Workshop Summarizing the Physics Development Program for 2021–2025: Aligning Physics Development with National Strategic Technologies
Overview of the Workshop
Opening the Workshop, Mr. Tran Quoc Cuong, Director General of the Department of Social, Human and Natural Sciences, stated that the Physics Development Program for the 2021–2025 period has contributed to enhancing Vietnam's scientific and technological capacity through the implementation of many key research tasks, human resource development, postgraduate training, nurturing young scientists, and fostering international cooperation.
Mr. Tran Quoc Cuong, Director General of the Department of Social, Human and Natural Sciences, delivers the opening remarks at the Workshop
Presenting the summary report, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, Deputy Director General of the Department of Social, Human and Natural Sciences, noted that the Program not only supported research projects but also contributed to the comprehensive development of the physics field through doctoral training, building strong research groups, investing in laboratories, upgrading equipment, and promoting scientific communication and knowledge dissemination.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, Deputy Director General of the Department of Social, Human and Natural Sciences, presents the summary report
At the Workshop, Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Lam, Director General of Vietnam National Space Center under Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), summarized several key results achieved by VAST in implementing the 2021–2025 Physics Program, such as: strengthening cooperation with Dubna (personnel increased from 18 to 36 people); effectively maintaining the International Centre of Physics (renewed by UNESCO for eight years), organizing numerous international conferences, developing scientific journals, and investing in 3 laboratories. Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Lam also proposed continuing the Program for the 2026–2031 period, increasing financial investment and equipment, and perfecting special mechanisms for basic research.
Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Lam presents a paper at the Workshop
On behalf of the Vietnam Physical Society, Prof. Nguyen Dai Hung, former President of the Society, presented a paper on the process of formulating and establishing the Physics Development Program up to 2020 (pursuant to Decision 380/QD-TTg dated March 24, 2015) initiated by the late Academician Nguyen Van Hieu, the continuation of the Program for the 2021–2025 period, the achievements attained, and the necessity of developing physics as a foundation for advancing national strategic technologies.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dai Hung presents a paper at the Workshop
The workshop allocated time for discussions and heard opinions from numerous delegates regarding limited investment resources, short execution timeframes for research tasks, and financial and procurement mechanisms that remain unsuited to the specific nature of research activities. These were identified as the primary reasons why many outcomes have stayed at the level of scientific publications rather than yielding high-value products.
Based on practical implementation, delegates proposed establishing long-term investment mechanisms for strong research groups, refining policies to develop young scientific talent, enhancing efforts to attract international experts and overseas Vietnamese scientists, and improving the operational efficiency of key laboratories. Furthermore, delegates noted that physics urgently requires continued emphasis to serve as a foundation for technology development and application—particularly in fields such as semiconductors, advanced materials, energy, photonics, nuclear physics, biomedical technology, and artificial intelligence—thereby contributing to enhancing national scientific and technological autonomy.
The Organizing Committee stated that it will synthesize all feedback to finalize the summary report of the Physics Development Program for 2021–2025, while proposing mechanisms, policies, and priority directions to develop physics in the next phase, meeting the country's requirements for science, technology, and innovation development.
Group photo
Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version
