Vietnam has promoted international integration in the field of science and technology to improve domestic research capability, reduce the technology gap between Vietnam and the world, improve technical infrastructure and strengthen the country's scientific and technological potential. The Prime Minister recently approved a plan to accelerate international integration in the field of science and technology. However, Vietnam is faced by both opportunities and challenges in this process.
Impressive results
In the recent period, the science and technology sector has achieved positive results and contributed significantly to the country's socioeconomic development.
Vietnam has promoted cooperation in the field of science and technology with nearly 70 countries, territories and international organizations. It has signed and is implementing more than 80 cooperation agreements in this field at the governmental and ministerial levels. Since 2000, more than 540 international cooperation agreements and contracts in the field of science and technology have been implemented at research and development (R&D) facilities; more than 400 research projects based on bilateral cooperation between Vietnamese and foreign scientific and technological organizations have been developed.
International integration in the field of science and technology is very important for Vietnam's socioeconomic development. The Ministry of Science and Technology is boosting bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of scientific research in order to deal with scientific and technological tasks at the international level, facilitate Vietnamese scientists' access to information about science and technology in the world, and help domestic businesses apply modern technologies to improve the quality and competitiveness of Vietnamese products.
The Ministry of Science and Technology is promoting cooperation with Russia, the US and Japan in the field of atomic energy development for peaceful purposes to serve the implementation of Vietnam's nuclear power program. Some developed countries are boosting cooperation with Vietnam in the field of science and technology and have proposed the establishment of laboratories and scientific centers in Vietnam and other countries.
In the coming period, the Ministry of Science and Technology will intensify cooperation with Vietnamese embassies and other representative offices of Vietnam in foreign countries, especially those operating in the field of science and technology.
Vietnam has taken active part in almost all cooperation activities in the field of science and technology in the region, especially cooperation programs/projects of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations). Through scientific and technological cooperation with ASEAN, many Vietnamese sci-tech officials have had a chance to exchange information, knowledge and experience with their colleagues from ASEAN and other regions. Many cooperation projects have been carried out in forms such as conferences, workshops, training courses, research and transfer of research results, R&D. Vietnam has quickly integrated into ASEAN in the field of science and technology. It has had significant contributions to the development of the whole region. Vietnam has been the host country for many important ASEAN events such as conferences, exhibitions and the annual meetings of some ASEAN organizations. Vietnam has proposed and implemented many cooperation projects/initiatives in the field of science and technology in ASEAN.
Challenges still ahead
Currently, the scientific and technological level of Vietnam is medium in the Southeast Asian region, equivalent to that of the Philippines, Indonesia, and a little lower than that of Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Compared with the world, Vietnam's science and technology remain at a low level despite some achievements it gained in the recent period. This more or less affects the national competitiveness and weakens the scientific and technological potential of the country.
The main reason is that investment in scientific research is still low although Vietnam, like many other countries in the world, spends two percent of total expenditure from the State budget on science and technology. In other countries, investment from society, i.e. not from the State budget, in science and technology is very large. Moreover, their GDP is high and so their State budget expenditure on science and technology is higher than that of Vietnam. Due to inadequate investment, Vietnam still lacks desired scientific and technological products.
To play well its role and fulfill the obligations of an ASEAN member and contribute to peace, stability and development in Southeast Asia, Vietnam will continue to integrate with other ASEAN members so as to improve its scientific and technological capabilities.
Cooperation with ASEAN will help Vietnam boost socioeconomic development and effectively utilize its resources to intensify scientific research and technological development./.
By Lien Co
