Vietnam Accelerates Tech, Energy Cooperation with France, Russia, Japan

Vietnam is accelerating cooperation in science, technology, energy, and digital sectors with international partners, including France, Russia, and Japan. These efforts are expected to serve as a key driver for Vietnam's new era of "prosperous and harmonious development." In its relations with France, the official visit by top leader To Lam is seen as significantly contributing to the special dynamics of bilateral ties and fostering shared commitments to international peace, security, and stability. In the field of satellite technology, building on the success of VNREDSat-1, cooperation is being discussed for the realization of VNREDSat-2, aiming to enhance Vietnam's technological capabilities. Expansion of joint research programs in strategic areas such as semiconductor integrated circuits, AI, batteries, and biotechnology is also proposed. With Russia, favorable conditions are in place to build a new phase of science and technology cooperation that is more substantive, selective, and strategically focused, based on decades of cooperation, mutual trust, and complementary strengths. Advances in digital farming in Russia, in particular, may open up new opportunities for cooperation with Vietnam. Regarding relations with Japan, promoting cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation through concrete projects such as joint research, R&D, and the development of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem has been proposed. Vietnam is promoting a strategy that links AI research and development to economy-wide transformation, positioning AI as a core capability from problem identification to design, organization, and operations. This approach aims for AI-driven transformation rather than retrofitting AI into existing products and processes. These enhanced international collaborations reflect Vietnam's state-led development strategy under its one-party system and its ambition to integrate global technological advancements to accelerate economic growth. Notably, interest in expanding cooperation in the AI field has also been expressed in its relations with China, indicating Vietnam's diplomatic stance of maximizing national interests while maintaining geopolitical balance. Former Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang expressed confidence that General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit will reaffirm the political determination underpinning Vietnam–France relations while creating fresh momentum to translate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into substantive and mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of fields. THelene Luc expressed her hope that the visit by General Secretary and President To Lam will lead to concrete actions, enabling bilateral ties to quickly enter a new stage of development across areas. According to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index for July 2026, Vietnam’s mobile Internet ranking jumped 10 places to 10th globally, with a median download speed of 205.58 Mbps. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung proposed expanding joint research programmes, particularly in strategic areas where Vietnam has development needs, and KIST has strengths, including semiconductor integrated circuits, AI, batteries and energy storage, and biotechnology. Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Nguyen Ky Son held working sessions with leaders of the Israeli Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Israel National Emergency Directorate (INCD), the Be’er Sheva Innovation District and the cyber security research centre at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU). The presence of a head of state is particularly significant given the geographical distance involved and the leaders’ demanding schedules, said Adam, a former Commander of the French Space Command, told the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the upcoming official visit to France by General Secretary and President Lam. In addition to streamlining processes and reducing the time required to complete administrative procedures, digital models are creating more opportunities for businesses, household enterprises and small traders to access information, adopt new payment methods, connect with partners and expand their markets. As global agriculture shifts towards data-driven production, automation and artificial intelligence (AI), Russia's advances in digital farming are opening up new opportunities for cooperation with Vietnam. The Deputy PM praised SK Group's investment record in Vietnam, saying its capabilities in finance, technology and management align with Vietnam's shift toward selective investment attraction in its new growth phase. Building on the effectiveness of VNREDSat-1, Vietnam and France are continuing to promote cooperation in the next phase, including a proposal for VNREDSat-2. The two sides have discussed technological options, resources and an implementation roadmap, with a view not only to developing a new-generation satellite but also to increasing Vietnam’s level of participation and technological capabilities. Vietnam and Japan should promote science and technology, innovation and digital transformation cooperation through concrete projects, including joint research, research and development (R&D), and development of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem, said Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau. With decades of cooperation, mutual trust and complementary strengths, Vietnam and Russia have favourable conditions to build a more substantive, selective and strategically focused new phase of science and technology cooperation. In Ho Chi Minh City, digital transformation in the legal profession is not simply about introducing more technology into professional practice. It must also create ways of working that ensure technology serves people, while lawyers retain control and responsibility for the quality of legal services. This is particularly important in a metropolis with a large-scale economy and diverse legal needs. During his visit to China and Guangxi in April, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam expressed a desire to further expand cooperation between Vietnam, particularly border localities, and Guangxi in areas including AI. To raise public and business awareness while improving the effectiveness of preventing and dealing with infringements, the Ministry of Science and Technology will continue working with other ministries, sectors and localities to strengthen intellectual property protection and enforcement on a regular, continuous and sustained basis, with no prohibited areas or exceptions. The Government should shift from providing funding to creating enabling conditions by developing infrastructure, platforms, standards and markets, while coordinating the innovation ecosystem. Innovation and technology diffusion should also go hand in hand, particularly by bringing AI, digital and green technologies to small- and medium-sized enterprises as well as traditional sectors. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tam, Chair of the Department of Computer Science, Data and Artificial Intelligence at IP Paris, said the Political Bureau’s Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW, which elevates overseas Vietnamese to one of the country's important strategic resources, should be translated into practical mechanisms for deeper participation of OVs in the country’s scientific and technological development, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). Science and technology, innovation and digital transformation are no longer merely long-term orientations but are increasingly becoming tools for addressing issues in State management, production, business and social life. Semiconductors are not entirely new to Vietnam. The drive among local engineers and researchers to master the technology dates back decades. The strategy pivots Vietnam toward AI research and development tied to economy-wide transformation. Instead of retrofitting AI into existing products and processes, the plan treats AI as a core capability from problem identification through design, organisation and operations. Since its establishment, the Digital Trust Alliance (DTA) has expanded its membership and activities, with hundreds of applications to join recorded in the first six months of 2026. It aims to establish Digital Trust Clubs in all 34 provinces and cities and bring together around 1,000 members nationwide. A development model based on productivity, knowledge and technology requires long-term capital, a skilled workforce, innovation capacity, technology absorption and incentives for long-term invest. Therefore, Vietnam’s greatest challenge is moving from cost-based advantages to ones based on productivity, technology and added value.