The first pig born in Vietnam thanks to the application of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese scientists have for the first timesuccessfully cloned pigs using the somatic cells of ear tissue.
Fourhealthy pigs were born on March 10 using somatic cell nuclear transfertechnology.
Visitingthe National Institute of Animal Sciences on March 14, Minister of Agricultureand Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said this was an important breakthroughfor the animal cloning sector of Vietnam, proving the country’s science andtechnology’s role and position in the regional and the world.
Theinstitute launched the project to study the cloning of pigs by somaticcell nuclear transfer technology in July 2017.
Directorof the institute Dr. Pham Cong Thieu said although the facilities and equipmentwere limited, Vietnamese scientists have strived to study and apply animalcloning technology.
Thisoutstanding achievement has opened up new research opportunitiesto apply animal cloning technology in breeding, preserving rare andvaluable animals as well as creating livestock resistant to diseases andthe impacts of climate change. It could also help to create cloned pigs fororgan transplants in the future, he said.
Somaticcell nuclear transfer technology was successfully carried out for the firsttime in 1996 in the UK, where scientists created Dolly the sheep.
Cuongpraised the efforts of the researchers of the institute for cloning the pigs,which make up a high proportion of Vietnamese food.
“Vietnamesescientists have been creative and determined to apply world achievements todevelop Vietnam’s own achievements in the context of limited equipment andfacilities,” he said.
Heasked the institute to review the process to strengthen the results andcontinue to study and uphold this technology to preserve native animals anddevelop livestock as part of the husbandry strategy./.
Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has suggested that the country and Vietnam set up a bilateral cooperation mechanism in animal health.
According to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the agriculture sector earns 40 billion USD from shipping farm produce to 120 countries, however, there are few products from the livestock industry such as honey, salted eggs and suckling pigs.
Vietnam’s livestock industry hopes to increase its average production growth rate in 2021 by 5-6 percent, according to the Department of Livestock Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Building disease-free zones is the most important key to the sustainable development of the husbandry sector, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said on February 23.
The Mekong Delta province of An Giang boasts strengths in economic development, especially high tech agriculture, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said while attending a ground-breaking ceremony for a high tech dairy farm project of TH Group in Tri Ton district of the province on February 27.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
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.
The first pig born in Vietnam thanks to the application of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology. (Photo: VNA) 
