Vietnam : space technology as a driver of development and security
Vietnam has identified the research, development and mastery of space technology as a priority within its national science and technology agenda. This direction places space activities at the core of economic development and national security. With an existing technological base and timely policy support, Vietnam’s space sector is entering a phase where major advances are increasingly within reach.
On the history of space technology research, Pham Anh Tuan, General Director of Vietnam Space, said the country began applying remote sensing in the 1980s. The drive to master satellite technology accelerated after 2006, when the Prime Minister approved a strategy for the research and application of space technology through 2020. This marked a turning point in shaping long-term national capability.
Since that time, Vietnam has launched several satellites. These include VINASat-1, launched in 2008, and VINASat-2, launched in 2012, followed by VNREDSat-1 and PicoDragon in 2013, then MicroDragon in 2019 and NanoDragon in 2021.
A notable recent milestone is LOTUSat-1, the country’s first Earth observation radar satellite, which has completed production and is ready for launch. These achievements show the steady growth of technical and operational foundations that will support the next stage of national capability.
Tuan stated that a practical roadmap for the next ten to twenty years is to develop a constellation of small Earth observation satellites aligned with national needs in disaster reduction, climate action, agriculture, environmental protection, infrastructure development and maritime management. This approach would strengthen the country’s ability to monitor and respond to challenges linked to natural resources development and national security.
Despite this progress, experts point out that Vietnam’s space technology still faces key challenges. Coordination among ministries and agencies remains limited, and a lack of long-term strategies, detailed legislation and unified technical standards has led to fragmented and inefficient investment.
Furthermore, the workforce has grown, but the number of specialists remains small, and there is no well-defined skills framework or incentive system for system engineers or chief designers. Space research also requires significant investment, long development cycles and acceptance of higher risk, which can lessen domestic participation.
The government has demonstrated commitment to strengthening the sector through a series of important policies. The Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation identifies the research and application of space technologies as a priority area.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has listed aerospace technology among eleven strategic technology groups, and the National Assembly’s policy on piloting satellite-based telecommunications services provides legal framework for wider application and development.
Attention to the workforce and infrastructure has also increased. The Vietnam Space Centre has built a core team through master’s and doctoral programmes in satellite technology conducted in Japan, combined with practical experience in satellite design, integration, testing and operation.
The centre has partnered with Vietnam National University Hanoi, the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, and the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology to train students in space disciplines, fostering a new generation of system engineers and chief designers for national satellite projects and data platforms.
Infrastructure for the sector has steadily developed. Vietnam now operates satellite data reception and processing stations and has established a satellite integration and testing centre. A newly established private enterprise has begun operating across six sectors, including aircraft manufacturing, spacecraft production and telecommunications satellites, signalling rising industry interest and adding fresh momentum to the sector’s future growth.
The opening of the Vietnam Space Museum adds a public-facing space that supports education outreach and awareness. With policy direction in place and growing capacity in human resources and infrastructure, choosing the right development path will be essential for the country’s long-term space ambitions.
Opengovasia.com – November 26, 2025