Five years after its founding, the Vietnam-based VinFuture Prize has become a global symbol of optimism and confidence in science serving humanity.
What began as an ambitious idea five years ago has become a global symbol of faith in science’s power to transform humanity. The VinFuture Prize, founded in Vietnam during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now marking its fifth anniversary as one of the world’s emerging platforms for honoring scientific breakthroughs that improve lives.
Professor Sir Richard Henry Friend, Chair of the VinFuture Prize Council, said the award represents a spirit of optimism and a belief in science as a force for progress. “We can make the world better. We count what has been good and we celebrate it,” he told reporters, describing the prize as “a journey of curiosity, discovery, and learning.”
Reflecting on the prize’s evolution, Professor Friend acknowledged that many were initially skeptical about whether a science award from Vietnam could gain international recognition. “But now,” he said, “VinFuture proudly celebrates a wonderful list of laureates from all over the world.”
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The prize has so far recognized four sets of winners, with the fifth to be announced later this year. Among its most celebrated laureates are the scientists behind mRNA vaccine technology, who went on to win the Nobel Prize. Their visit to Hanoi in 2022, amid global lockdowns, remains one of the award’s most memorable moments.
Professor Friend emphasized that VinFuture is not limited by traditional academic boundaries. “It’s not about chemistry or physics,” he said. “It’s everything that can create a better future for humanity.” The Council’s broad approach, he added, allows for bold decisions — sometimes awarding fields “ahead of where others later arrive.”
Beyond its global impact, VinFuture has also become a source of national pride for Vietnam. The annual VinFuture Sci-Tech Week in Hanoi brings together scientists, innovators, and thinkers from around the world, fostering discussions on how science can address pressing global challenges.
Professor Friend believes the prize has helped elevate Vietnam’s visibility as a growing hub for innovation and scientific dialogue. “The eagerness to make the world better and to make things happen in Vietnam shines through very strongly,” he said. “The Vietnamese people are fully capable of achieving truly great things.”
Now entering its next phase, the VinFuture Prize stands as a testament to optimism — a vision that celebrates science not just as discovery, but as hope for humanity.
Africa Daily News, New York
