With the theme “Connecting Vietnamese intellectuals for national technological and innovation development”, the forum drew professors, researchers, technology experts, business executives and students from research institutes, universities and major technology corporations in Singapore.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh expressed appreciation for the initiative to bring together overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and experts in Singapore in order to tap into the country’s strengths in science, technology and innovation.

According to the ambassador, it is highly meaningful for overseas Vietnamese intellectuals in the island city state to share knowledge and work with institutions in Vietnam to make better use of scientific and technological expertise. He added that forums of this kind play an important role in the current context.

Ta Thuy Lien, Head of the Liaison Committee of the Vietnamese Community in Singapore and a representative of the organising committee, said the 2026 forum aimed to go beyond a conventional seminar by building a practical cooperation model with measurable results.

“This forum must become a platform for action, where we move beyond networking to truly become co-creators working alongside the country,” she went on.

The forum created a space for dialogue where participants received updates on demand for experts from Vietnamese agencies, research institutes, universities and businesses. Discussions also focused on core technology transfer and ways to address national challenges, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and quantum technology, biomedical technology, green materials, the circular economy and blockchain.

Sharing views on the concept of sovereignty in technology development, Professor Vu Minh Khuong of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy under the National University of Singapore (NUS) said sovereignty should go hand in hand with deep global integration.

Drawing from Singapore’s experience, he said sovereignty is reflected in deep integration with the world. In the context of rapid advances in cloud computing, AI and technology infrastructure, developing in isolation could leave countries disconnected from global ecosystems, he noted. He added that countries should integrate deeply into those ecosystems and become indispensable parts of them.

Participants said the forum served as a venue for academic exchange and scientific discussion, while also connecting Vietnamese intellectuals seeking to contribute knowledge, experience and international networks to Vietnam’s development.

Associate Professor. Dr Le Thi Nguyet Minh, programme director for postgraduate studies at the Department of Pharmacology and head of the Drug Delivery Unit at the Institute for Digital Medicine under the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS, shared her journey since arriving in Singapore in 2001. After initial challenges adapting to a new environment, she devoted 10 years to her first major project connected to Vietnam, translating the textbook “Molecular Biology of the Cell”.

She said her goal at the time was to bring scientific knowledge back to Vietnam, when biotechnology had yet to develop strongly even in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor. Dr Duong Minh Hai, who teaches and conducts research in engineering and advanced materials at NUS, encouraged younger generations to master core technologies if they want to contribute to the country’s development.

He said studying and gaining experience abroad are important, enabling overseas Vietnamese experts to return and contribute to the country when the country needs them.

The forum concluded with a common determination to move beyond simple networking within the overseas Vietnamese expert community in Singapore towards becoming partners in creating practical solutions for Vietnam, while helping Vietnamese knowledge networks reach further internationally.

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