VinFuture has earned its derserving place on the global stage

– This year marks the fifth anniversary of the VinFuture Prize. Looking back, how would you assess its mission and significance?

From humble beginnings, VinFuture has secured a well-deserved place on the global map of science and technology. I believe its success is inseparable from the broader success of science devoted to humanity—recognizing works that advance sustainable development and improve the lives of billions.

I take great pride in the Council’s choices over the years. I’m really proud of the vast and variety of people being recognized, the technology and science sectors being recognized. Our deliberations have always been constructive and guided by integrity. The diversity of laureates—across disciplines, geographies, and backgrounds—reflects VinFuture’s humanistic and inclusive vision.

I think we’ve had a very good start to what promises to be a long and meaningful journey. I hope VinFuture will continue, in its own distinctive way, to contribute to shaping a more sustainable and compassionate future for the world.

– In your view, what words best capture the essence of VinFuture after its first five years?

My words are: Excellent science, mind-blowing technology and equality. These three values define what makes the VinFuture Prize truly exceptional and profoundly relevant to the future of humankind.

As long as VinFuture remains true to its core mission—celebrating excellent science, pioneering technology, and equality through respect for diversity—I am confident that it will continue on the right path, contributing to a mission that transcends borders and generations.

– From the outset, what convinced you to believe in the vision and mission of this Prize?

There are many prizes for science in the world, and scientists are recognized in many different ways—for their overall career, for particular scientific achievements. But the VinFuture Prize definitely stands out with the original idea that it will be awarded for an invention which has changed and revolutionized the way we live. VinFuture is a very special idea, a very special prize, and that’s why it was very exciting for me to join the Prize Council and to work on its mission.

I should say that it’s quite a challenging yet compelling task because many amazing discoveries haven’t yet materialized into applications, and many applications which we use now already have roots in discoveries decades ago. But still, quite surprisingly, we see quite a few recent technological breakthroughs which have been converted into real-life applications. So, it’s really exciting to learn about those, to search for those, and to recognize the brilliant minds behind such advances is an intellectually enriching and profoundly meaningful journey.

the “Science for Life” Symposia, organized annually by the VinFuture Foundation, explores pivotal themes shaping global technological advancement. Photo: VFP.

Vietnam is charting a new chapter through knowledge and creativity

– Many works honored by VinFuture—such as mRNA technology, AlphaFold, and GLP-1—later received other prestigious global accolades, including the Nobel Prize. What does this suggest about VinFuture’s evaluation process?

It speaks of the vision and pioneering nature of VinFuture’s evaluation process. I should say that the evaluation of the submissions is a very tough job, and we should realize that the Prize Council only assesses a few percent of the total submissions. In fact, there is very hard work by the Prize Secretariat, the Pre-Screening Committee, and then also very intensive work by the Prize Council.

Each year, we have to educate ourselves very intensively in many different areas of science. It’s tough, but it’s very exciting work, and every year we wait for this selection process to happen, which allows us to learn, discover, and be inspired by the groundbreaking achievements we evaluate.

– How do you perceive the Prize’s role in connecting the international scientific community with Vietnam’s growing innovation ecosystem?

Vietnam has always held a respected place on the scientific map of the world, and Vietnamese scientists are among the leading researchers in many leading institutions across the globe. But what we see now is the growth of the innovation and technology sector in Vietnam—where science is no longer merely knowledge, but a national aspiration for progress.

And of course, the establishment of the VinFuture Prize is extremely timely. From an idea conceived in Vietnam, VinFuture has embarked on a remarkable five-year journey—bridging the world’s greatest scientists, inspiring science for humanity, and highlighting Vietnam’s growing role on the global scientific map.

I believe that VinFuture raises the reputation of Vietnamese science and Vietnamese technology even higher, and embodies the vision, capability, and resolve of Vietnam—a nation confidently charting a new chapter in its development, one powered by knowledge and creativity.

– Thank you very much, Professor.