Vietnam–Japan Space Vision Forum 2026: Cooperation for a New Era and Inauguration of the Vietnam National Space Center at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, Hanoi
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the Vietnam National Space Center
Attending the event were Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; H.E. Ito Naoki – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam; leaders and representatives of Party commissions, ministries, sectors, and Hanoi; leaders and former leaders of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and its affiliated units; representatives of the Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Office in Vietnam, and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO); together with scientists, international partners, contractors involved in the construction of the project, and staff of the Vietnam National Space Center.
Overview of the event
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan – Director General of the Vietnam National Space Center – delivered the opening remarks, reviewing important milestones in the formation and development of the Center. He noted that since 2006, VAST has signed a cooperation agreement with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Following a visit to the Tsukuba Space Center in 2007, space technology was identified as a strategic area of cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. During the 2008–2010 period, Japan supported Vietnam in human resource training and in the preparation of the pre-feasibility study for the Vietnam Space Center project. In 2009, the Prime Minister approved the investment policy for the project; in 2010, the Government of Vietnam continued to request Japan’s support through ODA funding. On September 16, 2011, the Vietnam National Space Center was officially established under VAST.
On this occasion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government, ministries, sectors, VAST, Japanese partners, and the staff of the Center, and expressed his confidence that the “Vietnam–Japan Space Vision Forum 2026: Cooperation for a New Era” would be successful, opening up further opportunities for closer and more effective cooperation in the field of space technology.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan – Director General of the Vietnam National Space Center delivering the opening remarks at the event
“Vietnam–Japan Space Vision Forum 2026: Cooperation for a New Era”
The Forum takes place from March 12–15, 2026, and is a key event jointly organized by VNSC under VAST in coordination with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI), with the participation of numerous leading Japanese agencies, enterprises, research institutes, and universities in the field of space technology. During the discussion sessions, experts focus on key topics such as the application of satellite data in disaster prevention and control, climate change response, vessel monitoring, marine economy, smart agriculture, natural resources and environmental management, as well as space data standardization and safety. In addition to B2B and B2G networking activities, the Forum also features the “Space Exploration” exhibition, open to the public on March 14–15. The event is expected to serve as a strategic platform for connection, contributing to the development of a space economy ecosystem in Vietnam and further deepening Vietnam–Japan cooperation in the era of innovation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh outlining six key tasks and solutions for the development of the space technology sector in the coming period
In his remarks at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam consistently upholds the policy of developing space technology for peaceful purposes, in compliance with United Nations conventions and international law, for the goals of sustainable development and the interests of the people, enterprises, and the nation; while ensuring independence, self-reliance, and resilience in tandem with expanding substantive and effective international cooperation. The Prime Minister emphasized that Resolution 57-NQ/TW identifies space technology as one of the strategic sectors to be prioritized for investment, development, and gradual mastery, in which low Earth orbit satellites are an important product. To realize this vision, the Prime Minister outlined six key tasks and solutions: improving institutions; mobilizing resources; developing shared data infrastructure; training high-quality human resources; ensuring the effective, safe, and sustainable operation of the Vietnam Space Center; and strengthening international cooperation, particularly leveraging the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.
Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai – President of VAST affirming that VAST will maximize its capacity and invested infrastructure to operate the Vietnam National Space Center in a professional, safe, and effective manner
In response to the Prime Minister’s directions, Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai – President of VAST – affirmed that these are strategic orientations and that VAST will translate them into concrete action programs with clear roadmaps, task assignments, and deliverables. He also proposed that the Prime Minister, the Government, and ministries, sectors, and localities continue to provide attention and support in terms of mechanisms, policies, and resources, and promote the utilization of satellite data and ground infrastructure, as well as commissioning specific science and technology tasks. Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai affirmed that VAST will maximize its existing capacity and infrastructure; operate the Vietnam National Space Center in a professional, safe, and effective manner; accelerate the launch of the LOTUSat-1 satellite; and continue to expand international cooperation in the journey of space exploration.
Representing the Japanese side, Vice Minister of Economy and Technology of Japan Hiroyuki Hatada, together with Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam Ito Naoki, highly appreciated Vietnam’s vision in promoting science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, in which space technology plays an important role in rapid and sustainable development. The Japanese side affirmed its commitment to continue accompanying Vietnam in the application of space technology for peaceful purposes, serving socio-economic development, disaster prevention and control, and climate change response.
Inauguration of the Vietnam National Space Center: A Significant Milestone in the Strategy to Strengthen Capacity and Gradually Master Space Technology in Vietnam
The Vietnam National Space Center project is the first high-tech science and technology project implemented using ODA loans from the Government of Japan, with two main objectives: to build the infrastructure of the Vietnam National Space Center and to receive technology transfer in order to gradually master Earth observation satellite technology; and to enhance capacity in disaster prevention and control, climate change response, natural resource management, and environmental monitoring through remote sensing data, serving socio-economic development and national security.
The project comprises three main components: construction of the Vietnam Natioanl Space Center infrastructure; manufacturing and launching of the LOTUSat-1 satellite using synthetic aperture radar (SAR); and receiving technology transfer through human resource training.
To date, the project has achieved a number of significant results. The basic satellite training component in Japan has been completed with 36 master’s graduates in space technology; the 50 kg MicroDragon experimental satellite was successfully designed, manufactured, and launched into orbit in 2019 using the Epsilon-4 rocket. The main facilities of the Vietnam National Space Center, along with research, application, and training establishments, have been completed and put into operation, forming a foundation for satellite operation, data acquisition and processing, application development, and human resource training. LOTUSat-1 has been completed, the ground system has been installed and handed over, and the operational team has been systematically trained in Japan. The technical infrastructure and human resources are now ready for the phase of operation, exploitation, and application development.
The inauguration of the Vietnam National Space Center at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park marks an important milestone in Vietnam’s strategy to strengthen capacity and gradually master space technology, contributing to the implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo and the development orientation for strategic technologies under Decision 1131/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the design and manufacture of “Made in Vietnam” satellites has been identified as one of the strategic technological directions to be prioritized for development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the inauguration of the Vietnam National Space Center marks a new step in the development of the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. This is a project of significant importance, representing the result of a long journey in the development of Vietnam’s satellite technology, while also marking the transition from the stage of building foundations to the stage of operation, utilization, and gradual mastery of space technology. The project also stands as a symbol of the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. The Prime Minister highly appreciated and expressed his sincere thanks for the support of the Government, organizations, and enterprises of Japan, which has contributed to laying the foundation for the two countries to continue advancing toward new heights for the prosperity of each nation, as well as for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Some photos from the event:
Visit to the Vietnam National Space Museum
Visit to exhibition booths
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Vietnam National Space Center at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park
Tree planting ceremony
Visit to the Vietnam National Space Center
Group photo
Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version
