President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Ambassador of France to Vietnam Support Strengthening Science and Technology Cooperation between the Two Sides

02/04/2026

On March 19, 2026, in Hanoi, Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai, President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), held a working session with Mr. Olivier Brochet – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Vietnam, aimed at promoting strategic science and technology cooperation between the two sides in the coming period. The discussions focused on strengthening joint research projects; continuing to promote cooperation in Earth observation satellites and space technology; cooperation in the development of the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (Vietnam–France University, USTH); and expanding cooperation in other key science and technology fields such as rare earths, minerals, nuclear energy, and artificial intelligence.

Overview of the meeting

At the meeting, Ambassador Olivier Brochet affirmed that VAST is not only Vietnam’s leading research institution but also a key partner playing an important role in scientific, educational, and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries for more than 30 years. Ambassador Olivier Brochet outlined three key pillars of cooperation for the coming period: (1) development of the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), with the aim of establishing USTH as a center of excellence in education and research in the region; (2) research cooperation with the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), France, including continued promotion of joint projects with IRD in the fields of climate change response and sustainable development; and (3) promotion of the next-generation Earth observation satellite project, considered an important foundation for the future of Vietnam’s space technology.

President Tran Hong Thai expressed strong agreement with the three key pillars of cooperation proposed by the Ambassador, and conveyed his confidence that, with the support of the French Ambassador, this cooperative relationship will not only continue through existing projects but also expand into many new technological fields, contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam.

Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai – President of VAST and Ambassador Olivier Brochet exchanging views at the meeting

Within the framework of the meeting, the two sides also discussed expanding cooperation into advanced science and technology fields such as rare earths and strategic minerals, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence (AI), biomedicine, and pharmaceuticals. These are considered key areas in which France could support VAST in human resource training and technology transfer.

The meeting concluded successfully, not only consolidating the existing foundation of cooperation but also laying the first building blocks for breakthrough projects, further strengthening the strategic partnership between Vietnam and France in the fields of science, technology, and innovation.