The Vietnam Science and Technology Journalists Club on December 25 announced 10 outstanding science and technology events in 2018, selected by science and technology journalists from 20 central and local media agencies. 

The events cover aspects of policy, social science and humanity, research of application, international integration and outstanding scientists. This is the 13th year the club has issued the list. Following is the list of the top 10 events:

1. The Digital Vietnamese knowledge system is put into operation  

The project, launched under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, aims to share knowledge, encourage creativity and connect the community for Vietnam’s future. The system collects the world’s knowledge translated into Vietnamese and Vietnamese knowledge that has been systematised for easy study and search.

Digital Vietnamese knowledge system's interface 

2. Dr. Tran Dinh Phong, Director of the Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, and his group win the Ta Quang Buu Award for their research project in the physics field entitled “Coordination polymer structure and revisited hydrogen evolution catalytic mechanism for amorphous molybdenum sulfide”. 

The catalyst for this chemical reaction is platinum, a rare and expensive material. The research of Dr. Phong and his collaborators successfully demonstrated the structure and mechanism of amorphous molybdenum sulfide, an easy-to-fabricate, low-cost material as an alternative to platinum for the hydrogen evolution reaction from water. Dr. Phong’s research is a considerable step in the race to find solutions to clean energy and cut CO2 emissions. 

3. Viettel Group’s online charging system called vOCS 3.0 wins gold for best new product or service of the year in telecommunications by International Business Stevie Awards in London on October 10. 

Currently, vOCS 3.0 is used in 11 countries with 170 mobile service subscribers, with the capacity of each site serving up to 100 million subscribers. The most distinctive feature of vOCS 3.0 is the ability to design for each customer a tariff package, thus opening opportunities for vICS 3.0 to be applied in many countries around the globe.

4. A machine that makes snow ice from seawater to preserve seafood during offshore fishing is introduced

The machine is made by Le Van Luan and his colleagues from the Centre for High Technology Development under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST). Using snow ice made from seawater to preserve seafood helps prolong storage time of seafood on board due to lower storage temperature than ice made from fresh water, with faster icing time, thus improving seafood quality, reducing post-harvest loss and contributing to protecting the environment.

A look of the machine 

5. Vingroup debuts Fund for Science and Technology Applications

The 2 trillion VND (86 million USD) fund provides assistance for research projects in computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automation, nanotechnology, renewable energy and next-generation materials. 

6. Project to build A Chau Hi-tech Electrical Equipment factory gets approval 

On November 1, the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park Management Board granted an investment licence to the A Chau Industrial Technology Joint Stock Company to build the A Chau Hi-tech Electrical Equipment Factory. On the same day, the company and France-based Schneider Electric Group signed a cooperation and technology transfer agreement. The signing marked a breakthrough in production, integration, development, management and monitoring the automation of the energy system in Vietnam.

7. Industry 4.0 Summit and Expo 2018

The large-scale international event took place from July 11-13 chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, drawing nearly 2,000 delegates, including ambassadors, foreign experts and representatives from international organisations and domestic and foreign enterprises. It served the building of policies for Vietnam to participate in the fourth Industrial Revolution in a proactive and effective manner. It also offered a chance to promote investment in technology.

8. Vietnamese Professor Dam Thanh Son wins 2018 Dirac Medal and Prize 

On August 8, Dam Thanh Son from the University of Chicago was named one the three winners of the 2018 Dirac Medal and Prize by International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), together with Subir Sachdev of Harvard University and Xiao-Gang Wen of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They received the honour for their independent contributions toward understanding novel phases in strongly interacting many-body systems, introducing original cross-disciplinary techniques.

Professor Dam Thanh Son 

9. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hiep is honoured as the world’s young talented scientist

Nguyen Thi Hiep was selected to be part of the International Rising Talents Programme of the L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women In Science Awards, revealed on March 21 in Paris, France. 

Her work focuses on biomaterials such as bio-glue, bio-tape and needleless suturing for wound repair that can be used by patients at home. Her most recent project involves the development of a gel that is mainly formed by cross-linking hyaluronic acid (which contributes significantly to cell proliferation and migration) and chitosan (useful in tissue regeneration). It can carry other ingredients such as silver and curcumin nano-particles for different uses.

Dr Nguyen Thi Hiep (R) introduces her research

10. Relics of prehistoric humans found in the volcanic caves in Krong No, the central highlands province of Dak Nong.