Hanoi, June 10, 2026 – the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED), the Vingroup Innovation Foundation (VinIF), and VinUniversity jointly organized the inaugural Homecoming for Vietnamese Scientists event. The event brought together leaders from leading universities and research institutes, alongside more than 200 Vietnamese scientists from across the country and around the world.
The program was attended by Minister of Education and Training Assoc. Prof. Hoang Minh Son, who delivered a keynote address titled “From Talent Attraction Policies to Strengthening National Scientific Capacity.” In his remarks, the Minister emphasized that Vietnam should pursue a broader ambition than simply encouraging scientists to return home. Rather, the country must work collectively to build an ecosystem attractive enough for talented individuals to stay, thrive, and contribute over the long term to national development.
Building on the Minister’s address, participants engaged in discussions around several critical questions facing Vietnam’s scientific and higher education landscape:
– What role will higher education institutions and scientific talent play in shaping the future?
– While senior leadership has demonstrated strong commitment, how can universities, faculties, institutes, and research centers foster alignment and shared ownership of the mission to attract and retain top talent?
– Which scientists are most likely to return to Vietnam? What motivates them to come back, and what conditions are necessary to encourage them not only to return, but also to remain and contribute over the long term?
The program continued with 3 panel discussions. Assoc. Prof. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director, National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED), chaired Panel 1, “Attracting Talent: From Strategic Thinking to Practical Solutions – Lessons from Institutions”. Panel 2, “Going Abroad and Returning Home – The Aspiration of Scientists”, was chaired by Prof. Vu Ha Van, Director of VinIF Foundation, VinUniversity. Panel 3, ““Breakthrough Initiatives and Solutions to Challenges in Attracting and Retaining Talent”, was chaired by Prof. Phan Manh Huong – Director of Center for Materials Innovation and Technology (CMIT), VinUniversity.
The conference concluded with the announcement of several concrete collaborative initiatives, including the launch of the Global VINIF Fellows Network and the Vietnam Global Network for Digital Materials (VGN-DM). These initiatives mark a promising beginning in connecting outstanding Vietnamese scientists from around the world and fostering collective action toward a shared goal: advancing Vietnam’s scientific and technological development.
