Assoc. Prof., Dr. Trần Lê Hưng (Overseas Vietnamese in France): Need to Build a Network of R&D Centers to Connect Vietnamese Intellect Globally
"Vietnamese people, wherever they are, will be ready to contribute to the country if given the opportunity," emphasized Assoc. Prof., Dr. Trần Lê Hưng when providing comments on the Draft Documents submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Ahead of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party, the overseas Vietnamese community actively contributed opinions to the Draft Documents. Assoc. Prof., Dr. Trần Lê Hưng, an overseas Vietnamese living in France and currently teaching at the Paris School of Engineering – Gustave Eiffel University, shared his dedicated thoughts on promoting the role of overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and entrepreneurs in private economic development, innovation, and training high-quality human resources.
Interviewer: The Party and the State have identified the private economy as one of the important drivers of the economy. In your opinion, in which areas can the overseas Vietnamese business and intellectual community contribute to promoting the private economy in Vietnam, especially in technology transfer, innovation, and participating in global value chains?
Assoc. Prof., Dr. Trần Lê Hưng: I believe it is necessary to establish and operate a model of "Research and Development (R&D) centers" within public service units, state-owned and private corporations, particularly in certain strategic industries, high-tech sectors, and connected industries.
The goal of the R&D model is to directly address practical issues in production, exploitation, and digital transformation, contributing to the modernization and optimization of production processes. It is also a favorable environment to harness the intellect of Vietnamese people worldwide, helping domestic experts approach international scientific standards and gradually achieve technological autonomy.
More importantly, this model creates opportunities for overseas Vietnamese experts and intellectuals to participate in solving national issues alongside domestic scientists, thereby strengthening national solidarity and fostering a sense of national pride.
Attracting overseas Vietnamese intellects to R&D activities also opens the way for experts and international partners to collaborate in Vietnam, reflecting the spirit of multilateral diplomacy and science diplomacy—a direction emphasized by our Party in Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new context.
Interviewer: Could you elaborate on the role of R&D in connecting the State – universities – enterprises, as well as in training high-quality human resources?
Assoc. Prof., Dr. Trần Lê Hưng: R&D centers need to be closely linked with universities and research institutes to train the next generation of highly capable personnel ready to contribute to nation-building and defense.
This is a concrete step to implement the spirit of Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW dated August 22, 2025, of the Party Central Committee on breakthrough development in education and training, emphasizing the model connecting the “State – universities – enterprises.”
Research topics from R&D will be coordinated, monitored, and funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology to ensure quality and practical applicability. This also helps realize Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, aiming to mobilize 3% of the budget for science, technology, and innovation, as well as raising the contribution of total factor productivity (TFP) to over 55%, on par with regional countries.
R&D outputs—including scientific publications, patents, and technical initiatives—will increase the application of knowledge in production, directly contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnam's private economy.
Interviewer: In Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, our Party also identifies education and training as a strategic breakthrough. In your view, what should Vietnam do to connect domestic schools, institutes, and enterprises with overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and students to develop high-quality human resources?
Assoc. Prof., Dr. Trần Lê Hưng: Our Party always considers humans as the center, subject, and goal of development. Therefore, the work of identifying, nurturing, and training young talents; attracting, utilizing, and retaining talent should be promoted, especially in the context of globalization.
The Government has issued Decree No. 179/2024/ND-CP on policies to attract talented individuals, along with the policy of attracting at least 100 top experts to return to work in the country—this reflects the strategic vision and strong determination of the Party and the State. However, besides financial incentives, it is necessary to create an attractive working environment, opportunities for advancement, and the ability to integrate, so that talent can commit long-term.
Particularly, attention should be paid to identifying and nurturing young Vietnamese overseas (F1, F2…), as they are valuable resources capable of connecting Vietnam with the world. Along with knowledge, education should focus on patriotism, national consciousness, and preserving Vietnamese culture, helping the younger generation orient toward the Fatherland and take pride in their roots.
Regularly organized competitions and awards in science, technology, innovation, and culture can become important channels to discover talents and stimulate creativity among young Vietnamese globally.
"These intellectuals and young talents are not only ambassadors of Vietnam but also pioneers on the ideological front—contributing to spreading the country’s image, countering false narratives, and promoting people-to-people diplomacy, science diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy in the digital era," shared Assoc. Prof., Dr. Hưng.
I believe that Vietnamese people, wherever they are, will be ready to contribute to the country if given the opportunity. What is important is that we create mechanisms, environments, and trust for Vietnamese intellect to converge and shine. When the Party, the State, and the people share the same aspiration, and when Vietnamese at home and abroad connect into a global creative network, I am confident that Vietnam can fully achieve its goal of becoming a developed and powerful nation by the middle of the 21st century.
Source: Committee for Overseas Vietnamese
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