On the night of December 5, the Ho Guom Theatre in Hanoi became a global center of scientific celebration as hundreds of researchers gathered for the 2025 VinFuture Prize ceremony. In a moment watched closely by the global scientific community, the winners of the prestigious million-dollar prize were announced.

Speaking at the event, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to collaborating with the international scientific community in addressing humanity’s shared challenges.

This year marks the fifth edition of the VinFuture Prize, held under the theme “Boundless Unity – Thriving Together,” calling for global progress rooted in solidarity, shared prosperity, and inclusive opportunity.

According to NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, the prize has gone beyond honoring exceptional scientific work - it has created valuable platforms for dialogue among scientists, businesses, and policymakers. These interactions have sparked new ideas, collaborative models, and impactful innovation.

He emphasized Vietnam’s desire to deepen academic exchange, cultivate high-quality human resources, enhance technology transfer, and advance sustainable and inclusive development through global cooperation. Citing General Secretary To Lam, he remarked: “Scientific and technological advancement, innovation, and digital transformation are not merely options, but essential paths for survival.”

The $3 million grand prize of VinFuture 2025 was awarded to four American scientists: Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, Dr. John T. Schiller, Dr. Aimée R. Kreimer, and Professor Maura L. Gillison, for their groundbreaking work on HPV vaccines that prevent tumors caused by the human papillomavirus.

Foundational research by Drs. Lowy and Schiller on HPV’s capsid proteins led to the development of highly effective vaccines that have prevented millions of cervical cancer cases, particularly in developing countries. Building on their work, Dr. Kreimer's single-dose HPV vaccine regimen, now recommended by the World Health Organization, has dramatically improved vaccine accessibility.

Simultaneously, research by Prof. Gillison and Dr. Kreimer established a link between HPV and head and neck cancers, underscoring the broader protective impact of HPV vaccination. Their achievements have saved and will continue to save countless lives in decades to come.

In addition to the grand prize, VinFuture 2025 also presented three special awards of $500,000 each to outstanding scientists in emerging fields, women scientists, and scientists from developing countries.

The special prize for a scientist from a developing country was awarded to Prof. María Esperanza Martínez-Romero from Mexico for her advancements in microbial ecology and symbiotic nitrogen fixation in tropical ecosystems. Her discovery of several new Rhizobium species has expanded understanding of microbial taxonomy and plant-microbe interactions in agriculture - contributing to sustainable farming amidst resource constraints.

The special prize for a female scientist went to Prof. Mary-Claire King (USA) for her discovery of the BRCA1 gene, a breakthrough in identifying genetic risks for breast and ovarian cancer. Her work laid the foundation for genetic screening and personalized medicine. Locating the BRCA1 gene on chromosome 17q21 in 1990 - before the human genome was fully sequenced - marked a turning point in global cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

The special prize for pioneers in emerging fields honored five scientists: Prof. Venkatesan Sundaresan (USA), Prof. Raphaël Mercier (Germany), Dr. Emmanuel Guiderdoni (France), Dr. Imtiyaz Khanday (USA), and Dr. Delphine Mieulet (France) for their innovations in developing self-propagating hybrid rice.

Hybrid crops typically yield better results than their parents, but producing hybrid rice seeds - the staple for over half the global population - is complex and costly, limiting access for many farmers. The group’s research leveraged developmental biology and genetics to create rice seeds that inherit superior traits through self-pollination. This innovation enhances yields, reduces seed costs, and boosts global food security.

Commenting on this year’s winners, Prof. Richard Friend, Chair of the VinFuture Prize Council, said: “The VinFuture 2025 laureates have created scientific breakthroughs that tangibly improve human health and food security. From vaccines and genetic understanding to resilient crop development, their work demonstrates the transformative power of science driven by compassion and global collaboration. When knowledge serves humanity, it not only expands our understanding of the world - it sustains and protects life.”

After five successful editions, the VinFuture Prize has become one of the world’s most respected science and technology awards, with 6,132 nominations from nearly 110 countries and territories across five continents, honoring 48 exceptional scientists. Their recognized contributions - from clean energy and AI to biomedical technology and agricultural innovation - are creating profound changes that enhance lives and shape humanity’s future.

The award ceremony and VinFuture Science and Technology Week have become key platforms for global knowledge exchange, connecting scientists, policymakers, and business leaders in the pursuit of a more sustainable, humane, and prosperous future.

Notably, over the past five years, the VinFuture Foundation and its Prize have persistently connected global scientific excellence with Vietnam’s research community - providing opportunity and inspiration for local science while positioning Vietnam as a trusted destination for international collaboration, where creativity is nurtured and shared for the benefit of humanity.