Vietnam - EU elevates education and innovation cooperation: Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe open up a sustainable digital future

“Cooperation in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation (ST&DT) is not only a pillar in the comprehensive relationship between Vietnam and the EU, but also the foundation for Vietnam to soon become an “official associate country” in Horizon Europe, expanding the knowledge bridge and developing technological capacity, towards a creative, sustainable and inclusive digital future”, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy emphasized at the Conference on the Erasmus+ Program and Horizon Europe 2025, taking place on November 3, 2025 in Hanoi.

This is the first time that two key EU programs - Erasmus+ (on education and training) and Horizon Europe (on research and innovation) are organized within the same framework to promote cooperation in education, research and innovation between Vietnam and the EU.

The event gathered more than 300 representatives from 100 Vietnamese universities, 65 European universities, along with many research institutes, technology enterprises and development organizations.

Overview of the Conference.

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Mr. Rafael de Bustamante, Acting Representative of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, affirmed that the EU considers Vietnam a strategic partner in the region and an important partner in the field of education, one of the top priorities in the Global Gateway Strategy. In addition to the 40 million euro investment from the EU, France and Germany also pledged to contribute an additional 10 million euros, bringing the total investment of Team Europe for vocational education in Vietnam to 50 million euros in the near future, demonstrating a strong commitment to accompany Vietnam in building high-quality human resources, serving the development of a knowledge-based economy and sustainable growth.

Mr. Rafael de Bustamante said that there are currently more than 150 cooperation projects between the two sides in the fields of education, science and technology. The Vietnamese research community has participated in 19 international projects on technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, green technology and biomedicine, reflecting Vietnam's increasingly active role in the global knowledge ecosystem.

Mr. Rafael de Bustamante, Ad Hoc Representative of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, delivered the opening speech at the Festival.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy affirmed that science and technology, innovation and digital transformation are the pillars in the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU. The Deputy Minister expressed his hope that Vietnam will soon become an "officially associated country" within the Horizon Europe framework, thereby expanding the knowledge bridge, research cooperation and technological capacity.

According to Deputy Minister Bui The Duy, Vietnam - EU cooperation has recently become one of the important pillars of the Vietnam - EU Comprehensive Partnership, with outstanding results such as: 19 research missions in the Horizon Europe program on the fields of green transformation, digital, biomedicine and artificial intelligence; more than 3,700 Vietnamese students and lecturers participating in Erasmus+; the Team Europe program worth 50 million euros is about to be implemented, supporting the development of digital skills and green skills in vocational training.

Deputy Minister Bui The Duy affirmed that these cooperations are completely consistent with the orientation of Resolution 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, national innovation and digital transformation, which are identified as the central driving force for national development.

Vietnam is currently focusing on developing 11 strategic technologies and 35 key products such as AI, semiconductors, quantum, 5G/6G, cyber security and green technology; at the same time, building an innovation ecosystem connecting "three houses": State - Scientists - Businesses, with the EU as the leading strategic partner.

With a shared vision of development based on knowledge, data and people, Vietnam and the EU are working together to promote the signing of a Letter of Intent on Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation, opening a framework for cooperation in research, knowledge transfer and high-quality human resource development. Deputy Minister Bui The Duy expressed his belief that the connection between Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe will not only be a bridge between education and research, but also a foundation for both sides to jointly create a more creative, sustainable and inclusive digital future.

On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - EU diplomatic relations, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy emphasized that bilateral cooperation has gone beyond the framework of knowledge sharing, moving towards jointly building science and technology, innovation and digital transformation capacity - key factors towards green development, knowledge economy and common prosperity.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy spoke at the Conference.

At the event, delegates highly appreciated the effectiveness of cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in the field of higher education, especially through the Erasmus+ program.

Ms. Vu Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Erasmus+ Project Manager, EU Delegation to Vietnam, said that Vietnam is currently leading Asia in the number of cooperation projects to develop higher education capacity with 22 projects and 89 universities and research institutes participating, surpassing both Indonesia and India.

Representative of the Ministry of Education and Training, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation, affirmed that the Erasmus+ program has made an important contribution to the internationalization of Vietnamese higher education, expanding learning and research opportunities for students and lecturers. Currently, Vietnam has more than 423 international training cooperation programs, of which half are in cooperation with European educational institutions; more than 4,000 students and lecturers have participated in Erasmus+, in 2025 alone, 44 candidates won Erasmus Mundus master's scholarships.

The European Education Week 2025, taking place within the framework of the "Plug in to Evolution" campaign, is a key initiative under the EU's Global Gateway strategy, aiming to promote skills, green transformation and sustainable cooperation through a series of creative activities for the young generation. The event is not only a bridge between Vietnamese students and European universities, but also spreads the spirit of learning, creativity, and together creates a sustainable and prosperous future for both sides.

Delegates take souvenir photos.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/viet-nam-eu-nang-tam-hop-tac-giao-duc-va-doi-moi-sang-tao-erasmus-va-horizon-europe-mo-ra-tuong-lai-so-ben-vung-197251103211439882.htm