizing the outcomes of scientific, technological, and innovation activities, including data generated during the research process to form scientific, technological, and innovation databases.

3. Applying digital technologies to serve the collection, processing, synthesis, analysis, forecasting, storage, retrieval, exploitation, and dissemination of scientific, technological, and innovation information.

4. Applying digital technologies to evaluate the results and effectiveness of scientific, technological, and innovation activities.

a) Establishing digital dossier systems on the results and effectiveness of scientific, technological, and innovation activities of organizations, businesses, and individuals.

b) Developing support platforms for automatic evaluation integrated with the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation.

c) Integrating digital identification systems for organizations and individuals engaged in scientific, technological, and innovation activities and for scientific, technological, and innovation tasks.

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

Article 55. Ensuring Digital Infrastructure for Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Activities

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to build mechanisms and policies for developing digital infrastructure serving scientific, technological, and innovation activities; coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security to ensure information security and data confidentiality related to science, technology, and innovation.

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

Article 56. Application of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Activities

1. The State encourages and creates conditions for the application of artificial intelligence and big data to enhance the efficiency and productivity of scientific research and technological development; supports the automation of information search, synthesis, and analysis processes in science and technology; suggests research issues and innovation ideas; optimizes organizational, management, reporting, and performance evaluation work and other supporting activities.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take the lead in building open databases on science and technology to support scientific research, technological development, and innovation; apply artificial intelligence and big data to analyze and assess technology trends, strategic forecasts, policy planning for science, technology, and innovation development, investment effectiveness assessment, and decision-making support in the field of science, technology, and innovation; issue technical guidelines on ethical use of AI in scientific, technological, and innovation activities.

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

Article 57. Construction and Development of the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation

1. The National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation includes information as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 32 of this Decree.

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

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall be responsible for constructing, operating, maintaining, and developing the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation; promulgating regulations on data collection, updating, management, exploitation, use, connection, and sharing within the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation.

4. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial People's Committees, and municipal People's Committees shall be responsible for providing, updating fully, promptly, and accurately data on science, technology, and innovation activities under their jurisdiction to the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Article 58. Construction and Development of the National Digital Platform for Managing Science, Technology, and Innovation

1. The National Digital Platform for Managing Science, Technology, and Innovation is a tool for monitoring, managing comprehensively, centrally, and uniformly; evaluating results and effectiveness of science, technology, and innovation activities from central to local levels; applying artificial intelligence to support synthesis, analysis, evaluation, and management of science, technology, and innovation.

2. The National Digital Platform for Managing Science, Technology, and Innovation shall be used to manage scientific and technological tasks and innovation, results and products of science and technology, intellectual property and technology transfer, financial investment for science, technology, and innovation.

3. Science and technology management agencies at all levels and funds in the field of science, technology, and innovation must use the National Digital Platform for Managing Science, Technology, and Innovation to implement science, technology, and innovation management.

4. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall be responsible for constructing, operating, maintaining, and developing the National Digital Platform for Managing Science, Technology, and Innovation; issuing guidelines for using the National Digital Platform for Managing Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Article 59. Handling Violations in Providing and Updating Information to the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation

1. Organizations, enterprises, and individuals using state budget funds to carry out science, technology, and innovation activities that fail to provide and update relevant information as prescribed in point a of Clause 1 of Article 33 to the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation shall be considered for suspension of further state budget funding for implementing scientific and technological tasks and innovation or deemed ineligible to participate in selection for implementation of scientific and technological tasks and innovation using state budget funds.

2. State management agencies at all levels in the field of science and technology that fail to fulfill their responsibility to update relevant information to the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Ministry of Science and Technology shall consider reducing the budget for science, technology, and innovation activities of the agency in the following year's plan.

Article 60. Funding for Information, Statistics, Evaluation, and Digital Transformation Activities in Scientific and Technological Activities and Innovation

1. Sources of funding for information, statistics, evaluation, digital transformation activities in scientific and technological activities and innovation, and other activities stipulated in this Decree include:

a) State budget (central budget, local budget) allocated and arranged in the annual budget estimates of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees in accordance with the State Budget Law;

b) Revenue from information, statistics, and evaluation services and other services (if any);

c) Legal sponsorship from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals.

2. Contents of state budget expenditure for information, statistics, evaluation, digital transformation, and other activities stipulated in this Decree include:

a) Expenditure on building, developing, upgrading, and expanding the National Information System on Science, Technology, and Innovation and the National Digital Management Platform for Science, Technology, and Innovation;

b) Strengthening the capacity of organizations performing information, statistics, and evaluation functions in the public sector;

c) Regular tasks according to their functions and digital transformation of organizations performing information, statistics, and evaluation functions in the public sector;

d) Establishing, developing, updating, and purchasing scientific and technological information and innovation sources; purchasing software applications for information, statistics, and evaluation activities;

đ) Maintaining and developing science and technology information networks, electronic portals on science and technology, databases, and digital libraries on science and technology;

e) Disseminating scientific and technological information and knowledge to serve economic and social development;

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

h) Hiring independent experts and independent consulting organizations for evaluation;

i) Statistical surveys and research;

k) Other related contents about information, statistics, evaluation, and digital transformation activities in scientific and technological activities and innovation.

3. The State encourages organizations and individuals to cooperate and sponsor information, statistics, evaluation, and digital transformation activities in scientific and technological activities and innovation and other activities stipulated in this Decree.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 61. Transitional Provisions

1. Certificates of registration for scientific and technological activities, certificates of representative office operations, branch operations issued by competent authorities before the effective date of this Decree continue to have legal validity until changes or supplements occur. In cases where there are changes or supplements to relevant information, organizations are responsible for registering such changes or supplements in accordance with this Decree.

2. For applications for registration of scientific and technological activities submitted to competent authorities for issuance of certificates of registration for scientific and technological activities, certificates of representative office operations, branch operations before the effective date of this Decree but not yet issued, they shall continue to be processed in accordance with Decree No. 08/2014/NĐ-CP dated January 27, 2014 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science and Technology No. 29/2013/QH13, but not exceeding 30 days from the effective date of this Decree.

3. For scientific and technological organizations, representative offices, branches established and registered to operate before the effective date of this Decree, within 12 months from the effective date of this Decree, they are responsible for reviewing establishment conditions in accordance with this Decree, if not met, they must complete them in accordance with the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

Article 62. Effect of enforcement

1. This Decree takes effect from the date of issuance.

2. Provisions in Articles belonging to Chapter II of Decree No. 08/2014/NĐ-CP dated January 27, 2014 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science and Technology No. 29/2013/QH13, and Decree No. 11/2014/NĐ-CP dated February 18, 2014 of the Government on scientific and technological information activities shall cease to be effective from the date this Decree takes effect, except for the provision at Clause 2 of Article 61 of this Decree.

Article 63. Guidance and responsibility for implementation

1. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall apply the provisions on information, statistics, scientific assessment, science and technology, and innovation set forth in this Decree, and develop and promulgate regulations within their respective areas of management.

2. The ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and municipal People's Committees, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Decree./.