Vaccine production cooperation in Viet Nam tied to R&D and technology transfer
<p>On September 16, 2026, in Ha Noi, Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan held a working session with the delegation from Pfizer, led by Mr. Sinan Nevzat Atlig, President of the Latin America Cluster and Emerging Markets.</p>
Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan and Mr. Sinan Nevzat Atlig, President of the Latin America Cluster and Emerging Markets at the working session
At the meeting, Minister Vu Hai Quan emphasized that vaccines are an essential domain for safeguarding public health. In its strategy for science, technology, and innovation development, Viet Nam has identified vaccines as one of its critical strategic technology products.
According to the Minister, Viet Nam's investment attraction policy is gradually shifting. Rather than focusing primarily on manufacturing-centric projects, Viet Nam is prioritizing high-tech and strategic technology enterprises that conduct domestic R&D, transfer technology, boost localization rates, and create added value.
Regarding cooperation proposals in the vaccine field, Minister Vu Hai Quan stated that the Ministry of Science and Technology will coordinate closely with the Ministry of Health based on their respective functions and mandates. Specifically, Ministry of Science and Technology will oversee aspects related to technology, standards, technical regulations, technology appraisal, and policies for high-tech enterprises.
Minister Vu Hai Quan and delegates pose for a photo
The Minister also stressed that cooperation should not stop at adopting production processes, but must bea tied to developing domestic capabilities. Pfizer should focus on training and updating knowledge for Vietnamese researchers and experts regarding technological processes, appraisal, standards, technical regulations, and quality control for modern vaccines.
During the discussion, Mr. Sinan Nevzat Atlig shared that Pfizer is currently discussing with Vietnamese partners the potential transfer of production technology for its 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20). He noted that this technology involves a complex manufacturing process featuring over 20 stages and more than 25 quality control steps.
Pfizer representative added that human resources account for a significant portion of vaccine technology transfer efforts. Dispatching experts to work directly with the local workforce, alongside providing training in production, operation, and quality control, forms a vital component of building tech-receptive capacity./.