Leading scientists of the world and Vietnam looked into the future of energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and global health at a seminar held in Hanoi on January 19 as part of the VinFuture Sci-Tech Week.
Chairman of the VinFuture Prize Council Sir Richard Henry Friend presides over the seminar on January 19. (Photo: vtc.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) –Leading scientists of the world and Vietnam looked into the future of energy,artificial intelligence (AI), and global health at a seminar held in Hanoi onJanuary 19 as part of the VinFuture Sci-Tech Week.
In his opening remarks,Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said countries around theworld, including Vietnam, are facing common challenges related to climatechange and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts. Promoting the application ofscience - technology, especially high technologies like big data, AI, and cleanenergy, is an essential solution to those challenges.
At a session on the future ofenergy, participants focused on the limitedness of fossil fuels such as coaland oil, global energy trends in the future, sources of clean energy, and technologies using those energy sources so as to reduce climate change impacts.
They also talked aboutscientific advances, the equality in accessing those advances, theirapplicability, and the energy-related responsibility of the community and eachcitizen.
Regarding the future of AI,scientists shared the view that AI has been developing strongly and extensivelyapplied to various aspects, and that the continually changing world and the fourth Industrial Revolution, particularly AI advances, have been greatlyinfluencing humans.
Speaking at the session onthe future of global health, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan expressedhis belief that science - technology will be a useful “weapon” in combating theCOVID-19 pandemic and improving human health in the time ahead.
Participants also discussed challengescaused by the pandemic, population ageing, urbanisation, environmentalpollution, and work-related stress to human’s quality of life and longevity,global health trends, and each individual’s role in disease prevention and control.
The first VinFuture Sci-TechWeek, from January 18 to 21, gathered thousands of scientists, policymakers,and entrepreneurs around the globe.
The seminar on January 19 was presided by Chairmanof the VinFuture Prize Council Sir Richard Henry Friend from CambridgeUniversity in the UK. The professor of physics is the laureate of the MillenniumPrize for Technology in 2010 and also one of the most influential physicists inthe world./.
Although science, technology and innovation are key driving forces for socio-economic development, Vietnam’s national innovation system has just been set up and it does not run in a uniform and effective fashion.
Dr. Nguyen Trong Hieu, a senior lecturer in the solar cell major at the Australia National University (ANU), has been honoured with a science-technology prize in the field of new material technology presented by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology.
The Vietnam-Germany Innovation Network (VGI) and the Bach Khoa Hanoi Technology Investment and Development One Member Company Limited (BK-HOLDINGS) inked an agreement on enhancing cooperation in science-technology and innovation on December 22.
An exchange with international scientists, who are members of the VinFuture Prize Council and Pre-Screening Committee, was held in Hanoi on January 18, as part of the VinFuture Award Week.
With the government's strong direction and active participation from businesses and citizens, national digital transformation is deepening, with a focus on building a digital government, economy, and society.
VietNEST (Vietnamese Nurturing Education for Science & Traditions) is a mobile app and digital platform for Vietnamese language learning among overseas children.
The networks bring together universities, research institutes and domestic and foreign businesses. Members will work closely in training, research, and technology transfer by sharing curricula, improving faculty capacity, providing access to laboratories and research facilities, and jointly implementing science and technology projects.
The Better Choice Awards (BCA) 2025 is a key highlight in the lead-up to Vietnam Innovation Day that falls on October 1, an annual event expected to attract hundreds of innovative enterprises, research institutions, investment funds, and startups from both Vietnam and abroad.
The new line serves as a critical backup route, strategically complementing existing submarine cables and enhancing the resilience, proactivity, and security of Vietnam’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Vietnam is actively yet cautiously preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan (now the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa). The resumption of the programme after years of suspension carries considerable significance for the nation’s development in a new era as it strives to gradually reduce and ultimately phase out coal-fired power to realise the Government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
The government leader reaffirmed Vietnam’s goal of achieving self-reliance in the design, manufacturing, and test of necessary semiconductor chips by no later than 2027.
With the launching of its two-tier local administration model, the city is incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to enhance service delivery for citizens and businesses, aligning with the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.
Vietnam has issued many key policies to support semiconductor development, notably the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Other initiatives include the Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, and the Human Resources Development Programme for the Semiconductor Industry.
Vietnam is no longer just an emerging blockchain market, it is stepping into a leadership role, with global investors, developers, and experts recognising its growing potential to become a leading hub for digital assets in the region.
Taking place on August 1–2, the event features more than 20,000 attendees and over 200 speakers from Vietnam, the h Korea, Singapore, the UAE, Hong Kong (China) and the US.
Dung directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to revise the national startup scheme, ensuring it clearly defines the scope and content, grounded on strong political and legal foundations, international best practices, and well-reasoned arguments for submission to the Government.
The two-day academic forum, themed “Resilience, Sustainability & Digital Transformation in a Changing World: Perspectives from Southeast Asia”, aims to share interdisciplinary research insights, focusing on adaptive capacity, sustainable development, and digital transformation amid evolving global and regional landscapes.
With such a rapid economic growth, Vietnam must diversify energy sources and nuclear power is a rational choice to ensure the national energy security, said Associate Professor Kei Koga from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasised that Vietnam has a clear strategy and ambition in this field, and is rapidly emerging as a central hub and key link in the regional and global semiconductor value chains.
According to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Asia-Pacific Data Centre Investment Landscape report, Vietnam now ranks second in the region for data centre investment returns, with a yield on cost (YoC) of 17.5–18.8%, just behind Singapore’s 21–23%.
Vietnam is taking drastic yet cautious steps in building a culture of nuclear safety and security, with the aim of having its first nuclear power plant operational by the end of 2030 and using this specific energy source effectively and sustainably.
Vietnam’s 5G strategy has been clearly outlined in national digital technology and infrastructure policies. A wide range of solutions is being vigorously implemented to achieve the target of an average internet speed of 100 Mbps by 2025 and full nationwide 5G coverage by 2030.
The visit aimed to assess the new two-tier local government model, preparations for upcoming Party congresses at levels, and implementation of the Politburo’s Conclusion on school construction in border areas.
Chairman of the VinFuture Prize Council Sir Richard Henry Friend presides over the seminar on January 19. (Photo: vtc.vn) 
