French, Vietnamese firms seek to turn research into commercial applications

The event was jointly organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (CCIFV), La French Tech Vietnam, the French Embassy in Vietnam, the French Foreign Trade Advisors, and Business France.

Cooperation focuses on five sectors: transportation, industry, construction, healthcare and financial technology (fintech), with the aim of promoting technology adoption and strengthening business ties between the two countries.

Tran Trong Tuyen, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, said the city was shifting toward a growth model increasingly driven by knowledge, technology, innovation and workforce quality.

Science, technology and innovation are key to improving productivity, boosting competitiveness and generating greater economic value, he said.

To support this shift, the city is developing an open innovation ecosystem that connects government agencies, businesses, universities and research institutes.

Under this model, businesses will drive technological innovation, research institutions will provide technical solutions, and government agencies will improve policies and connect resources, Tuyen said.

The city is prioritizing artificial intelligence (AI), medical technology, construction technology and digital solutions to support industrial development, advance digital transformation and address urban challenges.

"We want research results not to remain confined to laboratories or scientific publications, but to be transferred, commercialized and effectively applied in production, business and social life," Tuyen said.

Cooperation with France will focus on joint research, new product development, investment links and market expansion.

The city also aims to connect French technology companies with Vietnamese partners to develop viable projects that generate economic value.

Tuyen stressed the need to align training with businesses' needs, promote expert exchanges and develop skilled workers capable of adopting and mastering new technologies.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Didier Le Bret said innovation was one of the key topics during Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's recent visit to France.

Innovation was featured in the joint statement on accelerating the implementation of the France-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership and in the Vietnamese leader's working program, which included visits to the Paris-Saclay science and technology cluster and France's Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, Le Bret said.

He highlighted the importance of platforms such as France-Vietnam Forward in addressing issues crucial to economic growth, including ethical concerns and technological sovereignty.

In April 2025, the French Embassy and Vietnam's National Innovation Center signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two countries' innovation ecosystems.

France has 55 competitiveness clusters that connect businesses with research and training centers to support technology development and application.

Thibaut Giroux, chairman of CCIFV, said stronger links between French and Vietnamese businesses were needed to turn opportunities into concrete partnerships.

"Businesses need more than one-off meetings. They need a platform to find suitable partners, access technology and resources, and identify cooperation opportunities that can be put into practice," Giroux said.