Vietnam makes strides in nanosatellite development
The launch of NanoDragon satellite is a chance for Vietnam to enrich experience, develop personnel, set up a network of suppliers and complete procedures for the development of other “Made-in-Vietnam” satellites in the future, said General Director of the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) Pham Anh Tuan.
Scientists from the Vietnam National Space Centre manufacturing NanoDragon satellite. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The launch of NanoDragon satellite isa chance for Vietnam to enrich experience, develop personnel, set up a networkof suppliers and complete procedures for the development of other “Made-in-Vietnam”satellites in the future, said General Director of the Vietnam National SpaceCenter (VNSC) Pham Anh Tuan.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on thesuccessful launch of the fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket carrying Vietnam’s NanoDragon into outer space at 7:55am (Hanoi time) on November 9,Tuan said that those involving in the manufacturing of NanoDragon haveacquired a lot of experience after taking part in two previous projects of PicoDragonand MicroDragon. The research team had received assistance from many domestic agenciesand organisations, he noted.
Tuan pointed out a number of difficulties facing Vietnam in thisarea, including poor infrastructure system and the incomplete system ofresearch and development centres, land stations and satellite testingequipment, along with modest resources for satellite research andmanufacturing.
Vietnam’s NanoDragon was successfully launched into outer space at 7:55am (Hanoi time) on November 9. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam embarked on research on a number of aerospace scienceand technology areas in the 1980s, but those in mastering aerospacetechnologies, especially satellite technologies, have been conducted since 2006, he noted.
The sector is implementing a national key project to build aVietnam Space Centre with major components such as building technical infrastructuresystem, training high-quality human resources and receiving the transfer of satellitetechnologies to create a firm foundation for realising the target of master technologies of designing and manufacturing nanosatellites, whichincluded in the strategy on developing and applying aerospace sciences andtechnologies until 2030 that has been recently approved by the Prime Minister.
To date, Vietnam has owned six satellites that are operating inthe orbit, including two telecommunications, one earth observation and threeresearch satellites. Of those, three were developed by Vietnamese scientists.
NanoDragonsatellite successfully separated from Japan’s fifth Epsilon solid-fuelrocket at 9:07 am (Hanoi time), flying in outer space by itself at a height of560km./.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on November 6 announced the delay of the launch of its fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket that is expected to carry nine small satellites, including Vietnam’s NanoDragon.
The fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket which carries Vietnam’s NanoDragon and eight other small satellites of Japan, was successfully launched into outer space at 9:55am (Japan time) on November 9.
The launch of made-in-Vietnam satellite NanoDragon has gone into history and marked a new development milestone of Vietnam’s space industry, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam said following the successful launch on November 9 morning at the Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture.
Vietnam’s NanoDragon satellite successfully separated from Japan’s fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket at 11:07 am (Japan time), flying in outer space by itself.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
The Government will always accompany companies, including CMC, and request ministries, agencies, and Hanoi authorities to further support them by promptly removing any obstacles to their growth, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Scientists from the Vietnam National Space Centre manufacturing NanoDragon satellite. (Photo: VNA) 
Vietnam’s NanoDragon was successfully launched into outer space at 7:55am (Hanoi time) on November 9. (Photo: VNA) 
