The University of Oxford has signed three major agreements with leading Vietnamese partners, strengthening cooperation in healthcare, higher education and climate-focused aviation research. The partnerships were formalised during a visit by To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who met Oxford leaders to deepen academic and innovation links between the two countries.

The visit included the signing of agreements with two Oxford research centres and the formal launch of a new scholarship scheme for Vietnamese scholars.

Oxford Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey welcomed the delegation, stating: “Oxford has a proud tradition of global partnership — of sharing knowledge across borders to advance education, discovery and public good. These new agreements reflect our shared commitment to nurturing talent, supporting innovation, and addressing the challenges that face our world today.”

A key outcome of the visit was the establishment of the Tam Anh Oxford Partnership (TOP), formed through a Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam’s Tam Anh Research Institute and Oxford’s International Health and Tropical Medicine Group in the Nuffield Department of Medicine. The partnership will focus on research, training and health capacity-building, particularly in preventive healthcare and diagnostics for non-communicable diseases — a growing health challenge in Vietnam.

Professor Proochista Araiana described the collaboration as “an exciting time for such a partnership” as Vietnam continues rapid economic growth and advances in healthcare innovation.

In sustainable aviation, Oxford Net Zero, led by Professor Myles Allen, signed a partnership with Vietnamese airline VietJet to support the £1.6 million Net Zero Aviation Project in cooperation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The project will research “geologically balanced fuels” — an emerging climate solution that aims to neutralise airline emissions by capturing and permanently storing equivalent CO₂ underground. The study runs through mid-2026 and will also assess public perception, policy implications and long-term viability.

Alongside the research partnerships, Oxford and Vietnamese entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao officially launched the Pioneer Scholarship Scheme. The programme provides fully funded postgraduate scholarships to outstanding Vietnamese students and researchers. Endowed jointly by Dr Thao (£13.7 million) and the University (£4.1 million), it has already supported 11 scholars in areas including education, public policy and genomic medicine.

Together, the agreements mark a significant expansion of Vietnam-Oxford cooperation, focused on shared priorities including innovation, sustainability and global talent development.