On the morning of March 13, at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the opening of the "Vietnam - Japan Space Forum 2026: Cooperation for a new era" and the inauguration of the Vietnam Space Center project.
Speaking at the Forum, Deputy Minister of Economy and Technology of Japan Hiroyuki Hatada, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki and Japanese partners expressed their desire and commitment to accompany Vietnam in cooperation in the field of space science and technology (S&T) between Vietnam and Japan to continuously develop, as vast as the vast universe, without limits.
VNA quoted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as affirming that the inauguration of the Vietnam Space Center and the organization of the Vietnam - Japan Space Forum is of special significance, marking an important step in the development of Vietnam's space science and technology industry; and at the same time opening up a new, deeper, more substantive, and more effective cooperation program between Vietnam and Japan.
Stating that the Vietnam Space Center project is a modern infrastructure complex, with a scale and technological level belonging to the advanced group in Southeast Asia, the Prime Minister highly appreciated and respectfully thanked the valuable contributions of the Government, organizations and businesses of Japan.
Informing about the development of space science and technology in Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that in 1980, Vietnam became the first Asian country with people flying into space, with the flight of hero Pham Tuan. Vietnam successfully launched VINASAT-1 satellites in 2008, VINASAT-2 in 2012.
In 2013, PicoDragon - the first satellite developed by Vietnam itself was launched into orbit.
In 2019, MicroDragon, developed in cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, was launched to serve remote sensing.
In 2021, the NanoDragon satellite independently developed by Vietnam successfully launched.
Currently, the LOTUSat-1 radar satellite has been completed and is waiting to be put into orbit for operation and exploitation, which is clear evidence of Vietnam's breakthrough in mastering advanced technology.
Vietnam consistently adheres to the view of developing outer space for peaceful purposes, in compliance with the United Nations conventions and international law, for the goal of sustainable development, for the benefit of the people, businesses and the nation; while ensuring independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening in parallel with expanding practical and effective international cooperation.
Vietnam strives to become a country with a fairly developed level of space science and technology in Southeast Asia by 2030. After 2030, build a national capacity to be autonomous in satellite technology, applying spatial data to solve global and national security problems.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the motto for action in the coming time is defined by 20 words: "Exploring space - Mastering technology - Strong cooperation - Sustainable development - Peaceful space".
In the coming time, the Prime Minister said that Vietnam will mobilize and effectively use all resources for space science and technology development in the spirit of "3 yes: There is contribution from the State, there is contribution from businesses, there is contribution from institutes, schools, and scientists".
Vietnam continues to create more favorable conditions for international organizations, development partners, and the business community at home and abroad to continue to support and accompany Vietnam in developing space science and technology in the spirit of "3 accelerates" and "3 togethers".
In which "3 promotions" include promoting cooperation, sharing experiences, policy consultation; promoting financial and technical support; promoting training, human resource development and "3 together" is "together listening and understanding" between businesses and the State and people; sharing visions and actions to cooperate, support each other to develop quickly and sustainably; working together, winning together, enjoying together, developing together; sharing joy, happiness and pride".
