Herschel Space Observatory's infrared view of Cygnus X

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MoU signing on astronomy and astrophysics collaboration between Vietnam National Space Center and National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand

Based on the excellent collaboration between Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) -Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), on the occasions of 40th year anniversary of the bilateral collaboration between Vietnam and Thailand, the two parties signed the memorandum of understanding under the witness of the guest of honor, the Chargé d’affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy in Vietnam, leaders and colleagues from VNSC and NARIT. The signed MOU will help provide the two parties with a committed approach to working more closely together. Each side will create significant activities, such as the promotion of academic, administrative, research and technical exchanges; the promotion of doing joint research projects; assistance to support study and educational opportunities; as well as holding seminars, workshops and conferences in astronomy and astrophysics. In the welcoming speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan said that he was confident that through the efforts and commitment of VNSC and NARIT, they would able to get more achievements, continue to develop stronger relationships and friendships between the parties. He also addressed that VNSC would do its best effort order to provide a successful implementation of the MOU. On the occasion of this event, the Thai delegation also paid visits to University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) and the Institute of Physics discussing possible collaborations with these organizations. On the morning of August 25th 2016, VNSC and NARIT jointly organized a series of public lectures on astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology. The visit of the NARIT delegation was successful. As this is the first MoU of VNSC on astronomy and astrophysics, it will be the opportunity for VNSC to open to more collaborations and boost the development of astronomy and astrophysics in the country.

Workshop on Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics in Vietnam

A small workshop on radio astronomy and astrophysics in Vietnam was held in Hanoi by VATLY with IAU support from April 7th to 11th, 2014, bringing together the whole, but very small, Vietnamese community of astrophysicists as well as participants from China, France, Japan and Korea. Plans for the establishment of a future National Observatory were mentioned and received as the sign of a growing attention and interest of the Government for fundamental science.

International Conference on Gravitation, Astrophysics and Cosmology (IGAC)

The Tenth IGAC was held in Quy Nhon from 17th to 22nd December 2011. It is part of a series of biennial conferences which take place in Asia-Pacific with the goal to favour cooperation among the member countries within an international context, to promote high-level studies on hot topics and to encourage young physicists on these fields. It was organized with the help of Les Rencontres du Vietnam, whose aim is to help education and scientific research in Vietnam. Topics included: Experimental studies of gravity; Quantum gravity; Gravitational waves; Black holes, Wormholes; Strings, Branes and Extra dimensions; Numerical Relativity; Cosmology, Dark matter, Dark energy; Relativistic Astrophysics; Astroparticle Physics, Cosmic rays; Astronomical and space-research instrumentation.

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The main Vietnamese contributions included: Trinh Xuan Thuan on Evidence for Non-Standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, Dam Thanh Son on Viscosity and black holes, Pham Thi Tuyet Nhung on Recent results from the Pierre Auger Observatory on Ultra-High Energy Cosmic rays, Phan Bao Ngoc on The coldest stars in the Universe and Pierre Darriulat on Three limits to the Physical World.

Sunday December 18th was marked by the ground-breaking ceremony of the International Center of Interdisciplinary Science Education (ICISE). The centre aims at developing a network of international cooperation in the world’s scientific research community and serve as a place for Vietnam’s leading scientists to share experience through seminars. The centre is built on a total area of 184,000 m2 at a total cost of US$6 million, of which US$2 million will be spent on the first phase (2011-2013). The Centre includes a 350-seat convention hall, a 150-seat convention hall, research facilities and a resort and recreational area, which will provide international standard services. In his allocution, Professor Nguyen Van Hieu praised the large contributions of Binh Dinh province and of Professor Tran Thanh Van, Chairman of Rencontres du Vietnam. Once completed, the centre, the first such model in Vietnam and Asia, will become a high-quality science and education centre of Binh Dinh province as well as the country as a whole.