The 2025 Tran Dai Nghia Prize Award Ceremony: Honoring Vietnamese Intellectuals and Inspiring Scientific Creativity for National Development
On the morning of May 16, 2025, the awarding ceremony for the Tran Dai Nghia Prize 2025 was solemnly held at Tran Dai Nghia Hall, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, representatives from the Party, State, various ministries and local authorities, as well as distinguished members of the scientific community, business leaders, media agencies, and domestic and international partners.
Tran Dai Nghia Award - Honoring applied science for the development of the country
The Tran Dai Nghia Award was established in 2015 and named after one of Vietnam’s most distinguished scientists—Labor Hero, Major General, Professor, and Academician Tran Dai Nghia. He laid the foundation for modern Vietnam’s defense industry and stands as a symbol of intelligence, talent, and patriotism among the nation’s scientific and technological community. The award honors outstanding scientific research works that have been effectively applied in practice within Vietnam. Recognized works not only possess significant academic value but also make direct contributions to addressing urgent and specific challenges facing the country, spanning agriculture, natural resources, environment, energy, and healthcare.
Each award ceremony serves as an occasion to express gratitude and reaffirm the vital role of the Vietnamese scientific community, particularly those who steadfastly engage with practical challenges and quietly contribute to the collective well-being of society.
The selection process is conducted with seriousness, objectivity, and transparency
The Tran Dai Nghia Award in 2025 continues to uphold its prestige and quality through a systematic, transparent, and public selection process. Entries undergo thorough evaluation across multiple stages, beginning with the specialized scientific council, followed by the Award Selection Council of VAST, before being submitted to the leadership for official approval of the results.
The criteria applied include the novelty and creativity of the work; its practical application potential and demonstrated socio-economic effectiveness; the extent of its impact on the community, industry, or locality where it is implemented; and its potential for replication and technology transfer. Following a fair and rigorous evaluation process, in 2025 VAST decided to honor two exemplary works representing timely and widely applicable fields: water resource management in mountainous areas and medium-voltage electrical equipment technology.
From Honor to Dissemination: Vietnamese Science Reaches New Heights of Integration
The two projects honored this year, though belonging to different fields—one focused on mountainous regions, agriculture, and local livelihoods, and the other on industry, energy, and advanced technology—share a common purpose: serving the country through the knowledge and creativity of the Vietnamese people. It is precisely this connection to reality, the aspiration to master technology, the sense of responsibility to the community, and national pride that have driven these scientists to persistently overcome challenges, bridging the gap between research and practical application—an achievement that the Tran Dai Nghia Award consistently strives to recognize.
The 2025 awards ceremony is not only an occasion to honor Vietnamese scientific intellect but also a testament to the crucial role of science and technology in strategies for sustainable development, innovation, and strengthening national resilience. Through concrete and practical contributions, the 2025 Tran Dai Nghia Award once again affirms that science and technology are not merely tools for development but key drivers of self-reliance, paving the way toward a prosperous future for Vietnam.
Awarding the Tran Dai Nghia Prize in 2025
Attending and delivering a directive speech at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung extended warm congratulations to the individuals and organizations receiving the 2025 Tran Dai Nghia Award. He emphasized: “The Tran Dai Nghia Award is a well-deserved recognition of the quiet dedication of scientists, researchers, and innovators—those who have tirelessly pursued exploration and research in silence, overcoming countless challenges to generate values that contribute to the economic, social, defense, and security development of our Motherland.”
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung delivered a keynote address at the Tran Dai Nghia Award Ceremony
In the solemn atmosphere of the 2025 Tran Dai Nghia Award Ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister also called upon the attending delegates to remember and pay tribute to a great figure—Professor, Academician, Major General, and Labor Hero Tran Dai Nghia.
The Deputy Prime Minister further stated: “The Tran Dai Nghia Award is not merely a scientific title; it is also a profound source of inspiration for the younger generation. When a scientific project is honored—transforming knowledge into products that serve life—it strongly affirms that Vietnamese science is fully capable of mastering technology, driving innovation, and accompanying the nation's development in this new era—an era of national advancement.”
Since its establishment, the award has contributed to promoting applied research, fostering connections between scientists, businesses, and society, thereby helping to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem. At the same time, it conveys the core values of science—where each scientist is not only an expert in their field but also a symbol of dedication and service to the homeland.
We are living in an era where science and technology are the key driving forces for development. In this context, the Tran Dai Nghia Award holds a special significance: it is not only a tribute to the past but also an encouragement for the present and an opening for the future. This award reinforces and affirms the belief that Vietnam can rise by its intellectual capacity, by patriotism, and by the very people who embody the spirit of Tran Dai Nghia - living and creating for the great cause of the nation.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his hope that scientists would continue to uphold the noble traditions of the science and technology sector, making even greater contributions to the cause of national construction, development, and defense. He specifically proposed that the Tran Dai Nghia Award be held annually to better align with the current context and expressed his wish that the award would gain wider recognition within the scientific community and across society—contributing to the continuation of the “Tran Dai Nghia” spirit for a strong and prosperous Vietnam.
Some highlights from the 2025 Tran Dai Nghia Award Ceremony include:
Visiting the exhibition area showcasing the two award-winning projects of 2025
Representatives of the awardees expressing gratitude to the Tran Dai Nghia Award
Acknowledgment and appreciation extended to the Award Council, the Scientific Committee, and the sponsors
Taking commemorative photographs to mark the occasion
| INFORMATION ABOUT THE TWO PROJECTS AWARDED THE TRAN DAI NGHIA PRIZE IN 2025 Project 1: Hanging Tank Technology for Water Storage in Mountainous Areas – A Lifesaving Solution for Water-Scarce Highlands Author: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Cao Minh (Institute of Earth Sciences); Dr. Vu Van Bang (Institute of Water and Environment Technology, Union of Vietnam Scientific and Technological Associations), Engineer Nguyen Chi Ton (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ha Giang Province). The shortage of domestic and irrigation water in high mountainous areas has been a persistent challenge for many decades. Rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions complicate efforts to transport water, drill wells, or construct traditional reservoirs, resulting in high costs and limited sustainability. In response to these challenges, the authors have developed an innovative solution: a hanging reservoir technology that collects water from cliff faces. This system leverages the steep terrain to capture and store rainwater during the wet season, ensuring a reliable water supply for daily use and agricultural needs throughout the dry season. This project exemplifies a deep commitment and practical engagement with the needs of communities in mountainous areas. The hanging reservoir technology is specifically designed and implemented to collect and store rainwater in challenging terrains that face prolonged water shortages for domestic and agricultural use. Thanks to its specialized structure, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for rocky mountainous environments, this solution contributes significantly to stabilizing local livelihoods, promoting sustainable agricultural development, and preserving the culture and traditions of ethnic minority communities. Breakthrough and Effective Application: • Utilizes natural terrain without the need for complex pumping or water diversion systems. In addition to its technical merits, the project holds profound humanitarian value by bridging research with community service. It particularly focuses on disadvantaged groups and ethnic minorities, who face significant challenges in living conditions and access to essential services.
Project 2: Research and Development of Medium Voltage Electrical Cabinets – Mastering Technology, Elevating Vietnamese Industry Authors: Engineer Pham Dinh Thang, Engineer Doan Ky Ba, and Engineer Bui Van Dam from Asia Industrial Technology Joint Stock Company. Amid rapid digital transformation, industrialization, and modernization, the demand for electrical equipment—particularly medium-voltage switchgear for factories, industrial zones, and the national power system—has surged. However, the majority of this equipment is still imported, resulting in high costs and technical challenges, especially given Vietnam’s humid climate. Building on practical experience, the author team successfully researched and developed a medium-voltage switchgear system that complies with international quality standards. This groundbreaking project in the industrial-electricity sector aims to master the technology of medium-voltage electrical cabinet production within Vietnam. It advances the localization of equipment, reduces investment costs, and minimizes reliance on imported components. Beyond contributing to the modernization of the electricity sector, the project enhances the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises in the high-tech market and opens promising prospects for the development of the national industrial infrastructure. The value of the project includes: Mastering medium-voltage switchgear technology also paves the way for the development of auxiliary technology products, building a domestic supply chain, and promoting green and sustainable industrial transformation in Vietnam. |
Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version
