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Delegates at the Vietnam–Austria High-Tech and Innovation Forum, Vienna, May 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Austria promote cooperation in high technology, innovation

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has outlined key areas for deepening cooperation between Vietnam and Austria, including the advancement of industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum technology, biotechnology, the establishment of research and development (R&D) centers, and workforce training programmes.

Delivering a virtual address at the Vietnam–Austria High-Tech and Innovation Forum, held in Vienna on May 16, Dung highlighted the need to strengthen innovation and digital transformation capabilities, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He also emphasized the importance of fostering public–private partnerships, developing green energy initiatives, and promoting startup incubation through innovation hubs.

The forum was jointly organized by Vietnam’s National Innovation Center (NIC), the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria, and the Austrian Federal Economic Chambers. It serves as a platform for dialogue on emerging technologies, innovation strategies, and digital transformation, aligned with Vietnam’s ambition to become a high-income country by 2045.

The event brought together major technology firms from both countries, including Austria’s TTTech, Infineon Technologies Austria, and Dynatrace, as well as Vietnam’s FPT, VNPT, Sovico, and Genetica, cited VNA.

The Deputy PM called on the Austrian government, universities, and research institutions to support Vietnamese students through scholarships, assist innovative startups, and contribute to building networks of experts and scientists for joint research and technological development.

He noted that after over 50 years of diplomatic relations, Vietnam and Austria have become significant trade partners in the ASEAN and European regions. This, he said, lays a strong foundation for further collaboration across various sectors in the future.

He also expressed his admiration for Austria’s achievements in core and foundational technologies, including quantum science, biotechnology, semiconductors, and AI.

“Vietnam identifies science, technology, and innovation as critical breakthroughs and drivers of growth, aiming to enhance productivity, quality, efficiency, and economic competitiveness,” he stated.

To this end, Vietnam is actively addressing institutional challenges, investing in infrastructure, and focusing on human resource development. These efforts are intended to meet the country’s evolving development needs, promote digital transformation across all sectors, and strengthen international cooperation, he added.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang underscored Vietnam’s growing potential as a high-tech economy. Citing the Politburo's Resolution 57/NQ-TW, he noted the country’s strategic focus on AI, big data, semiconductors, microchips, automation, biotechnology, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G/6G technologies.

“With a population of over 100 million, a young and tech-savvy workforce, and a strategic position as a gateway to Southeast Asia, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for global technology corporations,” the ambassador said.

Austrian Ambassador to Vietnam Philipp Agathonos and representatives of Austria’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism also extended their congratulations on the forum’s success and reaffirmed Austria’s strong commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in high technology and innovation.

Norway hails Vietnam’s continued emphasis on upholding international law

At a ceremony on celebration of the 211st anniversary of Norway's Constitution Day that took place in Hanoi on Friday, Solbakken suggested that Vietnam and Norway should seek solutions based on international law and shared desire for a peaceful, just and more sustainable future.

"We greatly value the strong cooperation we have with Vietnam to find solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges, including combating climate change and ensuring clean and healthy oceans. I am proud to say that our cooperation in these areas continues to deepen", she shared.

Vietnam and Norway work together for a green energy transition, through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and increasingly in green shipping. Joint efforts for a more circular economy are showing promise for better waste management systems, benefiting both people and the planet. Cooperation to develop sustainable marine aquaculture holds potential for jobs as well as food security.

"Norway and Vietnam are both open economies, greatly dependent on trade. Norway is a strong supporter of open markets and rules-based trade, and we hope to move forward this year on a free trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries (including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and Vietnam", told the diplomat.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said, Vietnam and Norway are both peace-loving countries, striving to achieve sustainable development goals in line with protecting natural environment and ensuring social welfare for all citizens, thereby contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, and prosperity in their respective regions and around the world, according to VGP.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (L) and Norwegian Ambassador to Viet Nam Hilde Solbakken at the ceremony, Ha Noi, May 16, 2025. Photo: VGP/Thuy Dung

The two nations share several development priorities in areas such as renewable energy, the marine economy, science and technology, innovation, green and circular economic development, and the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

"Only through promoting the development of science and technology, enhancing close international cooperation, and fully harnessing the potential of each country, we can together achieve the above sustainable development goals," the Deputy Minister shared.

According to the diplomat, Vietnam is Norway's second-largest trading partner in ASEAN (behind Singapore). The two-way trade turnover exceeded US$450 million in 2024, with Norway's seafood exports to Vietnam reaching over US$250 million, an increase of 16 percent against the previous year.

Senior leaders of both countries have expressed support for the early conclusion of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA bloc and Vietnam, aiming to connect Vietnam's market of over 100 million people with the EFTA.

Currently, Norway has 56 direct investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of nearly US$200 million, ranking 40th out of 149 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian nation.

To further unlock significant untapped potential, the two countries are actively working together to develop a new cooperation framework in the fields of sustainable marine economy and renewable energy, noted the Deputy Minister.

Vietnam explores agricultural partnerships in Germany

A delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), led by Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, is paying a five-day working visit to Germany from May 14–18 to explore cooperative opportunities in the agricultural sector.

During the trip, the delegation held working sessions with several key German institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Agribusiness Alliance (GAA), the German Agricultural Society (DLG), the President of the Thuringia State Parliament, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, as well as other ministries and agencies involved in the field of agriculture.

A major highlight of the visit was a trade promotion forum on Vietnam–Germany agro-forestry-aquatic products, which attracted participation from various trade associations, vocational training institutions, German distribution channels, supermarket chains, and nearly 50 companies specialising in the production, processing, and logistics of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products.

At the forum, Vietnamese and German associations and businesses actively exchanged insights on market demands, consumer preferences, and import-export regulations. They also shared experience in exporting fruits, agricultural goods, seafood, and meat products to German supermarket chains. Participants called for closer cooperation between government agencies to facilitate market access and enhance agricultural collaboration, particularly for priority products that meet both countries' market needs.

In his remarks at the event, Deputy Minister Nam highlighted the economic and agricultural trade achievements of both countries. He emphasised the significant potential for cooperation in food safety across the production chain, vocational training linked with practical application, as well as digital transformation and mechanisation in agriculture, VNA reported.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam (front line, in a red tie) takes a photo with representatives of German associations and businesses at the event. (Photo: VNA)

He proposed that German associations should organise annual activities to connect German and Vietnamese businesses, promoting and expanding markets for German products. Vietnamese associations and enterprises, in turn, should collaborate with their German counterparts to participate in trade promotion events such as fairs, exhibitions, and market research initiatives to enhance Vietnam’s agricultural exports.

Nam also stressed the need for agricultural associations in both countries to establish partnerships and form supply chain-based business groups. This would ensure compliance with value chain standards, reduce logistics costs, and maintain product quality from production to consumption, he stated.

Additionally, he encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to form joint ventures with German companies in production and processing to meet regulatory requirements and consumer preferences. This would facilitate exports through German distribution networks and reach the Vietnamese business community in Germany.

Vietnamese Ambassador Vu Quang Minh emphasised the importance of the event, particularly in the context of global challenges disrupting trade and economic cooperation. He underlined the need to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in agriculture, fisheries, and environmental sectors — areas of strategic importance to both nations.

He noted that the complementary nature of Vietnam’s and Germany’s economies presents a significant advantage for boosting bilateral trade, enabling both sides to leverage their respective market strengths and improve resilience in the face of global economic uncertainties.

Dr. Per Brodersen, Director of the GAA, stated that German–Vietnamese agricultural cooperation is entering a new phase, offering vast potential in productivity, efficiency, exports, and value addition. He noted that the working session between the MAE and BMEL has opened up many new opportunities for collaboration, especially in the agri-food sector

While there, the delegation also held additional working sessions in Erfurt (Thuringia state) and Frankfurt (Hessen state), engaging with various agencies focused on agricultural cooperation and vocational training. Notably, the MAE signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Erfurt Vocational Education and Training Centre in Thuringia.

Vietnamese students win first prize at Codeavour 6.0 International in Qatar

Two primary students of Ho Chi Minh City clinched the first prize in the elementary group category with the project “Smart Flood Resistant House”, while three secondary students of Thai Nguyen province took the consolation prize in the senior group category with the project “Smart Traffic System.”

Codeavour is the biggest international competition where participants make innovative projects with hands-on learning using PictoBlox to make the world a better place. It is organised by STEMpedia (USA), under the patronage of the AI & Robotics Technology Center - IHub @ IISc under India’s Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Worlddidac Association for International Education.

To participate in Codeavour, teams must apply programming, robotics, and AI knowledge to develop projects that offer solutions to real-world problems. Teams then present their projects directly to the jury in English, cited VOV.

Presenting project “Smart Flood Resistant House”, two students of Ho Chi Minh City bring home first prize at Codeavour 6.0 International in Qatar.

This year’s Codeavour 6.0 attracted competitors from 18 countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Jordan, Nepal, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, and others.

The Vietnamese delegation competed in three categories: primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary levels. This is the first time they have participated in the competition.

Gov’t proposes to relax conditions for acquiring Vietnamese nationality

The Government on Saturday submitted a draft law to the National Assembly proposing amendments to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality.

Firstly, the draft proposes to relax the conditions for acquiring Vietnamese nationality in order to facilitate cases where individuals whose fathers or mothers, or paternal/maternal grandparents, are Vietnamese citizens, and to allow foreign investors, scientists, and experts to obtain Vietnamese nationality more easily.

Secondly, it proposes to relax the conditions for regaining Vietnamese nationality, aiming to create favorable conditions for individuals who have lost their Vietnamese nationality to be able to regain it.

In light of the new demands arising from the country's development, and to better meet the legitimate aspirations of overseas Vietnamese wishing to acquire or restore Vietnamese nationality—while also continuing to attract, support, and encourage overseas Vietnamese, including leading experts and scientists in various fields, to contribute to the national development—the amendment and supplementation of certain provisions of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality is necessary, VGP reported.

Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh presents the draft law to the National Assembly proposing amendments to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality, Ha Noi, May 17, 2025. Photo: VGP

The draft stipulates that minors applying for Vietnamese nationality through their father or mother, or minors who have a father or mother who is a Vietnamese citizen, will not be required to meet the condition of "having full civil act capacity."

The draft also provides that individuals applying for Vietnamese nationality who have relatives that are Vietnamese citizens may retain their foreign nationality if they meet certain conditions and are granted permission by the President.

Several other provisions have also been amended and supplemented to facilitate the acquisition of Vietnamese nationality by foreign investors, scientists, and experts, with the aim of attracting high-quality human resources.

According to the Ministry of Justice, in 2024, there were a total of 3,592 applications and cases nationwide related to acquiring, restoring, or verifying Vietnamese nationality, including 10 applications for acquiring nationality, 54 applications for restoring Vietnamese nationality, and 3,528 responses to nationality verification requests.

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