Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong (on the left) instructs students in the laboratory.
Study hard, work hard to serve the country.
Born in Nghèn town, now part of Can Lộc commune (Hà Tĩnh province), Hương showed outstanding abilities early on, passing the entrance exam to the specialized mathematics class at Vinh University's High School for the Gifted (Nghệ An). The rigorous learning environment and the dedicated guidance of his teachers laid a solid foundation for his scientific thinking. At 19, he received a scholarship and studied at the National Academy of Applied Sciences in Lyon (France), pursuing a degree in Materials Science and Nanotechnology. Through hard work and dedication, he consistently ranked among the top students in his class and graduated as valedictorian. Hương expressed: “For me, studying is not only for myself but also a responsibility to the nation and to the taxpayers who have invested in my pursuit of knowledge.”
Instead of choosing the safe option, he continued his research at a leading European nanotechnology center (located in Belgium). Starting with the smallest tasks in the laboratory, he gradually developed his own research identity, persistently pursuing his ideas. His most notable achievement was contributing to laying the foundation for atomic single-layer deposition systems at atmospheric pressure (SALD) – a research direction with significant scientific and practical value. His doctoral dissertation was awarded the distinction prize by the French Chemical Society.
In 2019, he joined Phenikaa University and led a project to build and design the first atmospheric-pressure atomic layer deposition machine in the country. With improvements, this technology can be applied in many other fields such as nano-coating for electronic components, solar cells, and even pharmaceuticals. Most importantly, this technology is suitable for the domestic economy and the cost is not too high.
Believe in young people.
For Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong, scientific research is a long and arduous journey, requiring unwavering dedication. That path has never been paved with roses. In the early days after returning to Vietnam, he faced countless challenges, especially building a laboratory almost from scratch. Fortunately, at Phenikaa University, he was given the opportunity to work in an open environment. Although the equipment cannot compare to laboratories in Europe, in return, he has companions and, more importantly, a feeling of being trusted.
Regarding the development of science in schools, Mr. Huong noted a major obstacle: schools lack initiative in technology. Modern equipment, once purchased, will eventually break down, and repairs are difficult due to a shortage of experts. Each time foreign experts are invited for repairs, it costs hundreds of millions of dong, yet they still don't understand the equipment's fundamentals. This leads to a fear of malfunction, and students are hesitant to approach the machines. "When this technology was brought to the country, I requested permission to design and manufacture the atomic deposition machine at atmospheric pressure myself. The total cost was approximately one billion dong. My colleagues and I worked diligently, found partners, assembled each part, and finally, the system is operational," Mr. Huong recalled.
Mr. Huong has always hoped to see more young, academically gifted people in the field of science and technology contribute to the development of the country's science. "Abroad, young scientists have better opportunities for development. But what about the country? A few individuals can hardly revitalize the science sector. To create a synergistic force, we need the contributions of hundreds of people with knowledge and skills to return and serve the country," Mr. Huong shared.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong has achieved many accomplishments in research with over 50 scientific publications, including more than 40 articles in prestigious international journals. He is a co-author of an international patent related to next-generation solar cell technology, and the author of a monograph published by Elsevier Publishing House - one of the largest scientific publishers globally. He has been awarded many prestigious prizes such as the Golden Globe Award in 2024; the title of Outstanding Young Vietnamese in 2025; and a Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Education Union in 2025 for outstanding achievements in research and technology transfer.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/nghien-cuu-khoa-hoc-doi-hoi-su-dan-than-ben-bi-post935759.html
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