Periodic press conference: Results of scientific and technological activities in the first 6 months of 2024

In the first six months of 2024, VAST has well performed the tasks under the direction of the Government and the Prime Minister such as: Investment project to build the Vietnam Space Center in the "Strategy for the development and application of space science and technology to 2030" issued in Decision 169/QD-TTg dated 04/02/2021; implement the process of establishing the Vietnam Journal of Space Science and Technology; stable operating the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Center and the network of monitoring stations, actively contributing to the warning and minimization of damage caused by natural disasters; developing the Vietnam Museum of Nature; continue to direct the Center for DNA Examination to identify martyrs' remains that lack information on the application of the Next Generation Sequencing system (NGS) and hand over the results to the Department of People with Meritorious Services, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs; effectively operating the two International Centers for Mathematics and Physics (recognized and sponsored by UNESCO), contributing to affirming Vietnam's integration in the field of science and technology.

Bilateral and multilateral international cooperation activities with international partners have been strengthened, notably a number of activities: Continuing to perform the tasks assigned by the Government as the representative and plenipotentiary of Vietnam at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR); strengthen Vietnam's scientific staff to participate in research and work at JINR; discuss the project to build a joint laboratory, the project to develop the JINR Information Center in Vietnam. Continue to promote marine research cooperation with international partners: Coordinate with the French Institute for Development Studies (IRD) to deploy a mixed oceanographic survey using the scientific research vessel ANTEA in the coastal waters of Vietnam with the participation of 34 scientists from both sides; coordinate with Russian partners to develop a plan to carry out the 9th joint marine biodiversity and biochemistry survey by the ship "Academician Oparin" and the 2nd joint marine geological and geophysical survey by the ship "Academician Lavrentiev" in Vietnam waters,  implement the "Roadmap for cooperation in marine research for the period 2018 - 2025 between VAST and Russian Academy of Sciences". Continue to play the role of the Government's focal point at international organizations such as the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the Intergovernmental Commission on Oceanography (IOC). 

Along with that, the application and deployment of technology continued to be promoted and achieved many results: Coordinating with People's Committee of Ninh Thuan province to sign a cooperation agreement for the period to 2030 to develop Ninh Thuan into a renewable energy center of the country; coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in implementing tasks on development and mastery of technology for deep processing of rare earth minerals and tasks on bio-industry and food industry; signed a scientific and technological cooperation agreement with the People's Committee of Quang Nam province until 2030; promote comprehensive cooperation between enterprises and affiliated research institutes in order to promote the advantages of the parties, improve the efficiency of technology application and commercialization. As of May 16, 2024, VAST has been granted 53 inventions and useful solutions, a sharp increase over the same period last year.

Many outstanding scientific and technological tasks in the first six months of the year of VAST can be mentioned such as: Successfully researching and manufacturing a standard system for testing/calibrating dust measuring equipment in the air environment" (ManDust) with new and innovative technology is a breakthrough product in the field of environment; successfully fabricated the HP2R rotary high-performance reactor model for wastewater stripping process with high pollution concentration; successfully developed a technological process and successfully formulated Lan Kim Tuyen tablets and Stone Ginseng tablets to support the health of cancer patients; successfully synthesized SPION/HAp - a superparamagnetic hybrid material capable of killing bladder cancer cells, opening up a promising research direction and effective application in the field of biomedicine; successfully manufactured CA125 cancer antigen quantitative ELISA kit to diagnose ovarian cancer; mastering the technology of manufacturing TiN films on the basis of titanium alloy, oriented for application in the orthopedic injury industry; successfully developed a technological process for the high extraction of medicinal herbs Purple Incense and Bitter Ginseng rich in active ingredients and preparations, successfully produced and tested health supplements in the form of tablets that have the effect of supporting memory; successfully building a beach waste monitoring model; mastering the technology of manufacturing inorganic nanomaterials and additives applied in advanced coating technology; building a national multi-target localization for 06 northern border provinces.,...

For information, communication and publishing: VAST always attaches great importance to the application of information technology in the management and administration activities of the VAST’s leaders and the research activities of its affiliated units. VAST’s web portal has always been maintained and promoted with good efficiency, carrying out transparent publicity according to regulations, acting as a bridge between readers and scientists, helping people better understand the activities and results of the VAST; In the first six months of 2024, there have been more than two million visits. Six scientific journals of VAST’s have entered the Scopus system, operate according to a specific mechanism and maintain a good citation system. The book publishing at the Natural Sciences and Technology Publishing House (under VAST) has now had many innovations, continuing to affirm its position in performing the task of publishing natural science and technology books. In 2024, VAST approves 23 books on monograph publishing: The preparation and editing of seven manuscripts have been completed, preparing for publication according to the approved plan.

Regarding the plan for the last six months of 2024: VAST continues to implement the work program of the Government and the Prime Minister and the tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister; strengthen administrative discipline and discipline; continue to promote the application of information technology in management, administration and handling of work; strongly and effectively implement scientific and technological tasks to implement the National Strategy on Green Growth in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050; National action plan on green growth for the period of 2021 - 2030; Physics Program, Mathematics Program and Basic Science Development Program in the fields of Chemistry, Life Sciences, Earth Sciences and Marine Sciences in the period of 2017 - 2025; National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence Development; National Strategy for Space Technology. In particular, focus on improving the quality of international publications that meet international standards; improve product quality for scientific and technological tasks; strengthen technology incubation, application of science and technology to production and life; develop and implement programs to attract high-level young scientists and cadres; implement Regulation 144-QD/TW dated May 9, 2024 of the Politburo on revolutionary ethical standards of cadres and Party members in the new period and Directive 35-CT/TW of June 14, 2024 of the Politburo on Party congresses at all levels leading up to the 14th National Congress of the Party. 

Representatives of press agencies and representatives of leaders of exchange units at the press conference

At the press conference, reporters and journalists also asked many questions and exchanged with representatives of leaders of the VAST’s units to get more information about the content that the Institute has provided, mainly focusing on issues that are currently of interest such as:  information on new earthquakes and earthquake forecasting activities of monitoring stations, the situation of research on alternative products and treatment of plastic waste, the application of science and technology. Reporters and journalists also affirmed that they will continue to accompany and closely follow the development of VAST and at the same time expressed their desire for VAST to continue to facilitate exchanges with scientists, accurately and promptly reflect the latest scientific research achievements of the Institute and widely promote them to readers, thereby fully meeting the information needs of a large number of people.

On behalf of the Party Committee of the VAST’s Board of Directors, Vice President Tran Tuan Anh thanked the companionship, support and collaboration of journalists for the VAST in recent years and wished to continue to receive the active and active participation of journalists in transmitting information,  the results of scientific research and technology application of the VAST to society, strengthening the interest, support and sharing of the community, contributing to raising awareness of the importance of science and technology to the country's socio-economic development.

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version