Professor and Academician Chau Van Minh, who connected Vietnamese science to the world and elevated its global standing
With nearly 500 research publications and recognition from numerous prestigious international organizations, Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh has contributed to connecting Vietnamese science with the world and elevating its global standing.
On February 27 in Hanoi, the Party Committee of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) held a conference to announce a personnel decision issued by the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organizations.
According to the announced decision, Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh – Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) – was appointed as a member of the Executive Committee and the Standing Committee of the VUSTA Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term. He was concurrently designated to serve as Secretary of the VUSTA Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term.
Mr. Nguyen Phi Long, Member of the Party Central Committee and Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organizations, presents the appointment decision to Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh. Photo: Gia Dat.
Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh is one of Vietnam’s leading scientists in the field of biochemistry of natural compounds. He has published nearly 500 scientific papers and holds more than 40 patents and utility solutions – figures that reflect the depth and sustained dedication of a rigorous scientific career.
ENHANCING THE INTERNATIONAL STANDING OF VIETNAMESE SCIENCE
Since 2008, in his capacity as President of VAST, he has directly directed and coordinated numerous key national science and technology programs. These include the Central Highlands Program 3; Vietnam’s Earth observation satellite development program; the establishment of the national natural history museum system; and the development project of the Vietnam – France University of Science and Technology (USTH), an international public university. These initiatives have not only laid the foundation for modern research infrastructure but have also helped shape the long-term strategic orientation of Vietnam’s science and technology development.
Prof. Academician Kraniskov, President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presents the certificate of Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences to Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh. Photo: VAST.
Notably, in Vietnam – Russia scientific cooperation, Prof. Chau Van Minh has been recognized as one of the key figures driving substantive and effective collaboration. He has contributed to the development and implementation of joint marine research roadmaps between VAST and the Russian Academy of Sciences, and directed the organization of joint expeditions aboard the Russian research vessels “Akademik Oparin” and “Akademik Lavrentyev” operating in Vietnam’s East Sea waters.
He has also promoted cooperation in research and human resource training in nuclear physics with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna, while expanding interdisciplinary research programs in advanced materials, pharmaceutical chemistry and biotechnology, nuclear physics, and space technology with various Russian research institutes and universities.
This series of cooperative initiatives has not only deepened fundamental research at VAST, but also facilitated the training of highly qualified scientific personnel, gradually enhancing the international integration capacity of Vietnamese science. At the same time, these efforts have made tangible contributions to strengthening the Vietnam – Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the fields of science and education.
Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh, who has contributed to connecting Vietnamese science with the world and elevating its global standing. Photo: VAST.
Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh was elected a Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences – one of the world’s leading scientific institutions with more than 300 years of history – at its General Assembly held on May 29-30, 2025. With this distinction, he became the fourth academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences from VAST, alongside Prof. Academician Tran Dai Nghia, Prof. Academician Nguyen Van Hieu, and Prof. Academician Dang Vu Minh. He is also a member of three international academies: the Russian Academy of Sciences; the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus; and the International Association of Academies of Sciences (IAAS).
Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh speaks at the medal awarding ceremony.
Earlier, in 2021, he was awarded the Legion of Honour – the highest decoration of the French Republic – in recognition of his significant contributions to promoting research cooperation, technology transfer, and academic training between Vietnam and French partners.
SCIENTIST NOMINATED AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh was born in 1961 in Hue City. From 1985 to 2007, he worked at the Institute of Natural Products Chemistry under the Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology (now the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology).
Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh addresses the conference. Photo: Government.
In 2007, he was appointed Vice President of the Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology. Since 2008, he has served as Secretary of the Party Committee and President of VAST.
He is a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam for the 11th, 12th, and 13th tenures, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Government Party Committee for its first tenure.
In addition, Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh served as a member of the Interdisciplinary Professorial Council for Chemistry - Food Technology for the 2009-2014 term, and later as Vice Chairman of the State Professorial Council for the 2018-2023 term.
On January 16, VAST convened a conference to implement the nomination process for candidates to the 16th National Assembly, introducing Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh. At the meeting, 100 percent of attending delegates voted in favor of nominating him as a candidate for the 16th National Assembly.
Delegates noted that Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh is not only a scientist of high national and international standing but also an experienced science administrator. Many expressed confidence that he would effectively represent the voice of the science and technology community at the National Assembly.
Speaking at the conference on February 27 upon assuming his new assignment at VUSTA, he stated that VUSTA’s more than 40-year tradition of development provides a solid foundation for its officials and staff to move forward with renewed aspirations and to contribute more substantially to the cause of national construction and defense. He affirmed his commitment to working closely with the leadership and all officials and employees of VUSTA to strengthen Party building within the Union, uphold unity and integrity, and successfully fulfill the tasks entrusted by the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations.
