Vietnam - South Korea: Strengthening cooperation in carbon neutrality technology development and green science and technology enterprises.

On January 16, 2026, in Hanoi, the Center for Science and Technology Enterprise Development, under the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises, in collaboration with Korea University of Technology and Korean science and technology enterprises, organized the workshop "Vietnam - Korea 2026 Cooperation in Developing Carbon-Neutral Technologies and Green Science and Technology Enterprises".

The workshop serves as an important forum to promote policy, science , technology, and market linkages between Vietnam and South Korea, in the context of green transition and carbon neutrality becoming essential requirements for global sustainable development.

Carbon neutrality - a strategic choice for Vietnam.

In his opening remarks at the workshop, Mr. Ta Dinh Thi, Vice Chairman of the Science, Technology and Environment Committee of the Vietnamese National Assembly, emphasized that Vietnam made a strong commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This is not only an international commitment but also a long-term development orientation, closely linked to the requirements of reforming the growth model and improving the quality and competitiveness of the economy .

To realize this goal, Vietnam is implementing a comprehensive set of key solutions, prioritizing the improvement of institutions and policies on environmental protection, climate change adaptation, circular economy development, and the promotion of renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. Simultaneously, it is shifting its growth model towards a green and sustainable direction, with science, technology, and innovation as the core driving force.

Mr. Ta Dinh Thi delivered a speech at the seminar.

Mr. Ta Dinh Thi argued that carbon neutrality is not only an environmental problem but also a development problem, requiring the synchronized participation of the State, businesses, research institutes, and the scientific community, with science and technology enterprises playing a central role in commercializing and disseminating green solutions.

A significant milestone highlighted by Mr. Ta Dinh Thi was the Politburo 's issuance of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. This resolution, for the first time, establishes science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the primary drivers of growth, placed under the direct and unified leadership of the Party.

In line with the Resolution's guidelines, Vietnam strives to bring its scientific and technological potential and level to an advanced level in many key areas; to achieve above-average technological and innovation capabilities of enterprises; and to develop several scientific and technological fields that reach international standards. Among these, green technology, digital technology, and advanced technologies serving green transformation are identified as key priority areas.

Over the past year, based on Resolution 57-NQ/TW, the legal and policy system on science, technology, and innovation has been fundamentally reformed, creating a more favorable environment for research, testing, investment, and commercialization of technology.

In this context, Mr. Ta Dinh Thi affirmed that South Korea is a strategic and reliable partner of Vietnam. South Korea not only possesses an advanced scientific and technological foundation but also has experience in managing and effectively implementing green economy models, circular economy models, and applying artificial intelligence in environmental protection.

From a bilateral cooperation perspective, he believes the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea is enormous. Vietnam has a high demand for green technology, abundant biomass resources, and a rapidly developing market; while South Korea has strengths in technology, management, and high-quality investment capital. The two sides can cooperate comprehensively, from research and testing to technology transfer and commercialization of green products.

To realize this potential, Mr. Ta Dinh Thi proposed several specific directions: Researching the establishment of a joint working group on carbon neutrality technology; strengthening connections between businesses and research institutes of the two countries; building a green finance mechanism to support low-carbon cooperation projects; promoting training of green technology personnel and expert exchanges; and implementing pilot projects in suitable localities in Vietnam.

From a research perspective, Professor Huyn Dong Hyun (Korea University of Technology) believes that carbon neutrality is a particularly important task for both Vietnam and Korea. According to him, Korea has advantages in technology and engineering, while Vietnam possesses an industrial base, market, and the potential for scaling up applications.

Professor Huyn Dong Hyun speaks at the conference.

The collaboration between the two sides will create broader opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the areas discussed at the Workshop, ranging from biotechnology and digital technology to emission reduction solutions in industry and agriculture.

Science and technology enterprises are the core force of green transformation.

At the workshop, Mr. Tran Xuan Dich, Deputy Director of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises, introduced the new policy system for developing science and technology enterprises in Vietnam.

Mr. Tran Xuan Dich stated that by December 2025, the whole country had issued 962 Certificates of Science and Technology Enterprises. Notably, the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation and Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP have established many outstanding preferential mechanisms and policies for this business sector.

Specifically, science and technology enterprises are subject to a preferential corporate income tax rate of 10% for 15 years, with a tax exemption for 4 years and a 50% reduction in tax payable for the following 9 years; they are also allowed to allocate up to 20% of their taxable income to a fund for the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Mr. Tran Xuan Dich presented at the workshop.

In addition, businesses are exempt from personal income tax on income from salaries and wages earned from performing scientific, technological, and innovative tasks; and exempt from import tax on machinery, equipment, and specialized materials that are not produced domestically and are used for R&D activities. Incentives regarding land, credit, fees, and access to state funds also create favorable conditions for businesses to expand investment and commercialize research results.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo at the conference.

These policies are expected to give a strong boost to science and technology businesses, especially those operating in the fields of green technology, innovation, and digital transformation—areas with significant potential for cooperation with strategic partners such as South Korea.

At the conference, Korean businesses and research institutes showcased many exemplary green technology models and solutions, such as: producing biofuels from straw, developing the recycling industry, building data centers for artificial intelligence training, AI-based fire prevention systems, and technologies for air pollution control and energy saving.

These shared experiences not only provide technical solutions and expertise but also open up practical cooperation opportunities between businesses and research institutions in both countries in implementing carbon emission reduction projects, promoting green and sustainable development, in line with Vietnam's strategic priorities in the new development phase.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/viet-nam-han-quoc-tang-cuong-hop-tac-phat-trien-cong-nghe-trung-hoa-carbon-va-doanh-nghiep-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-xanh-197260116125929724.htm