ABSTRACT
Along with its macro-economic reforms that emphasize the rehabilitation and modernization of the industrial sector, Vietnam is reappraising and changing its policies for science, technology, and innovation. Vietnamese R&D professionals seemed to prefer more secluded activities in the 'ivory tower' with little or no bearing on industrial innovation. All institutions in Vietnam performing R&D are urged to enter into close relations with business enterprises or even start up manufacturing and service activities by themselves. The real driving force behind these changes was not the macro-economic reforms, but the fiscal crisis of the state which significantly reduced public spending on R&D. A 'scientific revolution' was to be one of three revolutions transforming the country into a truly communist society. The Vietnamese way of organizing science and technology was very much inspired by the then USSR R&D policy. The promotion of economically significant linkages between R&D and industry has been a major concern for the Hanoi government.
