President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Receives Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Vietnam

31/07/2026

On the morning of July 2, 2026, at the headquarters of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of VAST, held a courtesy reception for His Excellency Mr. Marco della Seta, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy to Vietnam. The two sides exchanged views on recent scientific and technological cooperation and discussed future orientations to promote bilateral collaboration.

President Tran Hong Thai and Ambassador Marco della Seta exchange views at the event

At the reception, President Tran Hong Thai expressed his gratitude to H.E. Mr. Marco della Seta and the Embassy of the Republic of Italy in Vietnam for their continuous partnership and support in joint research and training activities between VAST and Italian partners. President Tran Hong Thai also shared information regarding VAST's new role (effective April 1, 2026, as an agency directly under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam) in conducting basic research, mastering strategic technologies, and providing policy advice.

Ambassador Marco della Seta congratulated Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai on his new position and highly appreciated VAST's vital role within Vietnam's scientific research system. The Ambassador also congratulated VAST on UNESCO's continued recognition of the International Centre for Research and Postgraduate Training in Mathematics (ICRTM) and the International Centre of Physics (ICP) as UNESCO Category 2 Centres.

Reviewing the long-standing history of cooperation between VAST and its Italian partners, both sides highlighted key milestones over the years. Following the Governmental Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement signed between Vietnam and Italy in 1992, VAST has participated in numerous joint projects in biotechnology, space science, and oceanography. Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016 between VAST and the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), the two sides have carried out various bilateral cooperation programs supporting research projects in new energy, climate change, space science, and Earth observation.

During the meeting, both sides discussed priority cooperation orientations for the upcoming period, focusing on basic research linked with strategic technologies, marine science, and space science, alongside the application of digital technology and remote sensing data in resource management and biodiversity conservation. Discussions also touched upon connecting Italian enterprises with Vietnamese agencies and localities to promote technology transfer and deploy solutions for green development and climate change response.

Leadership from both sides expressed confidence that the discussions would further strengthen scientific and technological cooperation between Vietnam and Italy in the coming time.

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version