Decision No. 362/TTg Approving the orientation, objectives, and tasks of scientific and technological activities for the 1996-2000 period

 Pursuant to …;

APPROVING THE DIRECTION, OBJECTIVES AND TASKS OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE 1996-2000 FIVE-YEAR PERIOD

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;
Considering the proposal of the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment at the Report No. 744/KHTC dated April 12, 1996,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the direction, objectives and tasks of scientific and technological activities for the 1996-2000 five-year period attached to this Decision.

Article 2. Ministries, General Departments, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall allocate the above scientific and technological tasks into their five-year and annual plans, assign and coordinate forces to participate in implementation.

Article 3. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment shall be responsible for guiding ministries, general departments, provinces and centrally governed cities in implementing the above tasks in accordance with the spirit of Decision No. 419/TTg dated July 21, 1995 of the Prime Minister, regularly directing, inspecting, supervising and reporting to the Prime Minister on the implementation of scientific and technological tasks carried out by ministries, general departments, and provinces and centrally governed cities.

Article 4. This Decision takes effect from the date of signing.

Article 5. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees, Directors of national science centers, Directors of national universities, and related agencies shall be responsible for enforcing this Decision.

DIRECTION, OBJECTIVES AND TASKS OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE 1996-2000 FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.
(Attached to Decision No. 362/TTg dated May 30, 1996 of the Prime Minister)

I. DIRECTION OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE YEAR 2000.

- Strengthen research in Social Sciences and Humanities to serve the industrialization and modernization cause, building new people and a new culture with the characteristics of the Vietnamese nation;

- Reform technology in major production sectors;

- Develop high technologies (information technology, biotechnology, material technology, automation);

- Apply advanced science and technology comprehensively to promote rural and mountainous area development;

- Utilize natural resources reasonably, protect the environment, and conduct marine surveys and research;

- Build and develop scientific and technological potential;

- Improve product quality;

- Strengthen scientific research and technological development in defense and security fields.

II. MAIN OBJECTIVES OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE YEAR 2000.

1. Develop indigenous scientific and technological capacity, considering it a crucial factor to boost production aimed at:

- Providing solid scientific grounds for national development orientations, policies, and guidelines of the Party and State.

- Grasping new achievements in world science and technology, selecting and mastering transferred technologies in Vietnam.

- Building strong scientific and technological potential in key areas such as electronics-information technology, biological-materials technology, mechanical manufacturing and automation, agriculture, medicine...

2. Vigorously reform technology in production sectors, particularly focusing on technology quality, creating a technological leap. Emphasize developing high-tech industries such as electronics, information technology, telecommunications, new materials, biotechnology, etc., so that science and technology can make significant contributions to economic growth acceleration, enhancing national defense and security, and protecting the country.

III. TASKS OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE 1996-2000 PERIOD.

A. SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES.

Clearly define the path towards socialism in Vietnam today. Explain contemporary issues, propose scientific bases and arguments for forming Party and State policies and guidelines.

Key research areas include:

1. Elaborate clearly on fundamental theoretical issues of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought.

2. Study theoretical issues on development in the new era:

+ Clarify the nature of a multi-sector commodity economy and its mechanisms in the development process;

+ Formulate options for the industrialization and modernization process;

+ Determine the system of social policies during the industrialization and modernization phase.

3. Establish strategic goals for comprehensive human development, solutions in each field serving these goals. Consider building Vietnamese human resources as a central task determining the success of industrialization and modernization, promoting education and training.

4. Identify organizational management solutions according to comprehensive development requirements and ensuring a fair and civilized society; build a modern and distinctive national culture in the development process.

5. Research and forecast global trends and Vietnam's foreign relations with countries in the region and worldwide.

6. Research, forecast, and propose security and defense strategies.

B. NATURAL SCIENCES:

Conduct research on some cutting-edge theoretical issues and selectively apply modern scientific achievements to approach world standards in certain fields:

1. In mathematics, control theory, and computational science: focus on researching basic mathematical fields (optimization theory, mathematical probability and statistics, mathematical analysis, selected problems in algebra, number theory, and topology); study applications of world computer science achievements (artificial intelligence, basic software technology issues...) as a basis for developing information technology, systems sciences, and control theory.

2. In physics: focus on solid-state physics, optics and spectroscopy, laser physics, nuclear physics, theoretical physics.

3. In mechanics: concentrate on mechanics of new materials, mechanics of marine and island structures, modern experimental methods in mechanics; dynamics of systems, hydrodynamics and aerodynamics, numerical methods in mechanics.

4. In chemistry: focus on synthetic and reaction mechanisms of organic compounds, absorption and catalysis, analytical chemistry serving the oil industry.

5. In biology: concentrate on modern classification methods, fluctuations of tropical biological groups, physiological and ecological characteristics, typical tropical ecosystems. Cell techniques, genetic technology, molecular biotechnology. Marine biology and coastal zone biology, intertidal zones.

6. In earth sciences:

+ Geology: focus on researching geological events such as the Red River fault structure; characteristic fossils of significant Paleozoic strata in the north and central regions; geological structures and dynamic features of Vietnam and adjacent areas.

+ Geophysics: physical fields within the territory of Vietnam for environmental assessment and natural disaster prediction.

+ Geography: survey and comprehensively evaluate geographical conditions of the Vietnamese territory to organize territorial planning; study climate change and their impacts on economic activities and the environment in Vietnam; assess and forecast natural disaster and environmental processes in key mountainous regions of northern Vietnam.

+ Marine and continental shelf research (Oceanography). Establish databases on the sea and continental shelf to serve planning and exploitation of marine projects and facilities.

+ Research on space utilization.

C. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

Focus on researching and selecting effective imported technologies that directly lead to modernization in necessary types and stages of technology; need to master imported technologies, apply and improve them to suit Vietnamese conditions. Study, select, and transfer appropriate technologies for rural and mountainous areas, moving towards the creation of unique Vietnamese technologies.

1. Serve agricultural and rural development.

Effectively protect and utilize all arable land currently available, develop and use large potential areas not yet exploited such as hills, pastures, water surfaces, shallow waters, to increase production volume, labor productivity, rationally utilize and fully exploit human resources, land, and resources, develop various industries in rural areas, promote the restructuring of the rural economy towards industrialization. The focus of scientific and technological research is:

a. Master hybrid rice and corn breeding technology, create new rice varieties with yields over 10 tons/hectare per crop, develop varieties resistant to pests and diseases and suitable for difficult ecological conditions, contributing to increasing grain production to 30-32 million tons/year by 2000.

b. Develop processing, preservation, post-harvest loss reduction technologies, and increase the proportion of processed agricultural products.

c. Gradually implement mechanization in cultivation stages, focusing on mechanization in planting, harvesting, and processing, as well as livestock mechanization.

d. Test high-yielding forest tree species over 20 m3/ha/year for paper and wood raw materials. Study policies for forest protection organization.

đ. Investigate and study marine resources and the environment as a scientific basis for developing fisheries. Innovate technology in the field of seafood preservation and processing. Study the application of biotechnology in the breeding and selection of economically valuable aquatic species, producing feed and disease prevention in aquaculture.

e. Build models for transferring technology and technical progress suitable for rural and mountainous conditions. Study population distribution in rural areas, forming clusters of residential areas and market towns, building ecological village models, solving clean water and environmental sanitation issues in rural areas, building civilized new rural areas.

2. Industry.

a. Machine manufacturing: Master basic technologies at advanced levels such as casting technology, plastic deformation processing technology, welding technology, machining technology with blanks, heat treatment technology, surface treatment technology, precision machining technology (laser technology). Study and apply new technologies in the metallurgical and chemical industries.

Accelerate the application of CAD/CAM technology in designing and manufacturing heavy mechanical equipment for rotary kiln cement production, vertical kiln cement production; manufacturing pumps up to 36,000 m3/hour for hydropower projects; manufacturing equipment for processing agricultural, forestry, and marine products; innovate technology, use the latest technologies in consumer goods and export production, improving product quality.

b. The focus of science and technology in electromechanics is to conduct research and implement basic technologies in the design, manufacture, and testing of components of some special machines, new generation electronic elements based on imported components.

Improve casting technology to reduce defective casting rates below 15%, reduce energy consumption to 60% to 70% of current levels; widely apply advanced cutting, welding, spraying, coating, and mold-making technologies.

Implement technological innovation in key industries by using modern science and technology, especially microelectronics and automation tools. Improve the organization of domestic production of a large number of spare parts and common equipment.

c. Oil and petrochemicals: Focus on researching and applying basic technologies serving the petrochemical industry, structural engineering, safety, and environmental pollution.

3. High technology.

a. Electronics - Informatics - Telecommunications.

Create a technological foundation and scientific basis for establishing a national computer network, participating in international information superhighways, and widespread use in the national economy. Build an industrial base for information technology, particularly software technology. Aim to have our own telecommunications satellites.

- Study information technology in natural language processing, artificial intelligence multimedia issues, geographic information systems (GIS), etc.

- Master networking technologies (data transmission, multipoint connection, trial deployment of Internet networks in various regions to use multiple information systems).

b. Biotechnology.

- Master cell technology, genetic techniques, microbial technology in enzyme, vaccine, antibiotic production to create and rapidly multiply many valuable plant and animal breeds with high yield and quality.

- Research production technologies for various types of bio-fertilizers and biological products for livestock care and crop protection.

- Develop biotechnologies for preservation and processing of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products to maintain and enhance their value for domestic consumption and export.

- Research production technologies for rapid and accurate diagnostic kits, new vaccines, and antiserums against dangerous tropical diseases.

- Study technologies or combined technologies for treating urban waste (rubbish and wastewater) and industrial waste from agricultural, forestry, and aquatic product processing.

c. Material technology.

Master and widely apply composite materials, domestically produce 90% of the demand for firebricks and thermal insulation materials. Replace approximately 10-20% of traditional materials with new materials, significantly improving material efficiency.

- Innovate production technologies for traditional materials while developing some modern material technologies that can be quickly applied in practice.

- Develop technologies for manufacturing high molecular weight materials, composite materials; rubber and plastic materials used in industry and daily life.

- Develop technologies for manufacturing special feature metal materials according to modern methods; develop technologies for manufacturing super-hard materials and cutting tools.

- Research production technologies for ceramic materials used for water filtration, food filtration, technical ceramics, and high-temperature firebricks.

- Manufacture electronic materials such as hard magnetic, soft magnetic materials, using optoelectronic and photonic materials, initially manufacture some sensors (sensors) for electricity, magnetism, and biology.

- Strengthen research on coating methods and manufacturing technologies for materials, anti-corrosion protection methods in marine environments.

d. Automation:

To accelerate automation in key stages of production and service activities:

- Develop computer-aided design (CAD). Establish several CAD centers strong enough to participate in international bidding projects.

- Widespread application of digital control technologies (CNC), direct digital control (DDC), programmable logic control (PLC) in absorbing, mastering, and transforming some equipment and production lines in industries with good development prospects.

- Research and develop some SCADA systems for use in oil and gas, environmental, hydropower sectors...

- Build some machining centers and CAM/CIM/PLC/CNC centers strong enough to support training and implementation in industry.

- Research and trial robotic applications in hazardous production processes with high environmental pollution levels.

4. Energy.

a. Balance all forms of fuel and energy for needs up to 2020.

b. Study scientific and technological bases and prepare preconditions for building nuclear power plants after 2000.

c. Develop energy supply plans for rural and mountainous areas.

d. Master the latest technologies in hydropower and thermal power construction. Create the ability to design, construct, and install transmission lines over 220 KV.

e. Study technological solutions and equipment to serve energy-saving policies; improve energy usage efficiency and reduce electrical losses.

f. Synchronize technological innovation to meet the increased coal mine output requirements during the 1996-2000 period.

5. Transportation:

Focus on developing transportation science and technology to serve the strategy and planning of transportation development until 2020; study management mechanisms for transportation to contribute to accelerating infrastructure construction and modernizing technology in aviation, maritime, railway, expressway sectors; study container transport, large-scale liquid and bulk cargo transport organization.

Study and select development options for urban transportation (especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), transportation in the Mekong Delta region. Construct main transportation routes, airports, ports according to international standards and advanced technology.

6. Construction:

Innovate production technologies for major construction materials to reach the world's average advanced level by 2000; increase mechanization levels in construction work, strongly apply information technology and automation to increase labor productivity and design productivity.

Study urbanization processes and city management, measures to reasonably distribute labor forces in industrial, agricultural, service areas... Develop overall population distribution schemes on the territory until 2020 based on economic structure changes to implement the policy of industrialization and modernization of the country. Study concentrated industrial zone planning.

7. Protecting and Improving Public Health.

Study basic bio-environmental issues and health. Study the impact of chemicals used in production, chemical toxins (particularly Dioxin) on the environment and health.

Study the application and biotechnology in drug (pharmaceutical) production, immunological techniques in HIV treatment research; study some common disease models in industrialized countries and emerging in our country; study raw materials for producing malaria, goiter, infection treatment drugs, etc... Study the production of modern medical equipment.

D. RATIONAL USE OF RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

Study and propose scientific and technological solutions to effectively exploit natural resource potential and natural conditions, protect ecological environment including:

1. Establishing an environmental monitoring system (including automatic observation networks, environmental information networks, remote sensing centers); applying new technologies in resource surveys, meteorological and hydrological forecasting, disaster prediction, and environmental pollution control; applying new technologies to reduce coal dust, chemical, and industrial waste pollution, particularly in protecting surface and underground water sources. Data processing methods and tools...

2. Studying technical solutions for treating environmental pollution at industrial production facilities in cities and concentrated industrial zones.

3. Continuing to research and comprehensively survey territories to serve the development of regional strategies; establishing a scientific basis for territorial zoning, rational spatial organization, population relocation issues... during the process of industrialization from an ecological protection perspective.

4. Studying biodiversity in regions with unique ecosystems.

E. NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE

Applying advanced technologies in the production, repair, and maintenance of weapons, military uniforms, and equipment; combining internal and external defense forces in investigations and research to fulfill tasks related to territorial sovereignty protection.