The Vietnam-France High-Level Conference on Strategic Technologies and Next-generation Vaccine Development, held in Hanoi on July 9, was organized by the Ministry of Health in coordination with the French Embassy in Vietnam. The event brought together senior Vietnamese and French officials to exchange knowledge and experience in strategic medical technologies, with a particular focus on preventive medicine—an area in which France has long-established expertise, advanced vaccine manufacturing capabilities, global supply chains, and strong research and innovation capacity.
For Vietnam, vaccine manufacturing has become a strategic priority as the country seeks to strengthen healthcare capabilities, meet growing demand for disease prevention, improve health security, respond more effectively to infectious disease outbreaks, and support the government’s long-term economic development goals.
The cooperation is expected to strengthen domestic vaccine manufacturing capabilities, help ensure a stable supply for the National Immunization Program, and support Vietnam’s long-term objective of becoming a regional center for vaccine manufacturing and innovation.
Delegates at the Vietnam-France High-Level Conference on July 9, 2026. Photo courtesy of the organizers |
Under the cooperation roadmap, Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC) and French pharmaceutical company Sanofi are working toward localizing the production of several vaccines with high demand among children and adults. The manufacturing facility, covering more than 26,000 square meters, is expected to begin operations by the end of 2027, with the first vaccine batches produced in Vietnam from 2028. The plant is designed to manufacture approximately 100 million vaccine doses annually.
Speaking at the conference, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said health security has become increasingly linked to national security and sustainable development, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said strengthening domestic capabilities in vaccine research, manufacturing, and supply is important for protecting public health, improving the resilience of the healthcare system, and supporting long-term economic development.
Vietnam has identified vaccines as a strategic technology product as it seeks to strengthen technological self-reliance and increase its participation in the global biotechnology and healthcare value chain.
The government also aims to position Vietnam as a regional center for vaccine manufacturing and innovation over the long term.
French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet said healthcare has been a key pillar of cooperation between France and Vietnam for decades.
He noted that Vietnam imported US$486 million worth of pharmaceutical products from France in 2025, with vaccines accounting for a significant share.
Brochet added that the two countries are preparing to sign a renewed intergovernmental agreement on healthcare cooperation covering medical training, hospital partnerships, research, public health, and innovation.
Stephen Alix, Head of Vaccines, International, at Sanofi, said the cooperation is a long-term initiative encompassing research, workforce development, manufacturing capacity building, and compliance with international quality and safety standards.
 |
Stephen Alix, Head of Vaccines International, Sanofi, speaking at the event. Photo courtesy of the company |
“Sanofi is committed to a long-term partnership with Vietnam and VNVC in research, global knowledge sharing, human resource development, and the advancement of high-quality vaccine manufacturing capabilities, contributing to Vietnam’s vaccine self-sufficiency and strengthening national health security,” Alix said.
Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman and General Director of VNVC, said the company is investing in research, international cooperation, and vaccine manufacturing capacity as Vietnam works to develop strategic healthcare technologies.
 |
Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman and General Director of VNVC, speaking at the event. Photo courtesy of Sanofi |
Dung said the company aims to expand access to vaccines and biological products while increasing domestic supplies of essential vaccines.
The conference also marked a new milestone in the collaboration between Sanofi and VNVC to advance vaccine manufacturing in Vietnam. The partnership began in October 2024 with the signing of an agreement in Paris during Party General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to France, following the elevation of Vietnam-France relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The collaboration was further strengthened during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Vietnam in May 2025, when the two sides exchanged agreements establishing a framework for gradually developing vaccine manufacturing technologies in Vietnam while strengthening local expertise, quality management, and compliance with international standards.
During the conference, representatives of the Central Steering Committee, the government, and the Ministry of Health also presented strategies on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, outlining Vietnam’s priorities for developing strategic technologies and strategic technology products in the next phase of national development.
Comments are closed.