Arabfields, Meriem Senouci, Correspondent, Hanoï, Vietnam — Vietnam and Hungary are seeking to deepen cooperation in agricultural research, biotechnology and digital farming, as both countries look to strengthen scientific innovation and improve the resilience of food production.
The initiative gained momentum following a meeting on October 14 between Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Bui Le Thai and Csaba Gyuricza, rector of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE). The discussions focused on expanding academic partnerships, facilitating technology transfers and developing joint research programmes with practical applications for agriculture.
The proposed cooperation comes as Vietnam pursues a shift towards a growth model driven by science, innovation and digital transformation. For its agricultural sector, the challenge is to improve productivity while responding to climate change, rising production costs and the need to preserve the quality of agricultural goods.
Biotechnology and climate-resilient crop breeding were among the priority areas identified during the meeting. Researchers from the two countries could explore opportunities to develop crop varieties better suited to changing weather conditions, while strengthening techniques for processing and preserving agricultural products.
Such collaboration could prove particularly valuable for Vietnamese farmers and food businesses seeking to reduce post-harvest losses and maintain product quality during storage and transport. Improvements in processing technology can help producers retain more value from their harvests rather than relying solely on increased production.
The discussions also covered sustainable aquaculture, smart farming and the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture. These technologies could support more efficient resource management, improve monitoring of crop and livestock conditions, and help farmers make better-informed decisions.
For smaller agricultural producers, however, the benefits will depend on whether new technologies can be adapted to local conditions and introduced at an affordable cost. Training, access to equipment and cooperation between universities and businesses will be important in translating research into practical results.
MATE has already established cooperation with Vietnamese universities in scientific research, food technology and joint training programmes. Gyuricza expressed the university’s willingness to expand these relationships, welcome Vietnamese researchers for research stays and develop educational programmes tailored to Vietnam’s needs.
The existing partnership also has a human dimension. A total of 51 Vietnamese students are currently studying at MATE, from undergraduate programmes to doctoral research. Their participation provides a foundation for continued academic exchanges and the development of professional networks between the two countries.
For students and researchers, closer institutional ties could create additional opportunities to gain international experience, access specialised facilities and participate in projects addressing agricultural challenges. Over time, these exchanges could also support collaboration between research institutions and private companies.
Vietnamese Ambassador Bui Le Thai said the Vietnamese embassy in Hungary was ready to facilitate contacts between MATE, Vietnamese universities, research institutions and businesses. The aim is to strengthen connections that could lead to joint projects and more effective technology transfer.
Beyond education, agricultural cooperation offers opportunities to build commercial relationships. Hungarian expertise in agricultural science and life sciences could complement Vietnam’s needs in food processing, aquaculture and climate adaptation. Vietnamese partners, meanwhile, could provide opportunities for research and technology testing in tropical agricultural environments.
The immediate challenge will be to turn discussions into projects with measurable outcomes. Joint research requires sustained financing, clear institutional commitments and mechanisms for sharing scientific knowledge. Businesses must also be able to adopt the resulting technologies if the partnership is to generate wider economic benefits.
