On the afternoon of 31 March 2026, the Seminar entitled “France-Vietnam Open Innovation: From Dialogue to Synergy” was held at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), with the participation of representatives from government agencies, businesses, experts and the academic community. The event was jointly organised by USTH, the Embassy of France in Vietnam, the French Institute and BK Holdings, with the aim of promoting the open innovation model while strengthening connections among universities-businesses-international organisations.
Among the attendees, representing the Embassy of France in Vietnam, was His Excellency Olivier Brochet, Ambassador of France to Vietnam. Representing the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) were Dr Nguyen Hoang Duong, Deputy Head of the Department for Technology Application and Deployment, and Dr Le Quynh Lien, Head of the Department of International Cooperation. Distinguished guests included Associate Professor Truong Ngoc Kiem, Director of the High-Tech Park and Innovation Centre at Vietnam National University, Hanoi and Vice Chairman of the Network of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centres of Universities and Colleges; Mr Pham Tuan Hiep, Investment Director of BK Holdings and Secretary General of the Hanoi Innovation and Startup Association. Representing USTH were Professor Jean-Marc Lavest, Principal Rector, and Professor Dinh Thi Mai Thanh, Rector, together with representatives from businesses, universities and partner organisations.
In recent years, within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and France, cooperation activities in science, technology and innovation between the two countries have been increasingly strengthened and expanded, with the active participation of public agencies, academic institutions and businesses. Against this backdrop, the Seminar “France-Vietnam Open Innovation: From Dialogue to Synergy” was organised to provide a comprehensive overview of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem, share experiences from French and Vietnamese partners, and foster connections among organisations, businesses and the academic community, with a view to developing concrete programmes of cooperation in research, education and technology transfer.
Addressing the event, His Excellency Olivier Brochet, Ambassador of France to Vietnam, expressed his pleasure at attending the programme and underscored the increasingly important role of science, technology and innovation in bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and France.
According to the French Ambassador, cooperation between Vietnam and France was elevated to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024 and has continued to be strengthened through the State visit of French President Emmanuel Macron in May 2025. As Vietnam enters a new phase of development and implements its strategic orientations on science, technology and innovation under Politburo Resolution No. 57, France aspires to serve as a leading strategic partner and to support Vietnam throughout this process.
The Ambassador affirmed that building an innovation ecosystem based on close links among public authorities, educational institutions and the business community represents a key development priority. He emphasised that this is also one of France’s distinctive strengths, which it stands ready to share and through which it seeks to foster deeper cooperation with Vietnam in the years ahead.
Commending the achievements attained by the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), the Ambassador paid particular tribute to the University’s role in advancing relations between Vietnam and France. According to him, USTH serves as an exemplary model and a symbolic embodiment of bilateral cooperation, while also serving as a benchmark institution of international stature. These achievements have been built upon the foundation of an ambitious cooperation programme, shaped by the Intergovernmental Agreement that was renewed for a further five years in 2025.
“USTH has successfully achieved a harmonious balance between excellence in scientific research and high-quality education, while effectively responding to the development needs of the local economy. This excellence is rooted in USTH’s status as an institution under VAST, which gives the University a distinctive position within Vietnam’s higher education system. This has been the key to its achievements to date and constitutes a solid guarantee for its future development,” he emphasised.
The French Ambassador affirmed that France stands ready to continue working alongside VAST to further develop USTH into a flagship cooperation project between the two countries.
Speaking at the Seminar, Professor Dinh Thi Mai Thanh, Rector of USTH, affirmed that since its establishment, USTH has remained steadfast in developing education and research programmes in cutting-edge fields of science and technology, while progressively building a learning and research environment in line with international standards.
According to Professor Dinh Thi Mai Thanh, innovation can only be effectively fostered and developed within an open ecosystem, where close linkages exist among the government, universities and businesses. Within this model, universities play a central role, generating knowledge while also serving as a bridge to transform that knowledge into values that benefit society.
For USTH, innovation is no longer a matter of choice but an imperative, and a key driver of sustainable development. Therefore, the University has made innovation activities and cooperation with industry a central pillar of its development strategy, alongside its missions of education and research.
She also stressed that Vietnam-France cooperation has not only laid the foundations for the establishment of USTH but has also helped shape the University’s identity and quality. Through its network of more than 30 leading French universities and research institutes, USTH has developed internationally accredited academic programmes, established strong research groups and joint laboratories, and gradually expanded its academic and innovation ecosystem.
Within the framework of the Seminar, experts, policymakers and business representatives shared insights and engaged in discussions on the design of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem, experiences in international cooperation, as well as models for connecting global knowledge with local development needs. One notable topic was the discussion session on Franco-Vietnamese innovation cooperation based on the “triple helix” model – the synergy between the Government, the University and businesses. This is regarded as a key driver of sustainable innovation, as resources, knowledge and practical demands are closely interconnected, creating extensive opportunities for research, technology transfer and the commercialisation of innovation outcomes.
The Seminar, entitled “France-Vietnam Open Innovation: From Dialogue to Synergy”, is expected to foster collaborative initiatives among stakeholders and contribute to the establishment and development of a sustainable innovation ecosystem. In this context, the role of science and technology higher education institutions such as USTH continues to be reaffirmed in advancing Vietnam’s scientific, technological and innovation capabilities.
Other photographs from the Seminar:
