2023, which is the pivotal year of the 5-year plan 2021-2025, is an important milestone to evaluate the achieved results of the first half of the period and propose key plans, tasks and solutions for the coming time to successfully complete and achieve the planned targets set out under Resolution 178-NQ/UVHL, September 10, 2020 of the Eighth Congress of Party Deputies of VAST, term 2020-2025. Right from the first months of the year, all cadres, scientists, officials and employees at VAST have united, strived and strongly promoted the achieved results, overcome the shortcomings, limited adherence to the guidelines  of the Party and the National Assembly, the Government, the motto and focus of the Government's 2023 executive direction, and well performed the tasks assigned by the Government, the Prime Minister and the tasks as planned.

Overview of the Conference 

In 2023, VAST has published a total of 2,211 scientific works, including 1738 published in international journals and 76 patents for inventions and useful solutions. The number of internationally published works of VAST in 2023 continues to remain high, reaching 1738 works, accounting for 78.6 percent of the total number of published works. The number of publications in high-quality international journals (works in the list of journals Q1, Q2 according to SCImago, or with IF ≥ 1 according to Web of Science, Citescore ≥ 2 according to Scopus) reached 1,379 works, accounting for 79%. In particular, the number of publications in prestigious international journals on the list of SCIE with ≥ 3 IF index reached 38.3%, especially some works in international journals with high IF index. The number of publications in international journals rated Q1 accounted for 35.4% and Q2 and above reached 70.6%. It can be seen that, compared to recent years and in the whole period of 2016 - 2020, the quality and quantity of published works continue to increase, especially in the context of the number of research staff decreasing according to the Academy's plan to reduce staffing (down 10% in the period of 2016 – 2020 and down another 10% in the period of 2022 – 2026).

In 2023, VAST continues to honor the Outstanding Publications of the Year for various research fields conducted by scientists at VAST. In the second time, VAST has selected 09 excellent publications in the fields of Mathematics - Information Technology, Mechanics - Physics - Space Technology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Ecology and Biological Resources, Materials Science, Earth Science, Marine Science, Environment - Energy. In addition, units and individuals in VAST have received many national and international awards such as L'Oreal-UNESCO's 2023 Outstanding Women Scientist, Golden Globe Science and Technology Award.

In the past year, VAST has actively implemented the Physical Development Program to 2025, the Mathematics Program, the Basic Research Development Program in the field of chemistry, life sciences, earth sciences and marine sciences in the period of 2017-2025, the Digital Transformation Program and the Technology 4.0 Program and Green Growth Program,... The only two international science centers in Vietnam recognized and sponsored by UNESCO, the International Center for Physics and the International Center for Research and Training in Mathematics, constantly promote the strengths of the Institute's basic research in the field of Mathematics, Physics.

Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh speaks at the Conference 

Basic investigative activities have always been one of VAST’s strengths. The system of over 100 stations of VAST spread across the territory and territorial sea of Vietnam to monitor natural environmental factors, continue to be maintained stable operation. In 2023, basic investigation activities are well implemented and many encouraging results are obtained, many new species are discovered, and valuable samples are collected.

Applied research and technology deployment activities continue to be promoted by VAST. VAST has actively coordinated with ministries, sectors and international organizations in developing documents, policies, regulations, standards on intellectual property and technology commercialization. In 2023, the Institute has been granted 76 Patents for inventions and utility solution patents, including 03 international patents. In addition, scientists of VAST have actively participated in many applied research projects, experimental production projects, and local cooperation projects. The research results have practical applications and are transferred to the locality, attracting significant financial investment, such as flame retardant paint technology of the Institute of Materials Science, heat reflective paint technology of the Institute of Tropical Technology, or the application of biotechnology in agriculture, fisheries such as successfully breeding high-value fish in the domestic and export ornamental industry, creating F1 hybrid calves, and creating health support products for patients,... In 2023, subordinate units have implemented 718 science and technology contracts.

In 2023, the third year of implementation of the program attracts young scientists to work at VAST and has attracted 15 young staff to participate, bringing the total to 52 young staff to join the program after three years. In addition, VAST continues to promote the implementation of the Support Program for young, good and highly qualified staff currently working at the Institute. In 2023, VAST has supported 54 young staff including 32 PhDs, 28 masters and 04 engineers and bachelors.

In terms of international cooperation, in 2023, VAST’s international cooperation activities have really been vibrant again after the COVID-19 pandemic. VAST has been actively implementing external activities to strengthen and expand international cooperation in scientific and technological research with partners in the region and around the world. VAST has successfully organized delegations and welcomed delegations to VAST level to exchange opportunities for scientific research and training cooperation as well as sign many cooperation documents in many fields of science and technology with traditional partners. VAST continues to coordinate with Russian Academy of Sciences to prepare for survey trips to study Vietnamese waters by the ship Academician Oparin and the La ven chep ship in the following years.

In the work of undergraduate and postgraduate training and staff retraining, Academy of Science and Technology is currently training 841 students, including 322 graduate students and 519 doctoral students. In the academic year 2023-2024, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi has recruited 891 students, graduate students and doctoral students. The current training scale of the University is 2789 students including three undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees. In 2023, the Academy has 55 PhDs, 53 Masters and 220 bachelor's degrees defending theses. With the goal of improving the quality of postgraduate training up to international standards, training institutions at VAST continue to implement a number of international training programs. The highlight is the program "International quality doctoral training" of Academy of Science and Technology, the dual degree program of the University of Technology. In particular, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi has recently been certified by the French High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES) to meet European accreditation standards for higher education institutions in the period of 2023 – 2028. 

For information, communication and publishing, in 2023, 12/12 specialized scientific journals under VAST will be published 100% in English, meeting the set schedule. In which, 05/12 journals are in the index list of Web of Science system, 06/12 journals are named in the index in Scopus system and 8/12 journals meet ASEAN regional standards. In addition, the website of the Institute is maintained and promoted effectively, acting as a bridge between readers and scientists, helping people know more about scientific research results. In 2023, the number of visits to the VAST’s website is over 4 million. That reflected readers' growing interest in VAST. In addition, the information technology system serving the activities of the Academy has been effective. As of November 2023, there have been over 600,000 downloads of scientific works and over 8,000 downloads of monographs for scientific research activities. For two consecutive years (2021 and 2022), VAST has ranked first in the level of digital transformation in ministries, ministerial-level agencies and agencies attached to the Government that do not provide public services, according to the results of the Digital Transformation Index (DTI) of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

In addition, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology also pays great attention and efforts to complete the tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister such as: The task of earthquake warning and tsunami warning, in 2023 The national network of seismic stations operated by Institute of Geophysics has recorded 343 earthquakes of magnitude large ranges from 2.5 to 5.4 degrees according to the Moment scale over the territory and territorial sea of Vietnam; The stable and efficient operation of the VNREDSat-1 system in orbit is well implemented. After more than 10 years of operation, VNREDSat-1 satellite is highly appreciated for its operability, and the satellite has captured and transmitted to the ground over 155 thousand images, size 17.5km x 17.5km over the entire territory, territorial sea of Vietnam as well as areas of interest in the world, actively contributing to space scientific and technological research activities as well as security national security; In the implementation of Project 515 on the collection and identification of martyrs lacking information, during the year the DNA Testing Center collected and received a total of 481 samples of martyrs' remains from 15 martyrs' cemeteries across the country and preserved 6264 samples of martyrs' remains; Other projects such as: Investment in construction of University of Science and Technology of Hanoi; Vietnam National Space Center Project; Vietnam Museum of Nature construction project,... are actively being implemented.

Other regular activities of VAST in terms of Organization – Personnel and Inspection, Office, Planning – Finance have come into good order, along with the active activities of the Veterans Association, Trade Union and Youth Union contributing to the overall achievements of VAST.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Thanh Dat - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Minister of Science and Technology attends the Conference

Also within the framework of the Conference, delegates heard a number of illustrative reports on the operation and results of units under VAST in the past year.

With the achievements, in 2023, many collectives and individuals of VAST have been awarded by the Government for outstanding achievements in scientific and applied research activities and technology deployment. Specifically: Government Emulation Flag for 01 unit; Order of Independence Third Class for 01 unit; Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister for 01 unit.

In order to commend units, collectives and individuals with excellent achievements in the work in 2023, the Board of Directors of VAST has awarded the title of Emulation Flag of VAST to 08 units; awarding the title of Excellent Labor Collective to 30 units and 28 departmental collectives; awarded the title of VAST Emulation Soldier to 06 individuals; awarded Certificates of Merit from the President of VAST to 20 collectives and 41 individuals; and awarded the title of Junior Emulation Soldier to 45 individuals. In addition, in 2023, VAST has awarded the VAST’s Medal to 36 individuals and awarded the title of Honorary Doctorate to 01 foreign individual.

Awarding the title of Emulation Flag of VAST to 08 units

Some photos at the Conference:

Awarding the title of Emulation Flag of VAST to 08 units

Awarding the title of Excellent Labor Collective to 30 units

Awarding the title of Excellent Labor Collective to 28 collectives

Awarding the title of VAST Emulation Soldier to 06 individuals

Presenting the Certificate of Merit from the President of VAST to 06 units and 05 collectives

Presenting Certificates of Merit from the President of the VAST to 17 individuals

Awarding the Certificate of Merit from Ministry of Public Security to officers and employees of VAST Office who have made outstanding achievements in the whole people's movement to protect national security in 2022

Group photo

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version