Vietnam’s collaboration with France in space technology, initiated through the VNREDSat-1 satellite program, has paved the way for advanced partnerships between the two nations. Launched on May 7, 2013, VNREDSat-1 marks Vietnam’s first venture into Earth observation satellites. It was officially handed over for operation in September of the same year. Despite its initial five-year design lifespan, the satellite impressively remains active in 2026, celebrating its 14th year in service. This program has been instrumental in equipping Vietnam with significant expertise beyond merely operating satellites.
Between 2011 and 2013, Vietnamese engineers underwent rigorous training both in France and Vietnam, gaining valuable experience in system design, satellite operations, and troubleshooting. This training enabled them to independently tackle technical challenges, transitioning from relying on transferred procedures to creating their own innovative solutions. Furthermore, Vietnam established an integrated remote-sensing system that manages imaging requests, satellite control, and the reception, processing, storage, and distribution of data. Since 2020, VNREDSat-1 has provided nearly 30,000 satellite images supporting environmental and natural-resource management, disaster monitoring, scientific research, socio-economic development, and activities related to defense and security.
According to Trần Hồng Thái, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the program has laid a critical technical and human-resource foundation for future satellite endeavors. However, Thái emphasized the need for greater technological self-reliance, which would necessitate advancements in areas such as satellite design, payloads, electronics, flight software, assembly, integration, testing, and ground systems. This call for self-reliance aims at fostering deeper domestic capabilities in satellite technology development.
A new chapter in Vietnam-France cooperation commenced during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Vietnam in May 2025. During this visit, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Airbus Defence and Space, and the French National Centre for Space Studies signed a declaration of intent for long-term collaboration in space technology and Earth observation. The partners are considering a next-generation Earth observation system and exploring technological options for the proposed VNREDSat-2. This collaboration seeks to increase Vietnamese involvement in mission planning, system design, subsystem development, software, testing, and data applications.
Ultimately, the broader objective of this partnership is to transition from merely purchasing satellite systems to co-developing them and mastering the underlying technology. This would empower Vietnamese scientists and engineers to progressively design, operate, troubleshoot, and eventually develop future generations of satellite technology independently. Areas such as control software, remote-sensing image processing, artificial intelligence, ground systems, and selected sensors and payloads offer opportunities for Vietnam to enhance its domestic expertise in this field.