Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology held a press conference to provide information on science, technology and innovation

VAST holds periodic informational press conferences

At the press conference, Vice President Tran Tuan Anh informed journalists about the outstanding results of VAST in 2023. Accordingly, VAST has well performed the tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister. Specifically, in 2023, VAST published a total of 2,211 scientific works, including 1,738 published in international journals and 76 patents for inventions and useful solutions. Compared to recent years and the whole period of 2016 - 2020, the quality and quantity of published works continues to increase.

In 2023, VAST continues to honor the Outstanding Publications of the Year for various research fields conducted by scientists at VAST. VAST has selected nine excellent publications in the fields of Mathematics - Information Technology, Mechanics - Physics - Space Technology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Ecology and Biological Resources, Materials Science, Earth Science, Marine Science, Environment - Energy. In addition, units and individuals in VAST have received many national and international awards such as L'Oreal - UNESCO's 2023 Outstanding Women Scientist, Golden Globe Science and Technology Award and two scientific works honored at 10 outstanding science and technology events in 2023 by the Faculty Journalists Club Vietnamese studies and technology voted.

In the past year, VAST has also actively implemented the Physics Development Program to 2025, the Mathematics Program, the Basic Research Development Program in the field of chemistry, life sciences, earth sciences and marine sciences in the period of 2017-2025, the Digital Transformation Program and the Technology 4.0 Program, Green Growth Program. The only two international science centers in Vietnam recognized and sponsored by UNESCO, the International Center for Physics and the International Center for Research and Training in Mathematics, constantly promote the strengths of the Institute's basic research in the field of Mathematics, Physics.

In addition, in 2023, basic investigation activities will be well implemented and many encouraging results will be obtained, many new species will be discovered, valuable samples will be collected. In international cooperation, VAST has been actively implementing external activities to strengthen and expand international cooperation in scientific and technological research with partners in the region and around the world. It continues to coordinate with the Russian Academy of Sciences to complete the survey trip to study Vietnamese waters by the Academician Oparin ship and prepare to continue the survey in 2024 by the Lavrentiev.

VAST has focused on promoting aApplied research and technology deployment activities. In 2023, VAST was granted 76 Patents for inventions and utility solution patents, including three international patents. In addition, scientists of VAST have actively participated in many applied research projects, experimental production projects, and local cooperation projects. The research results have practical applications and are transferred to the locality, attracting significant financial investment, such as the application of large language models in rare language translation software of the Institute of Information Technology, fire retardant paint technology of the Institute of Materials Science,  heat reflective coating technology of the Institute of Tropical Technology, or the application of biotechnology in agriculture and fisheries such as successfully breeding high-value nemo fish in the domestic and export ornamental biology industry, creating F1 hybrid calves, and creating health support products for patients...

With the goal of improving the quality of postgraduate training up to international standards, the training institutions at VAST continue to implement a number of international training programs. The highlight is the program "International quality doctoral training" of the Graduate University of Science and Technology, the dual degree program of Hanoi University of Science and Technology (USTH). In particular, USTH has recently been certified by the French High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES) to meet European accreditation standards for higher education institutions in the period of 2023 – 2028.

For information, communication and publishing, in 2023, 12/12 specialized scientific journals under VAST were published 100% in English, meeting the set schedule. Of these, 05/12 journals are in the index list of the Web of Science system, 06/12 journals are named in the index in the Scopus system and 8/12 journals meet ASEAN regional standards. Publishing House for Science and Technology has two titles winning the National Book Award (A and C awards).

VAST leaders exchange information with journalists

In addition, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology also pays great attention and efforts to completing the tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister such as: The task of earthquake warning and tsunami warning, in 2023, the network of national seismic stations operated by the Institute of Geophysics recorded 343 earthquakes of magnitude large ranges from 2.5 to 5.4 degrees according to the moment scale over the territory and territorial sea of Vietnam; The stable and efficient operation of the VNREDSat-1 system in orbit is well implemented. After 10 years of operation, VNREDSat-1 satellite is highly appreciated for its operational ability, and the satellite has captured and transmitted to the ground over 155,000 images, size 17.5km x 17.5km over the entire territory, territorial sea of Vietnam as well as areas of interest in the world, actively contributing to space scientific and technological research activities as well as national security room; In the implementation of Project 515 on the collection and identification of martyrs lacking information, during the year the DNA Testing Center collected and received a total of 481 samples of martyrs' remains from 15 martyrs' cemeteries across the country and preserved 6,264 samples of martyrs' remains; Other projects such as: Investment in construction of Hanoi University of Science and Technology; Vietnam National Space Center Project; Vietnam Museum of Nature construction project ... are being actively implemented. 

At the press conference, reporters and journalists asked many questions, exchanged with representatives of leaders of VAST’s units to get more information about the content that VAST has provided. Reporters and journalists affirmed that they will continue to accompany and closely follow the development of the Academy, and expressed their desire that the Academy continue to facilitate exchanges with scientists, accurately and promptly reflect the latest scientific research achievements of VAST and widely promote to readers, thereby fully meeting the information needs of the masses of people.

On behalf of VAST’s Board of Directors, Vice President Tran Tuan Anh would like to thank journalists for their companionship, support and cooperation to VAST in recent years and look forward to continuing to receive the active participation of journalists in transmitting VAST’s information to society,  enhance the interest, support and sharing of the community, contributing to raising awareness of the importance of science and technology for the socio-economic development of the country. On the occasion of the upcoming Xuan Giap Thin, Vice President Tran Tuan Anh wished journalists a healthy New Year and much success in life.

VAST leaders pay tribute to journalists and reporters

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version