VKIST needs to nurture “big dreams”

This is the orientation set by Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung for VKIST until 2030 at the working session on May 20, 2025 in Hanoi.

From research to market

Reporting to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Duc Loi, Director of VKIST, said that after 3 years of official operation, the initial results achieved are positive. As of April 30, 2025, VKIST has been carrying out 27 ministerial-level science and technology product research tasks with a total budget allocated by the State budget of nearly 75 billion VND, of which 15 tasks have been completed. The Institute has had 23 international articles, 10 domestic articles, 17 articles published in scientific conference proceedings, 10 inventions/patent registrations/utility solutions/software copyrights/technological processes.

Currently, VKIST has successfully transferred 8 commercial technologies and 16 technologies have been completed and are ready to be transferred to businesses for commercialization. Of which, VKIST successfully transferred the Natural Herbal Nano Extraction Technology with revenue of 80 billion VND after only one year on the market; CPI and Dexin's pharmaceutical and cosmetic products respectively brought in 40 billion VND in revenue in 6 months and a profit sharing ratio of 2% for VKIST; along with that, the saltwater treatment system was successfully transferred to Son Ha Company.

Director Vu Duc Loi said: "It is estimated that in 2025, VKIST's revenue is expected to reach 40 billion VND, an increase of more than 200% compared to 2024 (12.6 billion VND). This is royalties from the Institute's technologies when transferred to businesses and money from science and technology service contracts".

However, the biggest challenge remains the commercialization of research results. For example, the project of cancer and hepatitis B testing kits - despite its potential for widespread application - has not been able to reach the market due to lack of funding to complete the product and apply for a license. While domestic enterprises are still wary of risks and waiting for the finished product, foreign enterprises are ready to buy the technology immediately.

Associate Professor, Dr. Truong Thi Ngoc Lien, Head of the IT - BT Integrated Technology Department, cited: "We have completed research on technology to produce rapid test kits for cancer and hepatitis B in blood samples. The kits can be sold widely in pharmacies, and people can use them at home, with great potential."

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Truong Thi Ngoc Lien, domestic enterprises are still afraid of risks and are only willing to accept the transfer when the product is completed and licensed for circulation by a state agency. To meet this requirement, the research team needs a significant investment, estimated at up to 20 billion VND for the clinical trial process, which is a very difficult number to request support from the current budget.

Associate Professor, Dr. Lien expressed his hope that the Ministry of Science and Technology could design a special mechanism to support the research team in bringing products from the laboratory to the market, and even build a factory to produce test kits right in Vietnam. Notably, there are currently Japanese enterprises expressing their desire to buy this technology, but VKIST still prioritizes finding domestic partners to transfer to ensure reasonable prices for Vietnamese people.

Develop core technology, focus on strategic products

In response to concerns, proposals and recommendations from staff along with the development orientation of the Institute, leaders of some units under the Ministry directly discussed, answered and proposed specific forms of support. Minister Nguyen Manh Hung also listened to opinions and shares from staff and units of the Institute on the development plan in the new period.

In order for VKIST to continue to develop strongly and keep up with the demands of the times, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung suggested that the Institute needs to renew its vision, review and reposition its mission, core values and development strategy. The Minister said that in the current context with many major changes in technology and growth models, VKIST needs to arouse the aspiration to become a leading research institute, playing a leading role in developing national strategic technologies.

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung gave a speech at the working session with VKIST Institute.

At the meeting, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that the goal of research activities does not stop at publication but must measure the commercialization efficiency throughout the technology life cycle: "A researched technology must measure the commercialization value throughout the entire life cycle. We need to think, if we invest 1 dong in research, how much output will be created?"

The Minister said that in Russia and Belarus, each dong of research investment generates 15-20 dong of revenue. In Vietnam, according to the Minister, the figure should be at least 10 dong. With VKIST's expected revenue in 2025 reaching 40 billion dong, revenue from transfer businesses must be 400-500 billion dong.

According to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, innovation is not simply a research activity, but the process of creatively applying it to practice. VKIST must accompany businesses before conducting research, thereby solving problems from real life. The Minister emphasized, "The goal is not just products. The goal is to master technology. Mastering products is an intermediate step. Vietnam needs strategic technology more than individual products."

Resolution 57 and the Draft Law on Science, Technology and Innovation currently being submitted to the National Assembly have greatly loosened the reins on scientific and technological research activities. In the context of a breakthrough institution, VKIST is required to nurture "bigger dreams", with a vision of becoming a leading applied research institute by 2040-2045, capable of replacing imported technology with domestic technology.

Repeatedly emphasizing VKIST's pioneering role, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung directed the Institute to focus on developing core and strategic technologies, avoiding research directions that have been effectively exploited by the market. Instead, VKIST must prioritize leading technologies that have a profound impact on society and open up breakthrough directions for the Vietnamese economy. Key areas that are particularly emphasized include semiconductors, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), defense industry, and secondary batteries. The long-term goal is to build VKIST into one of the leading applied research institutes, capable of leading the national innovation ecosystem through strategic products with comprehensive impact.

The special feature of VKIST is that it was established on the basis of the Agreement between the Governments of Vietnam and Korea, with ODA capital support from Korea. Therefore, in addition to its development potential, VKIST also carries the responsibility of effectively using investment capital and playing a pioneering role in the ecosystem of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.