Empowering Women in STEM: Viet Nam’s Path Towards Innovation and Gender Equality
The year 2025 signifies multiple important milestones, including the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) on February 11 and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. These events emphasize the global push for gender equality and the empowerment of women. In recognition of the importance of inclusivity, Viet Nam has implemented key policies aimed at uplifting female researchers and entrepreneurs. The nation is making significant strides by investing in educational initiatives, policy reforms, and highlighting the achievements of women in science, establishing itself as a global leader in inclusive development.
The celebration of the 10th International Day of Women in STEM signals a decade of progress in addressing gender disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Despite notable advancements worldwide, women continue to be underrepresented, particularly in leadership positions and the high-tech sector. According to UNESCO, while women represent 49.7% of the global population, they only account for 28% of researchers around the world, with numbers even lower in leadership roles and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology. In Asia, the gender gap is more pronounced, with India reporting a mere 14% of STEM academic positions occupied by women.
The “leaky pipeline” phenomenon represents a critical challenge, wherein women exit STEM careers at disproportionately high rates due to cultural biases, workplace inequities, and familial duties. This issue transcends mere representation; it poses significant economic risks. The Asian Development Bank estimates that gender disparities in STEM cost the Asia-Pacific region around $42 billion annually, hampering economic growth and innovation. Additionally, teams lacking gender diversity in fields like biotechnology and pharmaceuticals may miss crucial opportunities for breakthroughs, impacting public health and precision medicine.
A report from the McKinsey Global Institute projects that achieving gender parity in STEM could potentially boost the global GDP by $12 trillion by 2030, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive policies to enhance women’s representation in STEM sectors, both in terms of quantity and quality.
Despite these hurdles, Viet Nam has emerged as a trailblazer in promoting women’s participation in STEM. Data from the Ministry of Science and Technology indicates that women comprise 47% of the country’s Research and Development (R&D) workforce, significantly surpassing the global average. However, this participation has not yet been reflected in leadership roles; only 26% of research projects are led by women, highlighting the imperative for targeted initiatives to improve women’s representation in decision-making capacities within STEM.
Viet Nam has enacted several pivotal policies to bolster female researchers and entrepreneurs, including Resolution 57 (December 2024) and the National Assembly’s Science & Technology Policy (February 2025), both of which advocate for gender equality in STEM leadership and research. These frameworks work in conjunction with the National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Development for 2030, which prioritizes enhancing women’s roles in technology, research, and leadership. By doing so, Viet Nam aims to position women at the forefront of its ambition to achieve a high-income, innovation-driven economy by 2045.
Vietnamese women have made notable contributions to the advancement of STEM on both national and global fronts, showcasing expertise in fields such as nanotechnology, biomedical research, artificial intelligence, and environmental science. Some distinguished women scientists leading groundbreaking innovations include:
- Associate Professor Ho Thi Thanh Van: A leading researcher in fuel cell technology, making significant contributions to sustainable energy solutions.
- Dr. Tran Ha Lien Phuong: A biomedical engineer who received the L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award for her pioneering work in nano-drug delivery for cancer treatment.
- Professor Dr. Nguyen Thị Kim Thanh: A nanotechnology expert honored with the Rosalind Franklin Medal in the UK for her impactful research in biomedical nanomaterials.
- Professor Dr. Le Minh Thang: Head of the Department of Organic and Petrochemical Technology at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, recognized for developing an affordable catalytic converter for harmless exhaust gases and receiving the Kovalevskaya Prize in 2022.
- Associate Professor Nguyen Minh Tan: Director of the Institute for R&D of Natural Products (INAPRO-HUST), inventor of Juice Evaporation Technology (JEVA), and winner of the Best Innovation Award in the Hitachi Global Foundation Asia Innovation Award 2020 and the Kovalevskaya Prize in 2025.
- Dr. Le Thai Ha: Featured among the top 100,000 influential scientists globally, with over 70 published research papers in top-tier international journals covering energy economics, environmental economics, and applied economics.
These exemplary women represent Vietnam’s burgeoning impact in STEM, propelling scientific advancements that contribute to the nation’s progress and contribute to global innovation.
Viet Nam is committed to enhancing STEM education, starting with the General Education Sector Development Program (2017) that integrated STEM principles across educational levels. Although there isn’t yet a formal National Program on STEM Education, several initiatives are supporting this progress:
- Women in STEM Leadership Program (Đà Nẵng, 2016): A mentorship initiative designed to empower female STEM students by equipping them with necessary skills for careers in high-tech fields.
- ASEAN-UK SAGE & British Council Scholarships (2024): Five Vietnamese women received fully funded master’s degrees in STEM in the UK, promoting Vietnam’s visibility in the international STEM landscape.
- STEM Teacher Training Program (Bắc Ninh, 2024): A pilot project targeting increased gender inclusivity among female STEM educators, fostering supportive environments for young girls.
These initiatives empower women with essential skills and opportunities required to flourish in burgeoning industries like AI, semiconductors, and clean energy, establishing Viet Nam as a leader in STEM innovation.
Viet Nam has demonstrated notable progress with female university enrollment in STEM rising from 30% to 54.6% between 2006 and 2020. Nonetheless, challenges remain, particularly concerning career advancement, research funding, and leadership roles within STEM. Key challenges include:
- Limited access to career information: Many young women are unaware of available STEM career opportunities.
- Gender biases in STEM culture: Societal norms often discourage women from pursuing careers in science and technology.
- Lack of mentorship and professional networks: The scarcity of female mentors in STEM restricts opportunities for aspiring young women.
To surmount these barriers, Viet Nam needs to adopt a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy, including:
- Expanding STEM career guidance: Launch national awareness initiatives targeting girls aged 6-14.
- Increasing funding for women-led research: Guarantee equal access for female scientists to government research grants.
- Strengthening industry-academia collaborations: Foster partnerships with the private sector to provide mentorship and internship opportunities for female students.
- Promoting women in STEM leadership: Implement women-centric scholarships and training programs in scientific universities.
Viet Nam’s dedication to gender equality in STEM is not only encouraging innovation but also stimulating economic growth. By investing in education, policy reform, and celebrating the accomplishments of women scientists, the nation is establishing a global benchmark for inclusive development.
As Viet Nam continues its journey toward becoming a high-income, technology-oriented economy by 2045, empowering women in STEM will be vital for sustaining innovation, competitiveness, and national advancement. Bridging the gender gap in STEM is more than just necessary; it is a prerequisite for the country’s economic evolution. With a robust policy framework and an increasing number of women participating in science and technology, Viet Nam stands as a powerful model for other countries striving for gender equality in STEM and is poised to enhance international collaboration toward this objective.
