Vietnam's Brain Drain in Basic Research Deepens, Highlighting Need for International Cooperation

The brain drain in Vietnam's basic scientific research sector continues to be a critical bottleneck, with top-performing students and leading researchers persistently seeking opportunities abroad. This phenomenon, observed over many years, sees bright minds leaving their homeland, with very few returning to contribute to domestic scientific advancement. AI analysis over the past two years confirms that this trend has not receded. While income is a factor, the primary reasons cited for this outward migration include an underdeveloped academic environment that fails to foster expertise, cumbersome administrative red tape, and a lack of modern laboratories. Crucially, the analysis emphasizes that respect for academic autonomy, scientific ethics, and broader intellectual values are more significant motivators than higher salaries for talented individuals choosing to leave. Drawing parallels with past instances where researchers returned to contribute to national scientific recovery despite lucrative offers abroad, experts note that Vietnam currently lacks the supportive ecosystem to encourage such returns. This situation is attributed to a stagnant educational and management system, creating an environment where talented individuals feel unsupported. In response, the Vietnamese government has affirmed its commitment to transitioning towards a knowledge-based economy, promoting breakthroughs in science, technology, and digital transformation. However, translating high-level political determination into effective action requires competence, courage, and a deep understanding of the context on the ground. There is a concern that buzzwords like "AI" and "innovation" may become empty slogans without concrete policy implementation. Two primary paths are suggested to address this challenge: prioritizing research excellence to gain international respect, and encouraging "brain circulation" through international cooperation to mitigate the losses from brain drain. The article highlights the success of a co-supervision doctoral model, where Vietnamese and foreign universities jointly mentor students. While this model fosters cooperation with prestigious foreign institutions, bureaucratic delays in awarding degrees and administrative hurdles continue to impede its full potential. Source: Translated from Tia Sang by Anh Thu