Debate over slow disbursement of science and technology budget in Vietnam
The fact that only 42.12% of the 95,000 billion VND budget allocated for science and technology in Vietnam for 2026 had been spent as of October 30 has been brought to the parliamentary agenda.
The slow utilization of the 95,000 billion VND state budget allocated for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation projects in Vietnam has drawn criticism during parliamentary sessions.
During the questioning of Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan in parliament, Nghe An representative Hoang Minh Hieu stated that the overall disbursement rate remained at 42.12% as of October 30. According to the data, expenditures in the field of innovation stood at 27.98%, while digital transformation projects were at 29.90%.
Compared to the resource pool exceeding 104,000 billion VND, actual expenditures remained at approximately one-fifth. In the current situation, while more than 18,000 billion VND of the budget has not yet been allocated, the return or cancellation of an amount exceeding 8,000 billion VND has come to the agenda.
Minister Vu Hai Quan stated that the disruptions in budget distribution stem from complex procedures between ministries, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Finance. The ministry has launched a three-stage solution plan to digitize budget estimates and ensure direct coordination with local governments.
Sources
- vietnam.vn · Link