The Fourth Meeting between Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications: Cooperation in Science, Technology, and Digital Transformation in the New Phase
The Fourth Bilateral Meeting between Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications
In his opening remarks, Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST, emphasized that in the context of Vietnam’s governmental restructuring toward a more streamlined system, along with the adoption of key resolutions such as Resolution 57 on the development of science, technology, and innovation, and Resolution 59 on international integration, VAST has also reorganized into 24 entities focusing on eight strategic priority research directions. The goal is to become one of the leading scientific institutions in Asia by 2030 and a regional and global science center by 2045. This further affirms the necessity and significance of cooperation with MTC in the new phase. President Chau Van Minh expressed his confidence that, with the spirit of special friendship, strong determination, and high sense of responsibility, bilateral cooperation in science and technology will deepen and become increasingly effective, contributing to the sustainable development of both countries and strengthening the Vietnam-Laos relationship.
Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST, delivered remarks at the Meeting
In recent years, the Joint Laboratory on Data and Disaster Communication has continued to operate effectively, promptly recording and analyzing major seismic events, thereby contributing to enhancing Laos’ early warning capabilities. In the field of education and training, the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) and the Institute of Information and Communication Technology of Laos (IICT) have jointly developed a plan to train high-quality human resources through long-term programs, including master’s and doctoral scholarship schemes, student exchange programs, and the preparation of Lao teaching staff for newly established academic disciplines. Cooperation in the fields of big data and cloud computing has also been further promoted, aiming toward the establishment of a National Center for Data Storage and Cloud Computing in Laos.
Dr. Nguyen Xuan Anh, Vice President of the Institute of Earth Sciences, presented a report on the Joint Laboratory on Data and Disaster Communication at the Meeting
At the Meeting, Prof. Acad. Boviengkham Vongdara, Minister of the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications, expressed his pleasure and appreciation for the fruitful cooperation between VAST and MTC in recent years, regarding it as vivid evidence of the special friendship between the two Parties, two Governments, and the peoples of both countries. He emphasized the significance of the year 2025 - when Vietnam celebrates its 80th National Day and Laos prepares to mark its 50th National Day - as historic milestones, and affirmed that Vietnam’s achievements in science and technology, including contributions from the Academy, serve as an inspiration for Laos to continue its development path.
Prof. Acad. Boviengkham Vongdara, Minister of the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications
The Minister expressed his belief that the Fourth Meeting represents an important step in reviewing the outcomes of cooperation while opening new, deeper, and more comprehensive directions for future collaboration, contributing to the sustainable development of both countries and further strengthening the Vietnam-Laos solidarity.
Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (right), delivered remarks at the Meeting
Speaking at the Meeting, Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Executive Vice President of VAST, expressed his agreement with the views of the co-chairs and emphasized that the achieved results are a testament to the strong spirit of solidarity between the two sides. He proposed that discussions should delve deeper into the ongoing activities, particularly in the areas of disaster warning and seismic event response. Prof. Tran Hong Thai recommended developing standardized procedures for establishing and maintaining laboratories in Laos, while simultaneously strengthening training programs and forming joint research teams. According to him, with this approach, within five years Laos will have a team of capable experts who can operate independently in multiple fields, supported by Vietnam through data sharing and research modeling collaboration.
Mr. Saysana Sitthiphone, Deputy Minister of the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications, expressed his appreciation for the tangible results achieved by both sides
Participating for the first time in the Bilateral Meeting, Mr. Saysana Sitthiphone, Deputy Minister of the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications, expressed his pleasure and appreciation for the practical outcomes achieved under the leadership of Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh and Prof. Acad. Boviengkham Vongdara. He affirmed that these achievements exemplify the special spirit of solidarity between Vietnam and Laos in the fields of science, technology, and digital transformation. He proposed that in the coming period, both sides should further expand the implementation of the contents outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding and signed projects; that Vietnam support the organization of short-term and long-term training courses for Lao technical staff; cooperate in rebuilding the Natural Science Center in Laos; and enhance exchanges and joint research in fields such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and fundamental sciences. The Deputy Minister expressed his confidence that with Vietnam’s strong support, bilateral cooperation will continue to expand and make important contributions to Laos’ sustainable development in the coming period.
Within the framework of the Meeting, delegates heard reports on the cooperation status following the Minutes of the Third Session through training collaboration between the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) and the Institute of Information and Communication Technology of Laos, as well as the report on the implementation of the proposed ODA Project for the establishment of an Earthquake Information Center in Laos, jointly conducted by the Institute of Smart Technology Application Research and the Institute of Earth Sciences.
Building upon these outcomes, both sides agreed to continue finalizing the Draft Project on the Data and Communication Center for Natural Disasters to report to the Governments of the two countries. They also agreed to expand cooperation in science and technology policy and innovation; to learn from Vietnam’s experience in management, promoting start-ups, and attracting high-tech investment; to enhance exchanges of experts and researchers; and to broaden forms of short-term and long-term training. In addition, the two sides will soon discuss and move toward signing a cooperation agreement on a joint science and technology fund, thereby creating a legal and financial foundation for the effective implementation of joint research activities. Both sides expressed their confidence that scientific and technological cooperation between Laos and Vietnam will continue to grow and achieve even greater success.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST, sincerely acknowledged the agreement of the Lao Minister of Technology and Communications on the discussed contents and expressed his pleasure at the Lao side’s invitation for the VAST delegation to attend the Fifth Bilateral Meeting, to be held in Laos in the near future.
Both sides signed the Minutes of the Fourth Bilateral Meeting
A cooperation agreement was also signed between the Institute of Earth Sciences and the Institute of Smart Technology Application Research
The Meeting concluded successfully with the signing ceremony of the Minutes of the Fourth Bilateral Meeting and the Cooperation Agreement between the Institute of Earth Sciences and the Institute of Smart Technology Application Research, marking an important step forward in realizing the goals of scientific, technological, and innovation cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the digital era.
For more information about the event published by other media agencies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQBkIlvbgXY
Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version
