When knowledge powers Vietnam - Ireland cooperation

At the Vietnam - Ireland Bilateral Cooperation Conference on Agri-Food System Transformation on the morning of November 4, experts from both nations agreed that knowledge is the "true engine" of this transformation process. Through training programs, joint research, and policy dialogue, Viet Nam and Ireland are jointly shaping a cooperation model where data, human capital, and scientific capacity form the foundation.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Long, Head of International Cooperation at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), stated that cooperation with Ireland has shifted from an "aid project" framework to a "knowledge co-creation partnership." “We are not just receiving technical assistance; we are co-sharing experiences, co-designing research programs, and co-developing training,” he said.

The University serves as Viet Nam’s academic focal point for the Ireland-Vietnam Agri-Food Partnership (IVAP), an initiative connecting the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment with Irish Aid and Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI). Within this framework, research teams from VNUA and their Irish partners are conducting joint projects on food safety, nutritional science, ecological agriculture, and sustainable value chain management.

According to Dr. Long, the strength of this cooperation model is the way knowledge is converted into institutional capacity. The expert groups not only publish scientific papers but also directly participate in policy consulting, helping the Ministry and provinces develop action plans for the Food System Transformation (FST-NAP).

“We consider this the second phase of cooperation, moving from research to implementation. Knowledge must go hand-in-hand with practice, and only when applied at the local level does it gain true vitality,” he expressed.

Echoing this point, Professor Dr. Pham Van Cuong, Deputy Director of VNUA, assessed that the partnership with Ireland is helping to usher in a new generation of scientists who can connect global knowledge with Vietnamese realities.

Since 2021, two Vietnamese scholars have successfully completed master’s programs in Ireland with outstanding achievements, one of whom is continuing his doctoral research. “These students are the natural academic bridge between the two countries,” he noted.

Alongside training, joint research groups between the University and Irish partners have published numerous studies on climate-resilient crop development, improved food safety, management of export agricultural product quality, and sustainable livestock farming. Some results are already being applied in the University’s curriculum and technical guidance materials for farmers.

The University is currently working to establish the Viet Nam-Ireland Sustainable Agri-Food Innovation Center (VICASAI), envisioned as a hub where researchers, students, and businesses from both nations converge to develop initiatives in traceability, data analytics, and clean processing technology transfer.

“We expect this center to become an open space for innovation, where students, businesses, and farmers learn and work together,” said Dr. Cuong.

Co-creation and shared learning

Committing to continued priority resources for Vietnam, Dr. John Rae, Director of Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI), emphasized that knowledge cannot be transmitted in one direction. “True knowledge cooperation is a process of co-creation. Vietnam is not only learning from Ireland but also helping us better understand the dynamics of a transforming agricultural economy,” he shared.

Dr. Rae believes Viet Nam has a unique advantage in linking traditional knowledge with modern technology, from indigenous farming skills to the application of big data. “This is a valuable learning resource for all of Europe. We learned that no model is good enough without community participation,” he continued.

He proposed expanding cooperation between the institutes and universities of both countries in climate-smart agriculture, food safety, and value chain analysis, while also promoting scholar exchange programs and policy workshops.

Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin endorsed this view, stating that cooperation between Vietnam and Ireland in agriculture has entered a new phase, where knowledge has become the most sustainable connector. “Both nations have long agricultural histories and a deep understanding of the importance of safe food, nutrition, and accountability,” she said.

She noted that Ireland's Origin Green program, a national sustainability certification model, has inspired many countries, including Vietnam. “The strength of Origin Green is not in the regulations, but in the knowledge, the way each business understands and commits itself to sustainable development values,” she informed.

According to the Ambassador, Viet Nam is moving in the right direction by heavily investing in human resource training, academic cooperation, and applied research. “If knowledge is the seed, cooperation is the soil for it to grow,” she emphasized.

Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director General of the International Cooperation Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), viewed the Viet Nam-Ireland cooperation as a "model" for North-South collaboration, founded on knowledge and trust. “This is not just technical cooperation; it is a dialogue between partners who share a common vision for sustainable development,” he stated.