Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)

What Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) does

VAST is Vietnam's designated premier national research institution, established in 1975 and headquartered in Hanoi. It operates more than 30 specialized institutes and centers spanning mathematics, chemistry, physics, biotechnology, marine science, space technology, information technology, materials science, earth sciences, and ecology, employing approximately 1,980 research staff (including 49 professors and 897 PhDs) within a total headcount reported above 10,000. Since April 2026 the academy has reported directly to the Communist Party's Central Committee, a status that elevates it above the prior ministerial reporting line.

The academy runs critical national scientific infrastructure including the VNREDSat-1 remote-sensing satellite, which has captured more than 155,000 images over a 10-year operational life, and the National Seismic Monitoring Network, which recorded 343 earthquakes in 2023. Annual research output is substantial: 2,211 scientific publications and 76 patents granted in 2023 alone, covering areas such as nanocomposite fire retardants, ecological zoning, marine research, and landslide modelling. The institution also engages in technology transfer and licensing to Vietnamese enterprises and partners, including recent agreements with Y Dược Sâm Ngọc Linh on herbal medicine and with IEMD on robotics and agricultural machinery.

VAST's business model is anchored in direct state budget appropriations as a government research academy, supplemented by applied-research contracts, technology transfer and licensing fees, and international cooperation grants. Customer segments are dominated by the Vietnamese state (as primary commissioner), with a small and growing base of Vietnamese enterprise partners (Y Dược Sâm Ngọc Linh, IEMD, ECOBANK MEKONG) and foreign counterparties including Japanese (JAFT, 2027-2029), Belarusian (NCCB Fund, 2027-2028), and Italian diplomatic programs. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)

Legal name

Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (Viện Hàn lâm Khoa học và Công nghệ Việt Nam)

Website

https://vast.gov.vn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) is Vietnam's premier national research institution, operating 30+ specialized institutes across natural sciences, space technology, and engineering under direct management of the Communist Party's Central Committee.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Scientific Research and Technology Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Space Research and Technology (92711), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Patent Owners & Lessors (6794)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with National Laboratories/Big Science Facilities (EDAHAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI), Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

Keywords

• National research academy
• Scientific research services
• Space technology operations
• Technology transfer services
• Natural sciences research

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanoi

HQ country

Vietnam

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: State budget funding for fundamental research, national science and technology programs, and strategic research missions
2. Research Services and Consulting: Scientific analysis, testing, consulting services, and technology transfer provided to government agencies, enterprises, and international partners
3. Technology Transfer and Licensing: Technology transfer and commercialization of research outcomes including patents, processes, and proprietary methodologies

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

VAST is Vietnam's premier state-owned national research academy that conducts fundamental and applied research across natural sciences, materials science, nanotechnology, space technology, marine science, environmental science, biotechnology, and information technology. It delivers research and consulting services to government agencies and enterprises, operates national scientific infrastructure including the VNREDSat-1 satellite and the National Seismic Monitoring Network, transfers and licenses proprietary technologies, and runs doctoral, master's, and postdoctoral training programs through affiliated universities.

Product overview

Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) is a comprehensive national research institution consisting of multiple specialized institutes and research centers conducting fundamental and applied research across natural sciences, technology, and related fields. The organization includes various sub-institutes such as the Vietnam National Satellite Center (VNSC) managing satellite operations, the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Center for natural disaster monitoring, the Natural History Museum for biodiversity research, the Institute of Advanced Technology (IAT) for advanced technology research, and the Center for High Technology Research and Development (CHTD) for technology incubation. VAST also manages numerous research projects covering areas such as nanocomposite fire retardant materials, ecological zoning, landslide research, and space technology applications. The institution provides scientific research, technology development, and training services as Vietnam's premier academy in science and technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Trần Đại Nghĩa Award: National prestigious science and technology award named after Professor-General Trần Đại Nghĩa, recognizing outstanding contributions in science and technology
• VNREDSat-1

Products and services

• Fundamental and Applied Scientific Research Services
• VNREDSat-1 Earth Observation Satellite Imagery Services
• National Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Services
• Technology Transfer and Patent Licensing Services
• Doctoral, Master's, and Postdoctoral Training Programs
• Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,211 scientific publications in 2023 with 78.6% in international journals
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tập đoàn Y Dược Sâm Ngọc Linh Việt NamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2026Research cooperation agreement for development and commercialization of products from Vietnamese medicinal herbs, particularly Ngọc Linh ginseng. The collaboration combines VAST Institute of Chemistry's research capabilities with the company's product development and commercialization experience.
• Hội Hỗ trợ Phát triển Khoa học Nhật Bản (JAFT)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2026International cooperation program for joint research tasks at VAST level with Japan Support Association for Science Development for period 2027-2029.
• Quỹ NCCB BelarusmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026International cooperation program for joint research tasks with Belarus National Research Foundation for period 2027-2028.
• Viện Phát triển Công nghệ Cơ – Điện (IEMD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Science and technology cooperation agreement for research, development and application of high-tech products including robots and agricultural machinery. Signed at Hanoi on March 20, 2026 between Center for High Technology Research and Development (CHTD) and IEMD.
• Đại sứ Cộng hòa Ý tại Việt Nam (Marco della Seta)minorOthersDiplomatic meeting between VAST President GS.TS Trần Hồng Thái and Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco della Seta on July 2, 2026 to discuss international science and technology cooperation.
• ECOBANK MEKONG PMUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiodiversity expert consultancy services for Mekong Delta ecosystem conservation projects. VAST provides scientific expertise on biodiversity and ecosystem management.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation): Australia's national science agency, comparable to VAST as a government-funded multi-disciplinary research body with applied science focus, patent generation, and technology commercialization activities.
• Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST): South Korea's flagship government research institute focused on applied science and technology, comparable to VAST in its national R&D mandate and emphasis on technology transfer and industrial partnerships.
• Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST): Japan's core funding agency for science and technology with both research funding and operational roles; comparable to VAST in driving national S&T strategy and being a partner in VAST's international cooperation programs (JAFT).
• Max Planck Society: Germany's leading non-governmental basic research organization operating 80+ institutes across natural and life sciences; comparable to VAST in scale and breadth of multi-disciplinary basic research, though with independent (rather than state-direct) governance.

Regional players

• National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand: Thailand's primary national R&D agency, regionally comparable to VAST as a Southeast Asian government research institution focused on applied research, technology transfer, and commercial partnerships within the same geographic region.

Direct peers

• National Research Council of Italy (CNR): Italy's national research council, directly comparable to VAST as a multi-disciplinary public research body operating dozens of research institutes across scientific domains under government oversight.
• Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS): Russia's national academy of sciences, directly comparable to VAST in being a state-funded, multi-disciplinary scientific research organization with a broad portfolio of research institutes covering the natural sciences and technology.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India: India's premier national R&D organization under government control, comparable to VAST in operating a network of specialized laboratories conducting multi-disciplinary research with technology commercialization and patent generation mandates.
• Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS): France's largest and most prominent public research organization, comparable to VAST in covering all scientific domains through specialized institutes with government funding, publication output focus, and applied research mandate.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS): China's premier national multi-disciplinary research academy, directly comparable in mandate to VAST as a state-run, comprehensive natural sciences research institution spanning physics, chemistry, biology, space technology, and materials science with dozens of specialized institutes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)