The first Global Young Vietnamese Intellectual Forum is taking place in Da Nang from 28- 29 November, looking to capitalise on the strength of the young intelligentsia in the Industry 4.0 era.

Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh addressing the Wednesday opening ceremony of the first Global Young Vietnamese Intellectual Forum

The event, held by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, attracts a total of 200 young domestic and overseas Vietnamese intellectuals. In detail, 130 come from within the country and the remainder from abroad, all aged below 35 years old.

Themed ‘Tapping the power of young Vietnamese intellectuals in the 4.0 era’, the forum focuses on the promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to build high-quality human resources in Industry 4.0, the application of Industry 4.0 technologies in environmental protection and climate change response, and the enhancement of innovation in production and business activities.

In his remarks at the forum’s Wednesday opening ceremony, Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said that after more than 3 decades of reforms, Viet Nam has obtained enormous achievements in national construction and defence, which has been greatly contributed to by Vietnamese intellectuals, including the young, both at home and abroad.

The Party, State and people of Viet Nam always treasure their significant contributions, he added.

He noted that the forum provides a platform for the national government to consult young intellectuals about issues crucial to the country’s progress.

Deputy Prime Minister Binh also noted the forum is also a best place for young intellectuals to discuss visions, missions, and roles for national construction and development, and Viet Nam’s international integration, and an opportunity to suggest mechanisms for the national government to attain its development goals.

Also at the event, First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee Le Quoc Phong highlighted the significance of the forum in encouraging young Vietnamese intellectuals to give their best ideas about realising fulfill national development goals, and offering a channel through which domestic agencies consult the intelligentsia on ways to deal with difficulties and challenges facing the nation.

During the 2-day event, a specific report on constructive recommendations made by the participants and the theme for next year’s event will be released.

Besides, a global network for young Vietnamese intellectuals and staff in charge of running the forum will also debut.

At present, it is reported that there are more than 400,000 overseas Vietnamese intellectuals, including over 6,000 doctorate degree holders and hundreds of global well-known ones.

Up to 150,000 are working in the US – of whom, about 12,000 working in Silicon Valley, upwards 100 at the World Bank, 40,000 in France, 20,000 in Canada, 4,000 in Eastern Europe and Russia, and 7,000 in Australia.