Vietnam MoST and Singapore partners advance establishment of VAMRC
The Vietnam Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (VAMRC) is expected to serve as a shared platform for research and validation of advanced manufacturing technologies, fostering innovation, enterprise capabilities, and science and technology (S&T) cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore.
On July 15, 2026, in Hanoi, Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan held a working session with H.E. Rajpal Singh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to Vietnam, representatives of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and Becamex IDC to discuss the proposed establishment of the Viet Nam Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (VAMRC).
During the meeting, the participants discussed the development of VAMRC as a shared research centre that connects enterprises, universities, research institutes, and technology solution providers.
The Centre is expected to receive challenges from enterprises for research, testing, and technology validation prior to industrial deployment, thereby helping reduce costs, minimise risks, and accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
VAMRC will focus on key areas including automation, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) for manufacturing, factory digital transformation, green manufacturing, and supply chain resilience.
At the meeting, Minister Vu Hai Quan urged the partners to expedite the preparation of the Centre's establishment proposal, with particular attention to defining its functions, operational model, financing mechanism, and approaches to engaging enterprises.
According to the Minister, VAMRC should be driven by the practical needs of the manufacturing sector and focus on generating research outcomes that can be rapidly tested, transferred, and deployed in factories.
Sharing Singapore's experience, representatives of A*STAR noted that the Centre should initially be supported through investment in facilities, research equipment, a core research team, and pilot research programmes. In addition, enterprises should be involved from the outset by jointly identifying industrial challenges and contributing resources to ensure that research outcomes effectively address market demands.
Concluding the meeting, Minister Vu Hai Quan welcomed the VAMRC initiative and reaffirmed that the Ministry of Science and Technology would work closely with Becamex and A*STAR throughout the Centre's establishment and development in Vietnam.
The Ministry will consider supporting VAMRC as a national shared research centre while coordinating with relevant stakeholders to develop appropriate support mechanisms and strengthen human resource development for research, technology testing, and technology transfer activities.
VAMRC is expected to become a flagship model of collaboration among the Government, research institutes, universities, and enterprises in advanced manufacturing, while further advancing science and technology cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore.
Copyright belongs to the Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology (VJST-MOST).