During his first official visit and working meeting with the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) since taking up his post in Vietnam in October 2026, H.E. Didier Le Bret, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Viet Nam, reaffirmed that USTH remains a key priority in Vietnam–France cooperation, particularly as the two countries seek to strengthen collaboration in science, technology and education. He also expressed his strong support for the University’s development orientations and strategic goals in the coming years.
The meeting was attended, on behalf of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), by Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha, Vice President of VAST and Chairman of the USTH University Council. Representing USTH were Prof. Dr. Dinh Thi Mai Thanh, Rector of USTH; Vice Rectors Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hai Dang and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Phong; leaders of several University departments and divisions; and French scientists currently teaching and conducting research at USTH.
The French Embassy delegation included H.E. Didier Le Bret, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Viet Nam; Ms. Marie Keller, First Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission; Mr. Denis Fourmeau, Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation; and Mr. Adrien Benoist, Economic Attaché. Also attending was Dr. Sylvain Ouillon, Representative of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) in Vietnam and the Philippines.
USTH strategic development priorities
At the meeting, Prof. Chu Hoang Ha expressed his pleasure at welcoming H.E. Didier Le Bret on his first visit to USTH since taking up his post as French Ambassador to Vietnam. He expressed his appreciation for the continued support of the French Government, the French Embassy, and French partners throughout USTH’s development since its establishment in 2009 under the Intergovernmental Agreement between Vietnam and France.
Prof. Chu Hoang Ha expressed his hope that Ambassador Didier Le Bret would continue to support the University in pursuing its development goals, particularly as USTH prepares to enter a new phase of development with the completion and operation of its new campus at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park.
Speaking about USTH’s development strategy for 2027–2035, Prof. Chu Hoang Ha outlined several key priorities. These include further enhancing the quality of the internationally accredited academic programs; increasing the student population to 10,000 by 2035, with international students accounting for 5%; strengthening research capacity in science and technology; and developing international laboratories and research groups through a tripartite collaboration model involving USTH, VAST research institutes and French partners. Through these efforts, USTH aims to strengthen its position in Vietnam’s higher education system and across the region and internationally.
USTH also plans to develop academic programmes in strategic technology fields that align with France’s strengths and Vietnam’s development priorities, as well as the growing demand for highly skilled professionals. Priority areas include energy, particularly nuclear energy; smart mobility, with a focus on high-speed rail and urban transport systems; artificial intelligence, big data, and information security, including post-quantum cryptography; advanced materials, particularly semiconductor materials; and medicine and pharmaceutical sciences.
Prof. Chu Hoang Ha also expressed his hope that the French Embassy and Ambassador Didier Le Bret would help connect USTH with French and European companies operating in Vietnam, creating more opportunities for students to undertake internships and access future career prospects.
He further emphasised that expanding the student population and investing in infrastructure must be accompanied by enhanced university governance and management capacity. In this context, he expressed his hope that the French Embassy would facilitate exchanges with French universities, enabling USTH to learn from their expertise and experience in managing and operating modern, large-scale higher education and research institutions. Such exchanges would be particularly valuable as USTH prepares to operate its new campus in Hoa Lac.
French Embassy affirms USTH’s central role in science, technology and education cooperation between France and Vietnam
Commending USTH’s achievements and future development plans, Ambassador Didier Le Bret described the University as an important pillar of France–Vietnam cooperation, particularly as the two countries seek to deepen their partnership in science, technology and education. He affirmed that, like his predecessors, he would give USTH particular attention and remain committed to supporting the University’s development in the years ahead.
According to Ambassador Didier Le Bret, Vietnam is steadily transitioning towards a knowledge-based economy, with an increasing focus on sectors that rely on scientific and technological advances and generate high added value. The country is also seeking to deepen its integration into global value chains, creating growing demand for highly skilled professionals in science, technology and innovation.
In this context, cooperation in science and technology, innovation and human resource development has become a key priority in the high-level dialogue between Vietnam and France. He highlighted emerging opportunities for bilateral cooperation in strategic fields such as space technology, quantum technologies, critical minerals and rare earth elements.
Reflecting USTH’s distinctive strengths, Ambassador Didier Le Bret noted that the University had built a strong foundation through many years of cooperation between the two countries. One of its key assets is the USTH Consortium, a network of nearly 30 French higher education and research institutions. The University’s alumni network, comprising graduates who have studied at USTH and experienced its distinctive learning environment, including those who now live in France and elsewhere in Europe, is another valuable asset and a source of pride for USTH.
According to the Ambassador, USTH’s academic and research fields offered considerable potential and were closely aligned with the economic and industrial development priorities of both Vietnam and France. This alignment provides a favorable condition for USTH to strengthen its partnerships with French research organisations, universities and businesses.
The Ambassador also described USTH’s ambition to expand its student population to 10,000 by 2035 as a major undertaking that, if achieved, would lay a solid foundation for the University’s long-term sustainable development. He expressed confidence that USTH would achieve this goal, citing its established reputation, dynamic growth, increasingly broad and deep cooperation with French partners, and the continued support of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST).
At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Didier Le Bret toured USTH’s facilities, laboratories and learning spaces to gain further insight into the University’s teaching and research environment.
Sharing his impressions, he said this was his first visit to USTH and expressed his appreciation for its modern, well-equipped facilities. He was particularly impressed by the new campus in Hoa Lac, whose architectural design resembles some of the most modern university campuses in France. With a smile, he said the visit made him wish he could become a student again and study at USTH.
Ambassador Didier Le Bret’s visit and working meeting at USTH demonstrated the strong commitment of the French Government, the French Embassy and French partners to the University’s development. This engagement provides a favourable foundation for USTH to further build on Vietnam–France cooperation and strengthen its role as a bridge for knowledge exchange, scientific and technological collaboration, and innovation; a place where future generations of science and technology talent are nurtured, and young Vietnamese people are given a springboard to the world; and an increasingly trusted destination for students from France and around the world.
