The survey and mapping sector has reported encouraging results in the application of science and technology progress for the sector's development. The program on technological innovation got started from 1990s. In 2000, Vietnam's survey and mapping technology was rated to reach a high level compared to other ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asia Nations) and Asian countries.  Vietnam has acquired some following technologies: The satellite positioning technology for establishing grid boards and measuring co-ordinates of concrete locations, the technologies catered for large-scale mapping, the aero-photography technology using modern optical cameras, the technologies to develop films and create high-resolution digital photos, the digital technology to measure aerospace and satellite photos to establish topographic, background, cadastral and other specialized maps, digital technologies for establishing, editing, summarizing, calibrating and processing diverse maps, etc.

From 2005, the Prime Minister decided to use overseas development assistance (ODA) capital of French Government to install the technology needed to receive and process satellite photos to control natural resources and environment at Sensing Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The technology is also to serve survey and mapping objectives.

These modern technologies are installed at units at central and local level under the department. It is important to note these units also take charge of maintaining and upgrading the technologies using their own finance, not taking capital from State coffers.

This year, the department will focus on some following tasks. It will soon complete Vietnam survey and mapping sector's development strategy until 2020 for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to submit to the Prime Minister in second quarter. Other vital tasks are to develop the Law on Survey and Mapping following Decree 12/2002/ND-CP dated January 22, 2002 of the Government, develop and soon present standard geographical information database, work on two projects 'Establishing geographical information database scale 1/10,000 covering the whole country' and 'Establishing geographical information database scale 1/2,000 and 1/5,000 of urban, industrial and major economic areas' for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to submit to the Prime Minister for approval and implementation. The department has also to carry out a project 'Establishing maps of sea, estuary areas and seaports for natural defense of Vietnam's naval forces, and relevant ministries, departments and localities' and a project 'Establishing sea-bed maps in onshore areas and other territorial waters' for boundary demarcation in Vietnam's continental shelf. Further efforts must be taken to build GPS Positioning Station in Quang Nam. The ultimate target is to complete the demarcation task by 2008.