Continue to promote marine research cooperation between Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and French research institutions

Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST, emphasized that Institute of Oceanography is a leading unit in marine scientific research in Vietnam, with more than 100 years of development and important contributions to marine environmental protection, ecosystem research, as well as sustainable aquaculture development. In particular, Institute of Oceanography is a research unit developed from a research facility established by the French Governor General in Indochina in 1922, France has been a strategic partner in many major scientific projects of the Institute, from studying the impact of aquaculture on the environment in the Mekong Delta to current projects such as NEMESIS on marine microbial ecosystems with antibiotic resistance properties. With the facilities inherited from French partners along with a team of highly qualified and qualified staff, including many young scientists trained from France as well as Vietnamese-French University under VAST along with support from French Government as well as French Embassy and French research organizations in Vietnam,  VAST in general and Institute of Oceanography in particular have been effectively implementing opportunities to strengthen cooperation with French marine and ocean research units.

Present at the meeting, Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Tan Tuan, also affirmed that the contribution of Institute of Oceanography is not only important to the province but also a scientific foundation for sustainable marine economic development strategies, environmental protection and climate change response. The sea has been bringing Khanh Hoa a beautiful natural landscape, many great values for the local socio-economic development and with the orientation of developing a growth model associated with strengthening the application of science, technology and innovation, Khanh Hoa hopes that Institute of Oceanography will continue to receive the support of VAST as well as French partners in training high-quality human resources, scientific and applied research to effectively support the sustainable development of the locality in exploitation, maximizing the potentials and advantages of the marine economy; effectively and sustainably use natural resources, respond to climate change. 

Ambassador Olivier Brochet stated that the establishment and development of Institute of Oceanography in Nha Trang City since 1922 is a clear demonstration of the cooperation between France and Khanh Hoa province; contributing to strengthening the long-standing diplomatic relations between France and Vietnam, which have recently been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The cooperation in training and marine scientific research between French organizations and Institute of Oceanography in particular and VAST in general has contributed to the realization of the desire of the Senior Leaders of the two countries to strengthen cooperation in the three fields of sustainable development, innovation and sovereignty. Ambassador Olivier Brochet also affirmed that French Embassy and French units wish to strengthen cooperative relationships with VAST and scientific organizations in Vietnam; towards supporting and coordinating the training of high-quality human resources; continue to implement and develop the Franco-Vietnamese scientific project in the coming time. 

At the meeting, the delegates watched a documentary film about the history of the formation and development of Institute of Oceanography since its establishment (1922) with the Institute's contributions to understanding the laws of the Vietnamese sea in particular and the South China Sea in general, through which,  improve the position and role of the Institute and contribute to the development of VAST, of Khanh Hoa province; contributing to promoting education about Vietnam's seas and oceans; expand cooperation and strengthen international integration. The delegates listened to a report by French Institute for Development Studies (IRD) on the results of the cooperation between the IRD and VAST in marine research, including research programs on environmental impacts, biodiversity protection and climate change. In addition, the presentation of the representative of the Vietnam-France University (University of Science and Technology of Hanoi - USTH) summarized the birth and strong development of the high-quality education cooperation model between Vietnam and France; the role of education and research in the field of oceanography, emphasizing the importance of training high-quality human resources and promoting international cooperation in marine research. Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh and Ambassador Olivier Brochet also exchanged and discussed cooperation directions in the coming time such as strengthening research on marine environmental pollution, marine ecosystem conservation, application of technology in ocean observation and training of oceanographers. 

At the end of the meeting, the delegation visited the Oceanographic Museum, a reliable site for visiting, discovering and scientific research in Vietnam and Southeast Asia with a collection of tens of thousands of specimens, specimens of more than 6,000 species of marine organisms and thousands of living marine organisms of 400 species that are being nurtured and exhibited as well as a place to preserve the imprint of long-standing cooperation between Vietnam and France in marine scientific research.

In the warm atmosphere of the early spring days in the coastal city of Nha Trang, the visit and working at Institute of Oceanography of French Ambassador to Vietnam not only further tightened the cooperation between the two countries but also opened up many new opportunities for marine scientific research, contributing to the sustainable development and protection of Vietnam's ocean resources.

Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST and Mr. Olivier Brochet, Ambassador of France to Vietnam chaired the meeting

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Director of Institute of Oceanography, VAST introduced the history of the Institute's development to Ambassador Olivier Brochet

Delegation in front of the Oceanographic Museum - a reliable place to visit, explore and conduct scientific research in Vietnam and Southeast Asia

Some photos at the Oceanographic Museum and Nha Trang Observatory (Vietnam National Space Center, VAST)

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version