Vietnam and France have forged a significant partnership in space technology, beginning with the VNREDSat-1 satellite program. This collaboration has set the stage for future advancements in next-generation satellites, technology transfer, training, and the enhancement of Vietnam’s domestic capabilities. VNREDSat-1, launched on May 7, 2013, marked Vietnam’s inaugural venture into Earth observation satellites and was operationally handed over in September of the same year. Although initially designed to last five years, the satellite impressively remains functional into 2026, its 14th year of service.
The program has been instrumental in advancing Vietnam’s technical expertise beyond just satellite operation. Between 2011 and 2013, Vietnamese engineers undertook comprehensive training in both France and Vietnam, focusing on system design, satellite operations, and problem-solving. This training empowered the engineers to address technical challenges independently, transitioning from merely following transferred procedures to crafting their own solutions. Additionally, Vietnam has developed an integrated remote-sensing system capable of handling imaging requests, satellite control, and data processes, which has been operational since 2020. This system has provided nearly 30,000 satellite images for various sectors, including environmental management, disaster monitoring, scientific research, and national defense.
Trần Hồng Thái, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, highlighted the program’s role in laying a crucial foundation for future satellite endeavors. However, he emphasized the need for Vietnam to achieve greater technological independence, particularly in areas like satellite design, payloads, electronics, flight software, assembly, integration, testing, and ground systems. This ambition for self-reliance aligns with a broader goal of moving from purchasing satellite systems to co-developing and mastering the technology, thereby enabling Vietnamese scientists and engineers to independently design, operate, and develop future satellite generations.
The collaboration between the two nations entered a new phase during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Vietnam in May 2025. This visit saw the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Airbus Defence and Space, and the French National Centre for Space Studies signing a declaration of intent to continue their long-term cooperation in space technology and Earth observation. They are currently exploring the development of a next-generation Earth observation system and considering technological options for the proposed VNREDSat-2.
Future collaboration is expected to significantly involve Vietnam in mission planning, system design, subsystem development, software creation, testing, and data application. By focusing on areas such as control software, remote-sensing image processing, artificial intelligence, ground systems, and selected sensors and payloads, Vietnam aims to build stronger domestic expertise. This strategy not only enhances Vietnam’s capabilities but also positions it to take on a more prominent role in the global space technology sector.