Vietnam, RoK, Japan, Russia, France Boost Tech Cooperation

Vietnam is clearly strengthening cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation (DX) with key countries including South Korea, Japan, Russia, and France. This is a strategic move for Vietnam to enter a new phase of growth based on technological innovation, as it aims for a qualitative transformation of its economic development. Regarding relations with South Korea, strengthening ties between Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) is pointed out as a potential main pillar in shifting bilateral relations from quantitative expansion to qualitative development. The South Korean side urges the Vietnamese side to expand investment in priority areas such as infrastructure, semiconductors, large-scale AI data centers, energy, and seaports by Korean companies, and also requests favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to participate more deeply in South Korea's manufacturing supply chains. In cooperation with Japan, the Deputy Prime Minister advocated for cooperation through concrete projects related to science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Joint research, research and development (R&D), and the development of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem are cited as specific examples. Between Vietnam and Russia, it is said that there are favorable conditions to build a new phase of science and technology cooperation that is more substantive, selective, and strategically focused, leveraging decades of cooperation, mutual trust, and complementary strengths. In particular, Russia's advances in digital agriculture are opening up new opportunities for cooperation with Vietnam. Building on the success of the VNREDSat-1 satellite, cooperation with France continues towards the development of the next satellite, VNREDSat-2. This aims not only to develop a next-generation satellite but also to enhance Vietnam's level of participation and technological capabilities. Vietnam is promoting a strategy that links AI research and development with economy-wide transformation. Instead of retrofitting AI into existing products and processes, it is positioned as a core capability from problem identification through design, organization, and operations. Furthermore, it is recognized that the government needs to shift from providing funding to creating a more supportive environment, including the development of infrastructure, platforms, standards, and markets, and the coordination of the innovation ecosystem. In particular, the dissemination of AI, digital, and green technologies to SMEs and traditional sectors is emphasized. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam has expressed his intention to deepen cooperation with China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, especially in the AI field. The promotion of these international technological collaborations will be key for Vietnam to establish its position in global technological competition and achieve sustainable economic growth.