VinFuture Prize's 5-year journey: Unforgettable memories amid the Covid-19 pandemic

In 2025, VinFuture will be 5 years old. Although still young, the prize has become a global symbol of science for humanity, where knowledge is linked to the mission of serving humanity.

The seeds for VinFuture's current position were sown in the very first season, when Vietnam wrote an extraordinary story of national character and aspiration to reach new heights in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

When faith conquers fear

In late 2021 and early 2022, when the world was still reeling from the Covid-19 wave, the stages honoring the great knowledge of humanity, such as the Nobel Prize, were forced to be held online. But in Vietnam, something that seemed impossible happened: the VinFuture Prize was held live in Hanoi, with the presence of hundreds of international scientists , guests and artists.

Dr. Katalin Karikó, Prof. Drew Weissman and Prof. Pieter R. Cullis - the outstanding scientists behind the mRNA vaccine technology against Covid-19 and also the first VinFuture Grand Prize Winners - spoke at the discussion on "The Future of Global Health", held in January 2022. Photo: VFP

It is a bold decision, demonstrating the aspiration to realize the mission of building a bright future, where science and technology serve people, promote positive change, and create a fairer and more sustainable world . And if knowledge is the torch that lights the way for humanity, then VinFuture wants to light that torch from the dark night of the pandemic.

But at that time, VinFuture was still a completely new name on the world science map. No reputation, no precedent, and in the midst of a pandemic, convincing the world's leading minds to participate in the award, as well as come to Vietnam, seemed impossible.

“In the world, many people who know about Vietnam only remember the war. They do not know that Vietnam has developed a lot,” shared Prof. Nguyen Thuc Quyen, Chairman of the Preliminary Council, Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (USA), top 1% of the world’s most cited scientists.

Professor Nguyen Thuc Quyen and Professor Richard Henry Friend, Chairman of the Award Council and winner of the 2010 Millennium Technology Award, at that time received many emails from scientists to verify the reputation of VinFuture.

“At first, many people wondered whether a young award from Vietnam could reach the world,” said the “big tree” of the global scientific community.

And to turn the vague into certainty, in the year since VinFuture announced its launch, hundreds of emails were sent, and online meetings were arranged. The staff of the Prize Council and VinFuture Foundation had to work day and night to connect with scientists. The enthusiasm, dedication and aspiration to build an award to serve humanity brought positive responses.

“VinFuture is truly unique in its philosophy: to honor inventions that have changed and revolutionized the way we live. This is a very special idea, a prize of special significance, and that is why I am so excited to join the Prize Council,” said Prof. Konstantin Novoselov, member of the VinFuture Prize Council and 2010 Nobel Prize winner in Physics.

In its first season, the VinFuture Prize received 599 nominations from more than 60 countries on 6 continents. Of these, nearly 100 were from scientists in the top 2% most cited in the world. However, these impressive numbers are just the start of a difficult race, especially when the Covid-19 “storm” casts a shadow over the world.

The moment "the whole world converges in Hanoi "

In Vietnam, 2021 is the fourth period of the Covid-19 pandemic. Borders are closed, commercial flights are suspended, quarantine regulations remain strict, including restrictions on contact and crowded events. All of these are major barriers for VinFuture to hold an award ceremony honoring science in person in the heart of Hanoi.

However, with the organization and risk control capacity of the entire system, Vingroup brought an unforgettable VinFuture Science and Technology Week and Award Ceremony. Member companies in the group, from Vinmec, Vinpearl, Vinhomes… were mobilized to participate to ensure the highest safety standards for all attendees.

To this day, the trip to Vietnam to receive the award five years ago still leaves a deep impression on Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim. According to her, the strict but humane epidemic prevention process at that time was a testament to the hospitality and respect that Vietnam and VinFuture have for science.

“We were tested every day, we followed social distancing, but everything was very well organized,” recalls the renowned South African scientist, co-winner of the 2021 VinFuture Special Prize for Scientists from Developing Countries.

In parallel, the first VinFuture stage was also prepared with dedication and attention to every small detail. Through that, the Award not only honors science but also promotes the image of the country, culture and people of Vietnam.

Bouquets of lotus flowers representing Vietnamese culture were presented by the two founders of the VinFuture Foundation - Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong, Chairman of Vingroup, and his wife, Ms. Pham Thu Huong - to the members of the VinFuture Award Council and Preliminary Council at the first VinFuture Award Ceremony held on the evening of January 20, 2022 at the Opera House. Photo: VFP

Meritorious Artist Linh Nga in ao dai and conical hat performed the "Lotus" dance imbued with Vietnamese identity; People's Artist Dang Thai Son - the world's leading pianist - performed the Northern folk song "Trong Com" on piano. Legendary singer John Legend inspired with hits carrying messages of love, of a peaceful world, equality, and no more discrimination.

Each gift for the award winner also contains a humane story. Lotus flowers are transported by plane from Dong Thap in the cold winter days of Hanoi. Portraits on Do paper - a traditional material of the ancient craft village - are created specifically for each scientist.

During the inaugural awards ceremony, the Grand Prize was awarded to scientists who later received the Nobel Prize for their discoveries in mRNA vaccine technology against Covid-19. According to Professor Richard Henry Friend, meeting and honoring Dr. Katalin Karikó, Professor Drew Weissman (USA) and Professor Pieter Cullis (Canada) - heroes who have saved billions of lives around the world - right in the middle of the pandemic was an unforgettable experience.

“At the award ceremony, I felt like the moment the whole world came together, spreading hope and opening up new opportunities,” Professor Friend could not hide his emotion.

Today, VinFuture has become a prestigious and influential science award globally. Looking back over the past 5 years, and especially the first award ceremony, it can be seen that VinFuture has not only contributed to affirming Vietnam's new position, but also conveyed a strong message about the belief, aspiration and responsibility of Vietnamese people in joining hands to solve global challenges.

Anh Thu

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/hanh-trinh-5-nam-giai-thuong-vinfuture-ky-uc-khong-quen-giua-dai-dich-covid-19-2459325.html