Hanoi (VNA) – As science, technology and innovation increasingly underpin national competitiveness and development, international cooperation has become a key channel for Vietnam to access new knowledge, mobilise research resources and strengthen domestic scientific and technological capacity.
Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science – technology development, innovation and national digital transformation identifies the enhancement of international cooperation and the mobilisation of external resources as priorities for national development. Recent initiatives show that science, technology and innovation have emerged as bright spots in Vietnam’s relations with global partners.
Expanding resources for scientific research
One notable development is the launch of the 2026 Joint Research Funding Programme under the Australia – Vietnam Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Initiative (AVSTICI).
The programme focuses on three priority areas: renewable and new energy technologies, sustainable marine economy, and waste recycling and management. These fields are critical to sustainable development, green growth and environmental resilience. An outstanding feature is the joint funding mechanism, enabling scientists from both countries to form collaborative research teams, undertake joint projects and share resources.
Vietnam’s National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) will coordinate and manage the programme.
NAFOSTED Director Dao Ngoc Chien said the initiative translates bilateral commitments on science and technology cooperation into concrete action while laying the groundwork for collaboration in emerging technologies.
Australia’s Chief Scientist Tony Haymet said Australia is particularly interested in Vietnam’s approach to setting national priorities in science, technology and innovation, as well as its plans for high-performance computing, supercomputing and artificial intelligence (AI).
Australia’s interest reflects the expanding scope of bilateral cooperation in advanced technologies and the increasing need to strengthen research links in the fields strategically important to both sides' furture development. Beyond Australia, Vietnam is expanding partnerships with a wide range of international partners through joint research programmes, co-funded projects and stronger connections among scientific institutions, creating additional resources for domestic research.
A notable trend is the growing focus on strategic technologies. At a recent forum marking the 35th anniversary of ASEAN – Russia dialogue relations in Kazan, Russia, Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan proposed expanding Vietnam – Russia cooperation in AI, quantum technology, space technology and low-Earth-orbit satellites. He also called for more jointly funded research projects and stronger links among young scientists, research institutes and universities in both countries. Russian officials welcomed the proposals and expressed support for broader cooperation in cutting-edge technologies.
The seventh session of the Vietnam – Russia Committee on Education, Science and Technology Cooperation is scheduled to take place in Russia later this year, alongside a conference for young Vietnamese and Russian scientists and a meeting of the bilateral subcommittee on education, science and technology.
The inclusion of AI, quantum technology and space technology in cooperation agendas reflects a growing shift toward emerging technologies expected to drive future gains in productivity, competitiveness and sci-tech advancement.
Growing demand for joint product development programmes
The need for international cooperation is also evident in emerging technology sectors.
Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, noted that Vietnamese researchers in biopharmaceuticals and cosmetics have mastered many stages of extraction, isolation, structural analysis and biological activity assessment, particularly using the country’s rich and unique medicinal resources. However, capabilities in pilot-scale processing, formulation technology, active ingredient standardisation and product development to international standards remain limited.
The Republic of Korea, by contrast, has strong expertise in translating research into commercial products. Through joint laboratories and co-development programmes, bilateral cooperation could create high-value biopharmaceutical and cosmetic products based on Vietnam’s indigenous resources.
A similar opportunity exists in hydrogen technology. Vietnamese scientists have begun researching hydrogen storage materials and hydrogen carriers for energy transport, but most results remain at the laboratory stage. Partners such as the Republic of Korea possess strengths in moving technologies from laboratory research to market deployment.
Thai said structured cooperation programmes and pilot projects could help scale up research outcomes and gradually strengthen Vietnam’s position in the global hydrogen value chain.
Recent cooperation initiatives demonstrate that international partners are supporting Vietnam across multiple segments of the science, technology and innovation ecosystem, including strategic technologies. Strengthening international cooperation not only helps mobilise research resources but also enables Vietnamese scientists to integrate more deeply into global research networks, access advanced technologies and gradually enhance the country’s innovation capacity./.
VNA
