Scientists from the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) had played an important role in promoting basic theoretical issues regarding the country's development, said Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
Trong made the statement at a meeting held yesterday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the VASS.
Research results by scientists in various fields, such as economy, politics, culture, society, security and national defence, has contributed to the Party and State's policy making process, he said.
The academy's study had contributed to clarifying the developmental history of the country and people, as well as helping confirm the country's sovereignty, Trong added.
Together with scientific research, the academy also contributed to creating a strong staff of scientists for the nation's development, he said.
However, Trong said the current socio-economic situation requires the academy's scientists to study more to provide the Party and State with basic science, grounded in policy and national development planning and to serve as a foundation of social science research for the entire country.
Over the past sixty years, VASS staff of different generations had spared no efforts to contribute to the country's scientific development.
Reviewing the academy's development over the last six decades, VASS President Nguyen Xuan Thang said its predecessor - the research board of history, geography and literature - was founded during the fierce time of the resistance against the French in preparation for the country's post-war construction and development.
The academy now has a network of 35 institutes and research centres, plus magazines, publishing houses and museums, and a staff of nearly 2,000 people, he said.
It has made public tens of thousands of scientific reports and projects via domestic and foreign magazines, with 20 winning the Ho Chi Minh award and 24 receiving the State award, and published more than 7,000 book titles.
Such reports and projects have guided the country's socio-economic activities, helped extend people's knowledge and enrich their spiritual lives, Thang added.
He noted that the academy has established cooperative ties with more than 50 countries and organisations worldwide in the fields of research, personnel training and information sharing.
Thanks to its great contributions, the academy has been honoured with many awards from the Party and State, such as the Independence Order, first class, the Ho Chi Minh Order and the Gold Star Order.
In the belief that social science has become an indispensable tool of development strategies, plans and policies, the academy has accelerated research to provide scientific basics and work as an advisor for the Party and State, he said.
