In practice, international cooperation plays a crucial role in connecting resources and strengthening the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem, particularly in strategic sectors.
However, this process faces several challenges, including shortages of high-quality human resources, limitations in infrastructure and supporting ecosystems, and insufficient linkages among research institutes, universities, and enterprises, thereby reducing the effectiveness of technology diffusion.
The need for stronger cooperation is evident in the bio-pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector, an important component of the bioeconomy.
According to Professor Dr Tran Hong Thai, President of the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology, the Academy has established a solid research foundation and mastered numerous stages of the research process, from extraction, isolation, and structural identification to biological activity assessment at the cellular level and for certain molecular targets, particularly using the country’s rich and unique medicinal resources. This provides a significant advantage for developing value-added chains based on indigenous resources. However, capabilities in deep processing at the pilot scale, formulation technology, active ingredient standardisation, and product development meeting international standards remain limited.
Meanwhile, partners such as the Republic of Korea (RoK) possess outstanding strengths in completing the value chain “from laboratory to market”. Through integrated cooperation models such as joint laboratories or co-development programmes, this collaboration could create high-value bio-pharmaceutical and cosmetic products capable of competing in regional markets.
Similarly, in the field of hydrogen technology, a pillar of the global energy transition, the need for international cooperation is increasingly evident.
The Academy has made initial progress in addressing core issues, including research on hydrogen storage materials requiring high energy density and safety standards, as well as hydrogen carriers capable of solving transportation challenges within the value chain.
However, these achievements remain largely confined to laboratory-scale research and lack the conditions necessary for technological development and practical application.
In contrast, the RoK has already established a relatively comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem, encompassing materials research, storage technologies, system integration, and industrial and transportation applications.
Given this reality, Professor Dr Tran Hong Thai believes that well-structured cooperation programmes and specific pilot projects could help both sides gradually scale research outcomes into practical applications, thereby developing stronger capabilities to participate in the global hydrogen technology value chain.
As scientific and technological globalisation continues to deepen, international cooperation has been identified as one of the key pillars driving the development of science, technology, and innovation.
However, international cooperation should not merely focus on receiving finished technologies. Its core objective is direct participation in knowledge creation and technological mastery, enabling countries to transition from being technology recipients to co-creators while steadily enhancing domestic research and development capabilities.
According to Associate Professor Dr Tran Cao Vinh, Vice President of Viet Nam National University – Ho Chi Minh City, stronger collaboration is needed among government agencies, businesses, and domestic and international partners, particularly those from RoK, to jointly build a robust technology ecosystem capable of competing internationally.
Currently, the university is promoting a commercialisation model based on an innovation ecosystem that closely links universities, enterprises, and government agencies, focusing on strategic technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and integrated circuits, biotechnology, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), big data, and digital transformation. At the heart of this model is an innovation centre that serves as a bridge between technology and the market, coordinating resources and accelerating commercialisation.
The university is also developing comprehensive support mechanisms, including a Strategic Advisory Council featuring leaders from major corporations such as GIBC, Vina Capital, VNG, AgriS, and Coteccons.
Its ultimate goal is to foster technology enterprises, bring products to domestic and international markets, and establish a complete value chain encompassing research, intellectual property, and commercialisation.
Alongside expanding international cooperation in science and technology, cooperation in human resource development remains a fundamental pillar for enhancing national competitiveness. The focus is on developing comprehensive training programmes that cultivate professionals with strong expertise, innovative thinking, and global integration capabilities.
Viet Nam National University – Ho Chi Minh City is placing particular emphasis on nurturing a generation of learners capable of international engagement and early participation in research and scientific publication.
Building on this foundation, the university plans to expand high-quality training programmes in strategic fields while upgrading its educational system through the development of 20 joint-degree programmes, more than 200 internationally accredited programmes, and broader implementation of distance-learning models.
Drawing from recent cooperation with RoK, Associate Professor Dr Bui The Duy, Director of Viet Nam National University – Ha Noi, noted that technology-transfer projects and the growing trend of RoK companies commissioning research from Viet Nam have strengthened the connection between applied research and education.
This has simultaneously enhanced technological capabilities and developed high-quality human resources. Therefore, he emphasised the importance of further promoting multi-stakeholder cooperation models involving research institutes, universities, and enterprises working with international partners on the basis of co-development, shared benefits, and complementary strengths, ultimately aiming to create strategic technology products with strong market competitiveness.
