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.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
Chairman of the VinFuture Prize Council Sir Richard Henry Friend presides over the seminar on January 19. (Photo: vtc.vn) 
