Viet Nam National Space Center inaugurated

Located in Ha Noi's Hoa Lac High-tech Park, the Center is expected to give a strong boost to the development of Viet Nam's space science and technology field.

The VNSC is the first high-tech science project in Viet Nam implemented with an ODA loan from the Japanese Government, with a total investment of over VNN7 trillion (over US$266.2 million).

Covering an area of 9 ha, the project provides infrastructure to receive the transfer of earth observation satellite technology, including training personnel and manufacturing and launching the LOTUSat-1 satellite. 

It aims to enhance capacity for disaster prevention, climate change response, resource management and environmental monitoring through remote sensing data to support socio-economic development and national security.

In his remark, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh Chinh noted that the VNSC is a modern infrastructure complex with a scale and technological level among the most advanced in Southeast Asia.

Pham said the Vietnamese people have long dreamed of exploring the universe, adding that that dream came true in modern times when Viet Nam was the first Asian country to send a citizen into space with the flight of hero Pham Tuan in 1980.

In 2006, the Government approved the national strategy for research and application of space technology, aiming to support the country’s industrialisation and modernisation. Viet Nam subsequently launched its first telecommunications satellites VINASAT-1 in 2008 and VINASAT-2 in 2012. 

Viet Nam has also made notable progress in satellite development. PicoDragon as the country's first domestically developed satellite, was launched in 2013. MicroDragon, jointly developed by Viet Nam and Japan, was launched in 2019 for earth observation missions. 

In 2021, NanoDragon, fully developed by Vietnamese engineers, was successfully placed into orbit. Meanwhile, the radar satellite LOTUSat-1 has been completed and is awaiting launch, demonstrating Viet Nam's growing capacity to master advanced technologies.

Pham affirmed Viet Nam consistently pursues the development of space technology for peaceful purposes, in line with the UN conventions and international law, while ensuring national independence and self-reliance alongside effective international cooperation.

Viet Nam aims by 2030 to achieve a mid-level position in space science and technology development within Southeast Asia, and after 2030 to build national capabilities to independently develop satellite technologies and apply space data to address global challenges and national security needs.

To realise these goals, the Government leader has defined an action motto of exploring space, mastering technology, strengthening cooperation, pursuing sustainable development, and ensuring a peaceful cosmos.

Viet Nam will continue to improve institutions, mechanisms and policies governing space activities, moving toward the development of a national space law, he said, adding that the country will mobilise and efffectively use resources for space development with the contributions from the State, businesses, and research institutions and scientists, thus gradually forming a satellite data services market and a space technology application ecosystem.

The country also plans to implement major national programmes to enhance earth observation capabilities; build shared satellite data infrastructure; strengthen strengthening real-time analysis, forecasting and operational support; and develop high-quality human resources in space science and technology.

The Prime Minister assigned the VAST to operate the VNSC effectively and sustainably, ensuring that it performs functions in research, integration, testing, operations, data exploitation, training and technology transfer so that it can truly become a core national infrastructure for space science and technology. The Government leader stressed the need to deepen international collaboration, particularly between Vietnam and Japan. He called for translating high-level agreements between the two countries into concrete projects and cooperation programmes with clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable outcomes./.