Top Priority for Scientific & Technological Development Cooperation

Vietnam has to date signed many bilateral cooperation agreements on science and technology with many countries in the world. In addition to researching, acquiring and successful applying suitable technologies for social and economic development, Vietnam also pays special attention to high-tech development to accelerate the process of national industrialisation and modernisation. And, the cooperation with the United States is considered a major priority. On November 17, 2000, on the occasion of former US President Bill Clinton’s visit to Vietnam, the Vietnam - United States Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation was signed in Hanoi, opening a new era of scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

 

After 10 years the agreement was signed, the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam and the US Department of State have collaborated to successfully implement many important events: Organising many scientific conferences on commercialisation of scientific and technological products; seminars on improving efficiency and promoting linkage between scientific research with education through the Millennium Initiative, pollution treatment technologies and environment, atlas on natural disasters in Asia-Pacific region; scientific conference on East Sea oceanography; conference on sharing the United States’ experience in forming and developing scientific and technological businesses; signing of memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology and the New York Botanical Garden; signing of memorandum of understanding on cooperation on effective land and natural resource management between the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology and the US Department of the Interior, etc. Many scientists in Vietnam, the United States and other countries have enthusiastically attended above events and presented their scientific researches. The two sides have also displayed posters introducing typical scientific and technological cooperation projects engaged by businesses of the two countries.

 

At the seventh meeting of the Joint US - Vietnam Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (JCM) pursuant to the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation in Hanoi in December 2010, Mr Daniel Clune, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (US), said: The US always regards Vietnam as a strong partner in science, technology, and innovation. The cooperation in science and technology between Vietnam and the US has made solid progress. Cooperation projects are not only confined to exchange of information and field trips but also focused on strengthening research, training, technology transfer, technology demonstration, and equipment support. The Vietnamese and US scientific communities are working together to address today’s global challenges in areas such as climate change, marine and environmental science, disaster preparedness, agriculture and biotechnology, and health.

 

The involvement of businesses and nongovernmental organisations has also significantly contributed to the more dynamic scientific and technological cooperation and closer economic cooperation between and the . Together with the agreement on the formation of Centre of Excellence signed between the - US Education Foundation (VEF) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology, in March 2004, International Data Group (IDG) established a venture fund called IDG Vietnam Ventures with an initial capital of US$100 million. The entire amount of initial capital has invested, mainly in private businesses operating in telecom, communication and technology. In 2011, IDG will set up a second venture with US$$150 million, focusing on companies which have operated 1-2 years, have potential but encounter capital difficulties. In 2012, the group will create the third venture fund with US$250 million, focusing on companies operating in more than two years and having brand-established products.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Viet Thanh affirmed that the US is one of the important partners in Vietnam’s scientific and technological cooperation. In the next decade, Vietnam and the US will focus on cooperation in healthcare, information and communication technology, marine science, environment, climate change, agriculture, biotechnology, biodiversity, science education and research, aerospace, energy, traffic safety, standardisation and measurement. The two countries’ business and science-technology communities will be offered many priorities for development, especially in the sharing of information and knowledge, technology transfer and renovation, the development of strong research teams, building and implementation of joint research projects and encouragement of major US groups to invest in Vietnam’s science and technology.

 

It is obvious that international cooperation in science and technology has become an important element in Vietnam’s external economic relations and socioeconomic development. It is a tremendous resource, a bridge and an indispensable channel for domestic scientific and technological activities. Hence, promoting scientific and technological cooperation with the United States - a global hi-tech centre - has an underlying significance to Vietnam’s scientific and technological development strategy and international integration. Through this close cooperation, both sides have created a good platform for researcher communities. Thus, the scientific and technological cooperation with the United States should be maintained and strengthened in the future, making it an area of priority. Vietnam will take this opportunity to modernise its science and technology to become a modern industrialised nation as planned.