At the event, Prof. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST, highlighted the meeting as an opportunity for both sides to review key collaborative achievements across various fields, including fundamental sciences, marine environment, energy, artificial intelligence, and space technology. He emphasised the success of joint training models between the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), VAST-affiliated research institutes, and French universities.

USTH Council President and VAST Vice President, Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha praised the continued support of French partners in the development of USTH. He proposed that future cooperation focus on key priorities such as strengthening training-research linkages; advancing the “training through research” model, especially at the postgraduate level; and further connecting USTH with VAST’s research institutes. He also suggested maintaining and expanding international science schools in collaboration with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and other partners, aiming to establish joint laboratories in multiple fields. Moreover, both sides should promote applied research and technology transfer, and pilot trilateral cooperation models linking research institutes, universities, and enterprises from both countries to commercialise joint research outcomes, he added.

Prof. Antoine Petit, President and CEO of France's National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), said the meeting comes at a time when the two countries are implementing the Vietnam–France Action Plan for 2024–2028, with the aim of effectively realising their comprehensive strategic partnership in the era of innovation and sustainable development. French research institutes and leading universities reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside VAST to ensure the effective implementation of this plan.

Several new cooperation agreements were signed during the meeting, underscoring both sides’ determination to diversify cooperation areas, expand partnerships, and deepen cooperation mechanisms. The goal is to develop strategic joint programmes in science, technology, and human resources training between Vietnam and France.

Earlier the same day, French President Macron held a dialogue with USTH’s students and faculty members. The event demonstrated the French Government’s strong commitment to supporting the development of USTH as a symbol of Franco–Vietnamese cooperation in education and science.

Vietnam, France sign MoU to strengthen railway cooperation

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy had a working session in Hanoi on May 27 with Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD) Rémy Rioux and representatives of the European Union Delegation in Vietnam to discuss cooperation in transport and construction, within the framework of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Vietnam.