On May 18, 1963, the Vietnam Association for the Dissemination of Science and Technology (the predecessor of today’s Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations) held its first National Congress. On behalf of the Party Central Committee and the Government, President Ho Chi Minh attended the event and delivered a congratulatory speech. 50 years later, the National Assembly chose May 18 as Vietnam’s Science and Technology Day, making it become an occasion to honor those working in science, and to showcase latest research achievements.