On March 11, 2026, the Department of Science, Engineering and Technology (Ministry of Science and Technology) held a working session with the Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI) to discuss orientations for the implementation of key scientific and technological research programs through 2030.
At the meeting, Dr. Hoang Linh Lan, Head of VPI’s Strategic Science Department, presented VPI’s notable research achievements in recent years, particularly in the fields of petroleum exploration and production; petrochemical processing; safety, environmental protection, and asset integrity; petroleum economics and management; laboratory analytical services; as well as emerging energy sectors.
Regarding VPI’s key research orientations toward 2030, Dr. Nguyen Van Tu – Deputy General Director in charge of VPI – stated that VPI will focus on major research programs, including: enhancing the efficiency of fossil energy production and utilization (EOR technologies, AI‑ and Digital Twin‑based production optimization models, and solutions for marginal fields); developing new and clean energy sources (wind power, geothermal energy, green hydrogen/ammonia, biofuels, and energy storage technologies); promoting supporting industries and automation (robotics testing for operation and maintenance, and manufacturing components for offshore wind power); researching advanced materials and chemicals (nanomaterials, next‑generation battery electrode materials, and materials serving the energy supply chain); and expanding AI applications and digital transformation (AI/ML applications in exploration and production, and Big Data analytics systems). VPI’s leadership also expressed its desire to receive guidance and direction from state management agencies, particularly the Ministry of Science and Technology, regarding specific policy mechanisms to effectively implement research activities and national‑level science and technology programs and projects.
Delivering guidance remarks at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phu Hung, Director of the Department of Science, Engineering and Technology, highly appreciated the results achieved by VPI in recent years, and affirmed that the Ministry of Science and Technology will accompany and support VPI in implementing scientific and technological research programs, thereby contributing to the effective realization of the national energy industry development strategy.
The leadership of the Department of Science, Engineering and Technology also analyzed key new aspects of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, including: the shift from process‑based control to output‑based performance management, representing a fundamental change in scientific research governance; evaluating the effectiveness of science and technology investment on an overall basis rather than by individual tasks; shortening task approval timelines by replacing multi‑step procedures (task identification, proposal development, multiple evaluation rounds); and creating stronger incentives for scientists to commercialize research outcomes.
