The events were selected in different areas, including policies and mechanisms, social sciences, natural sciences, applied research, prominent scientists, and international integration.

Below is the list of notable sci-tech events in 2021:

1. The XIII National Party Congress identified "science - technology, innovation" as one of the strategic breakthroughs.

This is the first time the resolution of the Party Congress identified "science - technology, innovation" as one of the strategic breakthroughs to build and develop the country.

2. The 6th International Conference on Vietnamese Studies

The 6th International Conference on Vietnam Studies with the theme "Vietnam actively integrates and develops sustainably" was co-organized by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and Vietnam National University, Hanoi on October 28-29.

The conference attracted 600 domestic and international researchers, discussing 10 key areas with a total of 730 presentations in the fields of: History, economy, politics, international relations, culture, society, environment, etc.

3. VN scientific work wins Asia Innovation Award

Dr. Phuong (third from the left) and her team.

The project "Development and application of biosensor system for rapid determination of BOD and toxicity in water" won the Best Innovation Award of the Asia Innovation Award 2021.

This is a study of the research group of Dr. Pham Thi Thuy Phuong from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

With low investment and operating costs, this biosensor system is expected to be applied in automatic and continuous environmental monitoring systems, thereby assessing water quality directly at the source to give early warnings to minimize environmental incidents, contributing to the protection of aquatic and terrestrial life.

4. Viettel's smart city model recognized as the most effective and innovative in the world

Viettel is the only Vietnamese enterprise in the list of nominations and won this award, surpassing big names such as China Telecom Global, KT Corporation, ZARIOT secured SIMs in the same category.

Viettel's smart city model is a comprehensive solution with 14 component centers. Viettel can "tailor" according to the needs, characteristics, reality and culture of each province and city to help use local resources in the most optimal way, giving accurate and appropriate analysis, which enhances competitiveness and increases people's satisfaction.

5. Anti-erosion embankment works in Xuyen Moc district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province

The 1.3km embankment was built to prevent coastal erosion in the tourist area of Lang Chai, Phuoc Thuan commune, Xuyen Moc district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

6. Cooling vest for medical staff

In June 2021, a cooling vest for medical staff who joined the fight against Covid-19 was developed and produced by a group of engineers from the Institute of Technology Applications (Ministry of Science and Technology).

This vest is made of non-woven fabric, coated with Polyphenyl Ether (which is water resistant and "breathable"). The most important part of the vest is a combination of materials which has a cooling function, mounted on the front and back of the vest.

When the vest cools down, users can clean and disinfect the surface of the shirt with alcohol, then leave it in the freezer for about four hours for the next use. The vest has a total weight of 1.7 kg, capable of keeping cool for 3 hours.

7. Vietnam's "mobile isolation hat" honored by WIPO

On November 29, 2021, a group of three young Vietnamese, Do Trong Minh Duc, Tran Nguyen Khanh An and Nguyen Hoang Phuc, was awarded the title of Youth Ambassador by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

This is the first time that WIPO has awarded this title in the Asia-Pacific region and also the second time that this title has been awarded during the 50 years of WIPO's history.

The hat, called Vihelm, is designed on the principle of operation of a mask called PAPR, which filters the air with globally recognized standards and is 100 times safer than an N99 mask.

Users can comfortably wear this hat throughout a shift (about 4 hours) without worrying about itching or heat, while the risk of infection is reduced to 99.9 %.

8. Professor, Academician Chau Van Minh honored by France and Belarus

Professor, Academician Chau Van Minh, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, received the Legion of Honor from the French Republic and the Medal of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

This recognition from France and Belarus to Professor and Academician Chau Van Minh is for his outstanding achievements in science and his constant contribution in promoting scientific and technological cooperation.

The Order of the Beidou Boi Tinh is the noblest, oldest and most prestigious order of the French State. Professor, Academician Chau Van Minh is the first Vietnamese working in the fields of natural science and technology to be awarded the French Legion of Honor.

9. Luc Ngan lychee and Binh Thuan dragon fruit granted a Geographical Indication Protection Certificate by Japan

On March 16, 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries granted a Geographical Indication Protection Certificate for Luc Ngan lychee of Bac Giang province. This is the first agricultural product of Vietnam earning a Geographical Indication Certificate in Japan.

On October 7, 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries granted the certificate to another product from Vietnam - Binh Thuan dragon fruit.

10. Impressive TECHFEST 2021

Three months after launching, the program "National Innovation Startup Day - TECHFEST Vietnam 2021" ended on December 15 with impressive numbers.

In the context of the complicated development of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Techfest247 online exhibition attracted more than 2.5 million attendees in person and online. More than 120 events were held.

Techfest 247 platform had 997 booths, and 711 products registered for trade. It enabled nearly 350 startups to approach more than 100 domestic and international investors and investment funds, with a total registered investment of more than 15 million USD.

In the context of the complicated development of the Covid-19 epidemic, the financial sources of investment for creative startups in Vietnam increased unprecedentedly, with over 1.3 billion USD.

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