VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Pursuant to Decision No. 17-QD/TW dated March 30, 2026 of the Central Committee, as of April 1, 2026, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology is a is a public service unit under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, placed under the direct and regular leadership and direction of the Politburo and the Secretariat.
The following is an excerpt from Decision No. 17-QD/TW dated March 30, 2026:
FUNCTIONS
Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology performs the functions of conducting basic research in natural sciences and technology development; receiving and mastering technologies to provide scientific grounds for the formulation and improvement of the Party’s guidelines and policies, and the State’s laws and policies; conducting research, providing consultancy, and participating in the evaluation of the implementation of the Party’s guidelines and the State’s laws and policies on science, technology and innovation under the direction of the Politburo and the Secretariat; carrying out international cooperation and training high-quality human resources in science and technology in accordance with the law.
The official English name of the Academy is Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, abbreviated as VAST.
TASKS AND POWERS
1. Scientific research and technology development:
a) Conduct basic research in natural sciences, technology development and innovation in fields such as: mathematics; physics; chemistry; biology; biotechnology; information technology; artificial intelligence; mechanics, electronics and automation; space technology; materials science; biodiversity and bioactive compounds; earth sciences; life sciences; marine science and technology; environment and energy; forecasting, prevention and mitigation of natural disasters.
b) Conduct integrated research on natural resources, natural conditions and the environment.
c) Acquire, master, implement, apply and transfer scientific and technological research results.
d) Propose and take the lead in implementing key national-level science and technology tasks as assigned by competent authorities.
e) Disseminate and popularize knowledge and research results in science and technology development to meet the requirements of the science and technology market.
2. Research, forecasting, strategic advisory and policy consultancy:
a) Advise on strategies, plans, policies, programs and important science and technology development projects within the assigned functions and tasks at the request of the Party and the State.
b) Prepare scientific and technological advisory reports and propose guidelines and policies to be submitted periodically or upon request to the Politburo and the Secretariat.
c) Participate in the appraisal and critical review of national programs, strategies and plans related to science, technology and innovation; and contribute to the drafting of, and provide comments on, laws and normative legal documents in accordance with assigned functions.
d) Participate in the assessment of technological levels and the appraisal of techno-economic appraisals for key and important national and local projects as assigned by the Politburo and the Secretariat.
e) Develop large-scale databases in natural sciences to serve applications and innovation in accordance with regulations.
f) Report and provide earthquake information and tsunami warnings to competent authorities in accordance with regulations.
3. Training and human resource development:
a) Train high-level human resources in science and technology; organize undergraduate and postgraduate education in natural sciences and technology within assigned functions and tasks in accordance with the law.
b) Develop and implement specialized training programs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation for scientific personnel and leaders at all levels as required by the Central Organization Commission and Party bodies.
4. International cooperation:
a) Implement international cooperation in science and technology in accordance with Party regulations and State laws; proactively develop and implement long-term international cooperation strategies.
b) Propose the signing, amendment, supplementation, extension, termination, or suspension of international treaties in accordance with Party regulations and State laws; organize the implementation of such treaties as assigned by the Politburo and the Secretariat.
c) Represent Vietnam in international and regional scientific organizations, and maintain cooperative relations with academies, national research institutions, scientific foundations, and reputable educational institutions worldwide in accordance with Party regulations and State laws.
d) Sign, amend, supplement, extend, terminate, or suspend international agreements on behalf of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in accordance with Party regulations and State laws.
e) Organize and supervise the implementation of internationally funded programs and projects in accordance with Party regulations and State laws.
f) Organize and participate in international conferences, workshops, programs and cooperation frameworks in accordance with Party regulations and State laws.
g) Organize research cooperation and joint training in science and technology with international organizations, research institutes and foreign universities in accordance with Party regulations and State laws.
h) Receive scientific aid and sponsorship from international organizations in accordance with Party regulations and State laws.
5. Public service provision:
a) Organize the provision of public services in accordance with the law.
b) Inspect and supervise the provision of public services by subordinate units in accordance with the law.
6. Publishing, journals, information and libraries:
a) Organize the publication of books, documents and specialized journals in science and technology.
b) Develop library information systems; organize information, communication and dissemination of political tasks and policies in assigned sectors and fields.
c) Implement information and reporting regimes in accordance with current regulations.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
1. Leadership:
a) The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has a President and no more than four Vice Presidents. The President of VAST concurrently serves as Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission as assigned by the Politburo. Vice Presidents are considered, decided and appointed by the Secretariat.
b) Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology operates under a single-head responsibility regime. The President of VAST is responsible to the Politburo, the Secretariat, and before the law for all activities, organization and management of the Academy.
2. Organizational structure:
a) Functional units:
(1) Department of Organization, Personnel and Inspection
(2) Department of Planning and Finance
(3) Department of Training and International Cooperation
(4) Department of Science and Technology
(5) Administration Office
(6) VAST Foundation for Science and Technology Development
b) Research units:
(7) Institute of Mathematics
(8) Institute of Physics
(9) Institute of Chemistry
(10) Institute of Mechanics
(11) Institute of Earth Sciences
(12) Institute of Biology
(13) Institute of Oceanography
(14) Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment
(15) Institute of Materials Science
(16) Institute of Information Technology
(17) Institute of Life Sciences
(18) Institute of Advanced Technology
(19) Vietnam National Space Center
c) Other units:
(20) High Technology Innovation Center
(21) Institute of Scientific Data and Information
(22) Vietnam National Museum of Nature
(23) Publishing House for Science and Technology
(24) Graduate University of Science and Technology
(25) University of Science and Technology of Hanoi
