Professor who won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics: Science needs a free and trusting environment to be innovative.

On the morning of October 7th, at the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE, Quy Hoa Valley, Quy Nhon Nam Ward, Gia Lai Province), Professor Serge Haroche, winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics, along with his wife and many scientists from 14 countries, attended the opening ceremony of the international conference "100 Years of Quantum Physics".

Báo Sài Gòn Giải phóng•07/10/2025

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor Serge Haroche emphasized that quantum physics, though a century old, has fundamentally changed human life, paving the way for a series of groundbreaking inventions such as computers, lasers, GPS, mobile phones, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Leaders of Gia Lai province presented flowers to Professor Serge Haroche and his wife.

"Without knowledge of the microscopic world of atoms, molecules, and photons, these inventions would not have been possible. This knowledge stems from fundamental research, nurtured by human curiosity," Professor Haroche said.

According to Professor Haroche, basic research is the foundation for all of humanity's technological progress, but initially most scientists did not set any specific practical goals, but were simply driven by curiosity to understand and explore the natural world. This is a special, highly humane aspect that allows human science to continue making new strides and producing many meaningful discoveries.

Professor Serge Haroche, winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics, speaks at the event.

Basic science is fertile ground for applications to flourish, often in completely unexpected ways. Basic science and technological progress can only develop in parallel and combine harmoniously.
Professor Serge Haroche, winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics.

A leading French quantum physicist argued that for science to develop effectively, a free and trustworthy environment is needed, where researchers are encouraged to pursue their imagination and creativity. Only when fundamental discoveries are made can people think about practical applications.

Professor Serge Haroche and his colleagues plant and water trees in the Nobel Garden at the ICISE Center.

Professor Serge Haroche and representatives pose for a commemorative photo in the Nobel Garden at the ICISE Center.

Sharing his impressions of his visit to Vietnam, Professor Haroche said that he noticed the Vietnamese government's particular interest in developing quantum technology as part of its strategy to promote the knowledge economy.

"Vietnam has a large, young, studious, and inquisitive workforce. A good education system, coupled with long-term investment in basic research, will be key to Vietnam's sustainable development in the field of science," said Professor Haroche.

Professors and leaders from Gia Lai province visited the science space at the ICISE Center.

The 2012 Nobel laureate also emphasized the role of international cooperation in a global scientific landscape affected by geopolitical tensions and the spread of anti-scientific viewpoints.

Besides Professor Haroche, the international conference "100 Years of Quantum Physics" brought together 80 professors and scientists from 14 countries. Among them were many leading speakers from around the world, such as: Professor Hans Bachor (Australia), Professor John Doyle (Harvard, USA), Professor Alberto Bramati (France – Singapore), Professor Michel Brune (France), Professor Arno Rauschenbeutel and Professor Vahid Sandoghdar (Germany), Professor Claude Weisbuch and Dr. Michele Leduc (France)…

Professor Tran Thanh Van delivered a welcoming speech at the opening ceremony.

The workshop attracted hundreds of young scientists, researchers, and students from both Vietnam and abroad.

The conference featured over 40 scientific papers, focusing on topics such as quantum optics, quantum communication and computing, and research directions intersecting condensed matter physics, atomic physics, chemistry, and applied quantum technology…

The conference marks a century of development in quantum physics, a field that has transformed human understanding and ushered in the era of quantum technology with many groundbreaking applications in modern life.

At the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan presented flowers to congratulate Professor Tran Thanh Van and Professor Le Kim Ngoc, who had just been awarded the Legion of Honor, Officer rank, by the President of France. Provincial leaders also greeted and presented flowers to welcome the couple, the recipients of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics, to the conference.

Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan presents flowers to congratulate Professor Tran Thanh Van and his wife.

Quantum science is a bold breakthrough.

Professor Nguyen Quang Liem, President of the Vietnam Physical Society, believes that quantum science is a bold turning point, moving away from classical thinking, emerging at the beginning of the 20th century with groundbreaking contributions from scientists such as Einstein, Bohr, Heisenberg, and Schrödinger… From here, it laid the foundation for modern technologies such as semiconductors, lasers, and quantum computers.

Professor Nguyen Quang Liem, President of the Vietnam Physics Society, delivered a speech.

According to the President of the Vietnam Physical Society, Resolution 57 of the Politburo, recently issued, will create new momentum to promote the development of science and technology, especially quantum research, contributing to the training and nurturing of a new generation of young Vietnamese scientists.

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