Vietnamese and Russian units want to change cooperation from individual topics to projects with products and commercialization roadmaps, especially in energy, quantum and human resource training.
Proposals were made at two thematic sessions on research, strategic technology development, human resources and application connection, technology transfer at the Vietnam - Russian Federation Science and Technology Forum: Strategic Technology Connection, September 9 in Moscow, organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Mr. Nguyen Phu Hung, Director of the Department of Science, Engineering and Technology - Ministry of Science and Technology, said that Vietnam's new approach is to take practical problems as a starting point, from which to identify core products and technologies that need to be mastered.
Vietnam has identified 10 strategic technology groups, 30 strategic technology product groups and 20 major problems and tasks. According to him, this list is not a destination but a tool to focus resources to solve major problems of ministries, branches and localities.
From there, he proposed three shifts in Vietnam-Russia cooperation: from a single topic to a project with products and a roadmap for commercialization; from mainly cooperation between institutes and schools to a model with businesses participating, investing and receiving from the beginning; and from general training to human resource training directly linked to technology projects.
Areas of cooperation mentioned include: nuclear energy, cybersecurity, AI, quantum technology, advanced materials, low-altitude satellites and aerospace. The goal for the period 2027-2030 is to bring products jointly developed by both sides to reach the ASEAN market.
Many proposals for cooperation between businesses, institutes and localities
A major cooperation project mentioned at the forum is the Nuclear Science and Technology Center in Dong Nai, with a research reactor with a capacity of 10-15 MW. Emphasizing that the center not only serves nuclear research and safety but also produces radioactive isotopes for medical use and researches silicon irradiation to create semiconductor materials, Dr. Tran Chi Thanh, Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, proposed to cooperate with Russian partners to develop the capacity to master the entire technology chain, from training, design, manufacturing, installation to operation, maintenance and repair.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam National Energy-Industry Group (PetroVietnam) proposed a direct application problem in industry: mastering metal 3D printing technology and materials for 3D printing. Mr. Phan Tu Giang, Deputy General Director of PetroVietnam, said the business wants to develop technology for manufacturing technical details with Russian partners, aiming for a "digital warehouse" model and production on demand. Design data is digitized, broken parts can be manufactured at or near the operation site, helping to reduce inventory and shorten supply times.
Mr. Giang proposed that the two sides jointly select specific industrial problems, coordinate design, simulation, optimize details, develop technology parameters, evaluate materials, heat treatment and non-destructive testing. After that, the products will be tested, standardized and certified before expanding their applications.
"PetroVietnam sees cooperation with the Russian Federation not simply as purchasing equipment, but as an opportunity to build long-term technological capacity," Mr. Giang said.
On the Russian side, Prof. Dr. Nikolai Rogalev, Rector of Moscow State University of Energy (MPEI), proposed a number of cooperation programs focusing on energy and human resources. Notable is the joint laboratory on smart energy systems and microgrids, researching distributed power, digital control, energy storage and renewable energy integration.
MPEI also proposed establishing a joint training department on nuclear power, and building a joint research center on small modular reactors (SMR) with Vietnamese institutes, schools and businesses.
In the field of new technology, Dr. Ekaterina Solntseva, Director in charge of Quantum Technology at Rosatom, proposed three directions for cooperation with Vietnam: building a quantum technology development roadmap suitable to domestic needs, implementing specific application projects and in-depth human resource training. According to her, cooperation should go from identifying needs to testing practical applications, and building a team to form long-term quantum technology capacity in Vietnam.
At the local level, Mr. Vladimir Mazur, Governor of Kaluga Province, proposed cooperation with Vietnam on new materials, nuclear medicine and high-tech agriculture. Kaluga is ready to coordinate technology transfer of composite materials, technical ceramics and radioactive isotope production for medical purposes.
Speaking in conclusion, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh evaluated the discussion session and proposed many noteworthy solutions, from cooperation on quantum computers, advanced materials, atomic energy, to strategic technology human resource training and technology transfer in the energy field.
He said that the Ministry of Science and Technology will review all proposals and initiatives at the forum and incorporate them into the Vietnam-Russian Federation science, technology and innovation cooperation strategy for the next phase.
"We will prioritize exchange programs, internships, co-mentoring graduate students, and create the most favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to access common research results," he said.
