More than 100 scientists, experts and representatives from Vietnamese businesses operating in Belgium and other European countries on March 7 gathered at a workshop on Vietnam–European Union (EU) cooperation in science, technology and trade, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) applications in many sectors.

Speakers at an in-depth discussion session.

Co-organised by the Embassy of Vietnam in Belgium and Luxembourg and the Vietnamese Mission to the EU, in coordination with the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in Belgium and Luxembourg (ViLaB) and the Vietnam Business Association in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg (VBAB), the workshop was seen as an important forum connecting Vietnamese intellectuals across Europe to foster cooperation in high-tech sectors, particularly AI.

It featured four in-depth discussion sessions with nearly 20 speakers from Vietnam and Europe, covering AI applications in digital transformation, economic development, trade, energy, nuclear medicine and biotechnology.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao highlighted the flourishing development of the Vietnam – EU relations, as well as the bilateral ties between Vietnam with Belgium and Luxembourg, especially in the fields of trade, investment, climate change adaptation and green development.

He noted that under the joint statement on the Vietnam–EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in January, science, technology and innovation have been identified as important pillars of cooperation for the coming period.

According to ViLaB President Phung Quoc Tri, as innovation and digital transformation are becoming major drivers of economic growth worldwide, the workshop aimed to foster connections between scientists, businesses and research organisations from Vietnam and the EU, paving the way for future collaborative projects.

VBAB President Nguyen Thanh Vinh said the event marked the first large-scale AI workshop in Europe organised by Vietnamese associations. He noted that many businesses, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, are keen to adopt AI but lack clear strategies, therefore engagement with experts and researchers could help them identify suitable solutions.

Meanwhile, Dr Nguyen Duy Cu, Vice President of ViLaB, emphasised that stronger international cooperation is essential to improving scientific and technological capacity as AI becomes a major force driving global innovation.

According to the expert, Europe has strong foundations in technology, education and scientific research, while Vietnam benefits from a young, dynamic workforce capable of rapidly adopting new technological trends. Connecting these complementary strengths could significantly boost scientific and technological development.

Speakers also shared technological advances and experiences in research cooperation between Vietnam and Europe.

Prof. Geert Angenon from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) noted that collaboration with Vietnamese partners in biotechnology could pave the way for a range of cooperative programmes between universities and research institutes.

Participants also discussed practical technology applications, including the use of robotics in dairy farming and biotechnology solutions for soil remediation and clean agriculture.

Beyond academic exchanges, the event underscored the increasingly important role of Vietnamese intellectuals in Europe in connecting knowledge, technology and international resources for Vietnam’s development.

Such initiatives are expected to help make science and technology, especially AI - a key bridge for deepening Vietnam–EU relations in the future.

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