Key Developments
On 27 May 2026, the European Commission said it signed a letter of intent with Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology to deepen cooperation in science, technology and innovation. The plan aimed to link researchers, universities, startups and public institutions, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and support sustainable growth, according to the Commission, amid sciencebusiness_news reporting that EU leaders are pushing faster progress on strategic technologies.
Key Statistics
- 29 Horizon Europe grants with Vietnamese participation, according to the European Commission
- 32 Horizon Europe participations by Vietnamese entities, according to the European Commission
Main Body
On 27 May 2026, the European Commission announced it had signed a letter of intent with Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology to deepen cooperation in science, technology and innovation. The Commission said the accord was intended to expand links among researchers, universities, startups and public institutions, with the goal of reinforcing innovation ecosystems and supporting sustainable growth in both regions.
According to the European Commission, the letter of intent set out plans to facilitate collaboration across research communities and innovation actors. The Commission highlighted that Vietnamese entities had already taken part in Horizon Europe projects, noting both signed grants and participations as indicators of existing scientific ties and a basis for scaling up cooperation.
The European Commission also pointed to ongoing engagement through Horizon Europe, with Vietnamese organisations involved in 29 signed grants and 32 participations. This track record provided continuity for the new initiative, indicating that the partnership aimed to build on established channels rather than create entirely new ones.
The move came as EU policymakers debated how to consolidate capabilities in critical technologies, with sciencebusiness_news reporting calls to accelerate European efforts on semiconductors and quantum. By formalising closer ties with Vietnam, the European Commission signalled a focus on international research networks that could broaden access to talent, support industrial innovation, and contribute to sustainable economic development.
