Speaking at the event announcing the establishment of three innovation networks and strategic technology experts on the morning of August 25 in Hanoi, Deputy PM Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a technology industry that Vietnam can take shortcuts, take the lead, master and surpass.

The three newly established networks, namely Quantum (VNQuantum), Cybersecurity (ViSecurity), and Aviation, Space, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV Vietnam), will enhance Vietnam’s position in the global technology value chain.

Do Thanh Trung, Deputy Minister of Finance, stated: “Quantum technology, cybersecurity, and aviation-space-UAVs are emerging as 3 strategic pillars shaping the global economy, security, and national defense, with market value estimated at hundreds to thousands of billion of dollars in the next decade.”

In Vietnam, per PM’s Decision 1131, quantum, aviation-space, and cybersecurity are among 11 strategic technology fields. Quantum enables ultra-secure computing, sensing, and communication; cybersecurity is a vital shield for digital infrastructure; and aviation-space-UAVs drive the space economy, national defense, and modern logistics.

Trung believes that with a young workforce, broad application potential, and large market demand, Vietnam has a golden opportunity to deeply engage in the global value chain, becoming an innovation hub in these strategic fields.

The VNQuantum network focuses on three pillars: research and high-quality workforce training; promoting quantum technology applications in finance, economics, healthcare, security, and defense; and enhancing international cooperation for advanced knowledge transfer.

The ViSecurity network aims to master cybersecurity technology, develop “Make in Vietnam” solutions to protect critical digital infrastructure, and connect experts, businesses, and research institutes with global cybersecurity centers. 

Ngo Tuan Anh, network chair, said: “ViSecurity will play a key role in making Vietnam a leading cybersecurity innovation hub regionally and globally.”

Meanwhile, the UAV Vietnam network seeks to transform Vietnam from a consumer market to a producer and innovator, playing a significant role in the global aviation and space industry value chain.

Dung emphasized that UAV network’s core tasks include connecting experts, supporting research, developing space technology, and applying UAVs in economics, defense, and security.

Recalling a recent visit to the Space Museum of the Vietnam Academy of Science, he noted: “This is a challenging field requiring high expertise, but over the past 10 years, we’ve made efforts and achieved certain successes. I hope the network will collaborate with the space center to build an industry significantly contributing to the economy.”

Opportunities from global shifts

Michael Vu Nguyen, CEO of Boeing Vietnam, believes that Vietnam can master UAV technology. He cited Real-Time Robotics Vietnam (RTR Vietnam), a 100 percent Vietnamese startup with Vietnamese engineers and technology, which has got patents in the US and Australia.

Their flagship product, HERA, can fly unloaded for 56 minutes, carry 1kg for 53 minutes, or operate fully loaded for 13 minutes with an 11km range. Notably, HERA folds into a backpack for easy transport and deployment. It is currently supplied to the US National Security Forces, US police, and Dutch police.

Representing the UAV Vietnam network, Tran Anh Tuan, Standing Vice Chair and CEO, noted that recent US and allied restrictions on importing UAVs and components from China have opened significant opportunities for Vietnam to deepen its global value chain role.

If Vietnam can seize this opportunity, Tuan believes that Vietnam can become a leading ASEAN UAV hub within the next 10 years, with Made in Vietnam products serving domestically and reaching globally.

With nearly 100 members, who are experts, scientists, and engineers worldwide, the UAV network will bridge technology, policy, and markets. The long-term goal is to build a $5 billion UAV industry in Vietnam by 2035.

To turn this into reality, Tuan proposed four key directions: 1/ government procurement or funding, or encouraging private sector investment in R&D for core UAV technologies; 2/ government as a pioneer customer, using UAVs for specific tasks like high-tech agriculture, environment, defense-security, and rescue operations; 3/ financial policies offering incentives and innovation funds to connect public-private investment for key UAV research projects; 4/ and establishing a sandbox testing mechanism for UAV flight trials and technology validation, alongside systems for flight, design, production, manufacturing, and maintenance licensing.

These proposals align with Michael Vu Nguyen’s suggestions, who expressed hope that Vietnam’s UAV industry can grow robustly and compete globally.

Du Lam