VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY READY IN SPIRIT TO BRING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTO THE NATION’S ERA OF RISE

The Prime Minister’s early spring visit was not only a great source of encouragement but also reaffirmed the pivotal role of science, technology, and innovation in the country’s new journey. This marks a meaningful milestone as Vietnam enters the “spring of a new era” – a period of breakthrough to affirm its position and enable the nation to rise strongly.

Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh – Secretary of the Party Committee and President of VAST affirming that VAST has achieved many significant accomplishments thanks to the close direction of the Government and the coordination of ministries and sectors

At the beginning of the working session, Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh – Secretary of the Party Committee and President of VAST extended his welcome and New Year greetings to the Prime Minister and leaders of ministries and sectors. Reviewing the 2020–2025 period, Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh affirmed that VAST had achieved many significant accomplishments thanks to the close direction of the Government and the coordination of ministries and sectors. In particular, the Prime Minister directly resolved several major bottlenecks, notably the LotusSat satellite project in cooperation with Japan. In the new development phase, VAST has proactively formulated a specific action program to implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, focusing on improving the quality of basic research, developing core and foundational technologies, and promoting the transfer and commercialization of research results.

Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai – Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Standing Vice President of VAST reporting at the working session

At the working session, delegates focused on reporting and discussing the results achieved by VAST and its member units in recent years across various fields; the tasks and solutions for implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress in the field of science and technology; and the implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. The Prime Minister listened to leaders, officials, and scientists of VAST sharing a number of issues of common concern, such as continuing to improve institutions and policies for science and technology, especially management mechanisms, financial mechanisms, human resource policies, autonomy in science and technology, and investment in upgrading infrastructure and facilities.

Presenting the report at the working session, Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai – Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Standing Vice President of VAST, stated that, in the face of the historic opportunities opened up by the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and Resolution 57-NQ/TW, VAST identifies this as a ripe moment to leverage the foundation of basic research accumulated over decades, in order to transition toward bringing science and technology applications into practice as a primary driving force for socio-economic development.

The year 2025 marks an important turning point for VAST, with impressive results that affirm its position as a leading institution in national science. With a system of specialized research institutes and one internationally standardized university (USTH), and a workforce of more than 2,500 staff members, including hundreds of leading experts, VAST leads the country in international publications and intellectual property. It has published more than 2,300 scientific papers (over 1,700 in ISI/Web of Science-indexed journals), achieving an average rate of 1.7 publications per PhD per year, comparable to leading research organizations in developing countries, and has been granted 105 intellectual property titles, ranking first nationwide in the number of patents and utility solutions.

During the 2021–2025 period, VAST published more than 12,000 scientific works and was granted nearly 300 patents, 1.5 times higher than in the previous period - affirming its position as the country’s leading institution in both basic and applied research. The Academy has mastered strategic technologies, including the development of AI-based autonomous driving modules for electric vehicles; the application of gene editing in rice; the production of hydrogen from renewable energy; and the development of next-generation battery materials. It has operated effectively two UNESCO Category II Centers. In implementing Resolution 57 of the Politburo, of the 45 assigned tasks, VAST has completed 12 on schedule, with the remaining 33 being implemented within the prescribed timeframe, and none delayed.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly commending and respectfully recognizing the efforts and contributions of generations of scientists of VAST over the past half century

Reviewing the formation and development of VAST, along with its concrete contributions and the individuals who have contributed to the nation’s construction and development, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the Government, warmly commended and respectfully acknowledged the efforts and contributions of generations of VAST scientists over the past half century, affirming that VAST has established its position as a core force within the national science system.

The Prime Minister expressed his expectation that, in the coming period, VAST will achieve breakthrough development, affirm its role as Vietnam’s leading center for science and technology, and gradually reach the level of advanced countries in the region and the world, with the goal of becoming by 2030 a leading science and technology research organization in Southeast Asia, possessing international competitiveness in several key fields, guided by the 20-word motto: “Elite Intelligence – Mastering Technology – Strong Innovation – Close Alignment with Reality – Shaping the Future.”

The Prime Minister expressed his confidence that, with its tradition of solidarity and boundless creativity, VAST will continue to conquer new heights, worthy of being a source of pride for Vietnamese science. VAST will always be a place that generates, nurtures, and brings together outstanding talents of the new era—talents who conquer not fortresses, but technological peaks; talents who contribute to safeguarding sovereignty not only with determination, but with intellect and creativity.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the Party and State leadership, presenting the First-Class Labor Order to VAST

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the Party and State leadership, presented the First-Class Labor Order to VAST in recognition of its outstanding achievements and contributions to the cause of national construction and defense. Within the framework of the working session, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also visited the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), the Institute of Earth Sciences, and the Institute of Materials Science, highly appreciating their achievements in scientific research, technology development, training, and international cooperation.

Some other images from the working session:

Overview of the working session

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh working with the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center – Institute of Earth Sciences

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh interacting with students of University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visiting the Traditional Room of Institute of Materials Science

Presenting gifts to former leaders of VAST

Taking commemorative photos

Translated by Pnuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version