VietNamNet Bridge - It will take Vietnam hundreds of years to develop an aerospace industry of its own, experts say.


Pham Quy Son, deputy chair and secretary general of the Vietnam Aerospace Association, said that aerospace was a new industry in Vietnam, and that developing the aerospace industry means manufacturing basic components of aircraft and missiles, not importing components to assemble as Vietnam does in the automobile industry.

To develop the aerospace industry, Vietnam needs to 1) have fundamental technologies and technique, especially technologies to make engine 2) solve questions in aerodynamics and 3) find solutions to electronics autopilot and information technology.

To obtain these, Son said Vietnam needs to have three things. First, research & development center. Second, production technology, mechanical engineering industry, laboratory and testing system. Third, favorable conditions to test and use products.

It will take Vietnam hundreds of years to develop an aerospace industry of its own.

Besides, it also needs a good labor force with experienced engineers and designers in all fields, from aviation electronics to information technology.

Unlike other industries such as ones that make bread and clothes, aerospace is a high technology industry which uses human’s highest achievements in many different fields, from material science to design, from production organization to testing.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s infrastructure remains insufficient, the labor force is weak with very few specialists and there are a modest number of university graduates in these fields every year. 

Currently, Vietnam still cannot make equipment and components, and has to buy products from industrial countries. “However, you also need good knowledge to be able to buy good products, or you will waste money on low-quality equipment,” he said. 

Despite big difficulties, Son still believes this is not a daydream. South Korea, which now can manufacture aircrafts, missiles and satellites, was once at the same starting point like Vietnam.

Son mentioned the fact that Viettel Technologies, a member of the Vietnam Aerospace Association, has become a member of IAF (International Astronautical Federation).  The membership has a very important significance, which marks a milestone in Vietnam’s international cooperation in the field of space science & technology.

Viettel Technologies is the first Vietnamese firm which can participate in the federation’s activities of research and development, technology transfer, training and international cooperation.

This will give opportunities to Vietnamese technology to share experiences, cooperate with partners and catch up with the world’s development. This could serve as the platform for Vietnam to shift from assembling to manufacturing. This also proves that Vietnamese units can stand on their feet.

Dat Viet