Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA)

Introduction about VUSTA

The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) is a socio-political organization of the Vietnamese science and technology intellectuals. VUSTA is organized and operates under the principle of voluntarism and democracy. VUSTA is the biggest network of non-governmental science and technology organizations in Vietnam. Via its nation-wide and multidiscipline network of 77 associations, 63 provincial branches and over 400 affiliated science and technology organizations, VUSTA maintains close relation with and represents for the legitimate rights and voices of the Vietnamese science and technology community. Since its establishment, the organization has served as an effective bridge between the Communist Party, the State, the National Assembly and the Government of Vietnam with its members and affiliations.

The history of VUSTA was traced back to the date of May 18th, 1963 when the First National Congress of the Vietnam Association for Science and Technology Popularization was convened. The date of May 18th has been selected as the Vietnam’s National Science and Technology Day in 2013. The Association was then established to respond to the urgent need of advancing science and technology to serve the reconstruction and development of Vietnam. However, it was until March 26th 1983 that the First National Congress of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations was organized with 14 national scientific and technological associations and one provincial branch. Since its establishment, VUSTA has grown significantly both in terms of organizational size and impact to the overall social and economical development of Vietnam. VUSTA has made significant contributions to the dissemination of science and technology knowledge to the people, to the promotion of scientific research and innovation, to the emergence of large numbers of non-governmental science and technology organizations serving diversified development needs of the country.

VUSTA is national members of many international and regional science, technology and engineering organizations. It maintains cooperative relations with international cooperation agencies, international non-governmental organizations, Embassies of foreign countries to Vietnam and other counterparts concern the development of Viet Nam.

As VUSTA enters into its 7th term (2015-2020), VUSTA committed itself to the coordinated efforts of the entire network for the socio-economic development and international integration of Vietnam, especially in terms of encouraging Vietnamese scientists and engineers, both at home and overseas, to conduct scientific research and innovation, academic exchange, provision of science-based consultancies and recommendations, dissemination of science and technology and international cooperation.

In accordance with the Charter of VUSTA that has been endorsed by the 7th Congress, VUSTA is mandated to the Missions and Functions as follows:

Mission of VUSTA:

1. Gathering and uniting Vietnamese intellectuals in science and technology inside and outside the country, coordinating and guiding the operations of member associations.
2. Acting as a bridge between member associations with the bodies of the Party, State and Vietnam Fatherland Front and other organizations to tackle common issues for the VUSTA intellectuals.
3. Representing and protecting the legal rights and interests of its members, member associations, and Vietnamese intellectuals in science and technology.