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VIETNAM‑JAPAN SPACE HORIZONS 2026 FORUM Held
May 10, 2026
From Thursday, March 12, to Sunday, March 15, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (hereinafter referred to as “JICA”), the Japan External Trade Organization (hereinafter referred to as “JETRO”), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (hereinafter referred to as “JAXA”) co-hosted the VIETNAM-JAPAN SPACE HORIZONS 2026 FORUM with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as “VAST”) and the Vietnam National Space Center (hereinafter referred to as “VNSC”) to promote cooperation between the governments, space agencies, and private companies in the space sector of both Japan and Viet Nam. With over 800 participants visiting the venue, the event provided momentum for further collaboration between Japan and Viet Nam in the space sector.
1．VIETNAM-JAPAN SPACE HORIZONS 2026 FORUM
The event was attended by a wide range of representatives from both Japan and Viet Nam. From Japan, attendees included the Embassy of Japan in Viet Nam (Ambassador Ito), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Deputy Director-General Hatada, the Manufacturing Industries Bureau), JAXA (President Yamakawa), JICA (Director Kobayashi), and JETRO (Chairman Hirano). Representing the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam were then- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, VAST (President Tran Hong Thai), VNSC (Director Pham Anh Tuan), other government agencies, universities, and 22 space-related companies.
At this forum, an opening ceremony was held for the Hoa Lac Space Center, which will serve as Viet Nam's core hub in the space sector, including satellite operations, that was established using Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Furthermore, through booth exhibitions by the space agencies and private companies of Japan and Viet Nam, panel discussions, business matching, and capacity-building events, industry, academia, and government exchanged views and interacted in a wide range of fields, including satellite technology, data applications and AI, space science and education, and the new space economy. As a result, several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between relevant organizations and companies from both countries during this forum.
Japan highlighted the significance of the deepened cooperation in the space sector through projects such as the LOTUSat-1, an Earth observation satellite, developed under Japan's ODA program; the achievement of mutual benefit for both Japan and Viet Nam by supporting Japanese companies in collaborative efforts with the Vietnamese government, space agencies, and companies; and the expectation for the creation of new collaborative efforts that will benefit both countries in the future.
From Viet Nam, Prime Minister Chinh stated that the opening of the Hoa Lac Space Center marks an important milestone in Viet Nam's space sector and symbolizes the deepening of cooperation between Japan and Viet Nam. He also expressed his hope for the further deepening of Japan-Viet Nam cooperation, including the active participation of Japanese companies in Vietnamese projects. Prime Minister Chinh carefully observed the exhibits from Japanese space agencies and companies.
Related Links (in Japanese)
Division in Charge
Space Industry Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau