Young doctor who won 2 international awards recounts the shock on the first day he returned to Vietnam

He is also the author of 43 scientific articles published in international scientific journals, including 35 in the Q1 category.

The research focus of this PhD holder, born in 1990, is the development of atomic single-layer deposition (SALD) technology at atmospheric pressure. He successfully led the construction of the first SALD system in Vietnam. This was a major breakthrough, enabling the fabrication of nano-thin film materials at low temperatures and high speeds, without the use of vacuum chambers, with atomic single-layer precision, and reduced production costs.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong is also applying nanothin films in optoelectronic components, gas sensors, storage batteries, and protective coatings. In particular, self-reliance in developing high-tech equipment systems for nanothin film deposition not only saves billions of dong compared to importing commercial equipment but also opens up great opportunities for new research directions.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong holds one international patent; two outstanding international scientific research awards; and has published 43 scientific articles in international scientific journals.

After graduating from high school, the young man from Ha Tinh province, who had topped the entrance exam for the Department of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology (University of Technology - Vietnam National University , Hanoi ), received a state scholarship and began his study abroad journey at the age of 19.

He chose the National Academy of Applied Sciences of Lyon – a leading engineering school in France – to pursue his studies in Materials Science and graduated as the valedictorian of his class.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong said that one of the first challenges he faced during his early days studying abroad was the language barrier and the international academic environment. “Initially, keeping up with lectures, working in groups, writing reports, and communicating with lecturers and classmates was a significant challenge. To overcome this, I asked to share a dormitory with a French friend, increasing my interaction with international students. After about two years, I gradually caught up in foreign languages and finished my engineering and master's programs at the top of my class,” Huong recalled.

He always strived to improve his knowledge and skills in his field during his university studies, but initially, he had no clear direction about pursuing a professional scientific research career.

The turning point came during a six-month research internship at the IMEC Nanotechnology Research Center in Leuven, Belgium. In that professional scientific research environment, he gradually realized his passion for this field. Upon returning to France, he received a doctoral scholarship. At this time, he and his colleagues successfully developed the SALD system – a monolayer atomic deposition system at atmospheric pressure. His doctoral dissertation received the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award from the French Chemical Society.

“My most memorable and interesting experience was during my early days of scientific research. After graduating with a master's degree, my initial perception of scientific research was something incredibly complex. Unexpectedly, during the first three months, my main tasks were welding control signal wires, CNC milling, and building chemical vapor delivery systems… At the time, I was very concerned, but later I realized that my supervising professor wanted me to understand that experimental research requires proactive design and implementation of experimental systems,” Dr. Huong recounted.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong holds two outstanding international scientific research awards. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

After nine years of studying and working in France, in 2019, Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong surprised many by rejecting attractive offers, including long-term positions from several research institutions, to return to Vietnam.

“What motivated me to return was the thought that I must have ambitions and make a greater contribution to my homeland and community. I saw that the research force in the country was still not strong enough, even though Vietnamese people across the globe are very successful and have achieved many accomplishments abroad. I realized that if I want to change something, the best way is probably to start from within. Therefore, I returned to Vietnam,” Dr. Huong shared, adding that this was the most difficult decision of her life.

“It was a cultural and environmental shock for me. After a long time in France, receiving my full training abroad, I faced many difficulties upon returning, from somewhat complicated administrative procedures to limited facilities and equipment for research. The only thing that helped me stay calm and continue striving was the belief that choosing to return to my country to contribute was the right ideal, and that in the long run it would be valuable and meaningful,” Dr. Huong said.

Less than three years after returning to Vietnam, in early 2022, Dr. Huong and his research team at Phenikaa University completed the construction and operation of the first atomic single-layer deposition technology system at atmospheric pressure in the country, at a cost approximately five times lower than importing a commercial system. This is one of the most advanced nanotechnology fabrication technologies currently available. His work has been granted an international patent.

"The pressure, and also the driving force, that propels me forward in my research career is the desire to do something more useful and practical. The joy of discovering something new is truly special," said Dr. Huong.

Speaking about his plans for 2025, Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong said that he hopes to develop a stronger research group, a place where doctoral students, master's students, and undergraduates can come to receive support and opportunities for self-development, thereby contributing to the scientific community in general.

The Central Committee of the Youth Union has just announced the list of 10 Outstanding Young Vietnamese of 2024, which includes Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong. The awards ceremony for Outstanding Young Vietnamese of 2024 is scheduled to take place on the evening of March 23rd in Hanoi.