In the global field of materials science, Vietnam is still in its foundational stage. The question is not just how to catch up, but more importantly, to find areas where Vietnam can make a unique contribution.

From Learning to Contribution

The Horizons 2025: Materials, AI & Automation conference at VinUni (August 25-27, 2025) convened scientists from Princeton University, UC Santa Barbara, the University of Chicago, Georgia Tech, and leading universities in Asia, providing a comprehensive overview of current materials research trends.

Professor Nguyen Duc Hoa, Deputy Director of the International Training Institute for Materials Science (Hanoi University of Science and Technology), with over 9,400 international citations in the field of nanomaterials and sensors, commented: “Although specializing in semiconductor materials, I was still surprised by the diversity of research presented – from AI in materials design to organic polymers and energy applications.”

It is noteworthy that attending Vietnamese students not only had access to published research but also heard firsthand about unpublished results. This is the differentiating value of an international conference compared to reading papers: the ability to grasp emerging research trends.

Materials Science and Practical Applications

The research presented at Horizons 2025 illustrates the rapid development of this field. Perovskite solar cells with superior efficiency compared to traditional silicon, singlet fission mechanisms optimizing optical energy conversion, or conductive polymers opening the possibility of producing flexible electronic devices – all are research directions with high application potential.

Professor Hoa emphasized the connection between basic research and application: “The public may not see the products immediately, but these research results are the foundation for businesses to develop the technology. Science leads so that businesses and policies may follow.”

The Research Gap Challenge

According to the Nature Index 2024-2025, Vietnam witnessed a 17% increase in high-quality publications, but the absolute number remains modest compared to leading countries. China currently leads with over 32,000 Share points, while Vietnam has not yet achieved a position commensurate with its population size and development potential.

However, international scientific events like Horizons 2025 can play a crucial role in building scientific prestige. “Many international colleagues are unaware of Vietnam’s research capabilities. When they come and listen to our reports, they realize that we have quality universities and researchers here,” Professor Hoa shared.

Building a Research Ecosystem

An important factor that Professor Hoa emphasized is the role of businesses in transforming research into applications. In technology hubs like Silicon Valley or Shenzhen, businesses regularly monitor and invest in promising research from an early stage.

“Vietnamese businesses need to shift from the role of ‘technology buyers’ to ‘co-creators’,” Professor Hoa analyzed. “Instead of waiting for finished products, they need to proactively cooperate with universities and research institutes to develop technology.”

Long-term Vision

What Professor Hoa is most interested in is the impact on the younger generation. Allowing Vietnamese students the opportunity to attend international conferences not only helps them access knowledge but also changes their mindset: from feeling “left out of the global game” to recognizing that Vietnam can contribute to the global scientific flow.

To close the gap on the materials science map, Vietnam needs a long-term strategy combining three elements: solid basic research, an effective technology transfer system, and business investment in R&D. Only when these three factors work together harmoniously can Vietnam transform from a “learner” to a “contributor” in the global materials science community.