Vietnam Joins Artemis Accords as the 78th Signatory Nation

First reported 28 Oct, 21:50 UTCSource: NASA News ReleasesLast editorial activity 28 Oct, 21:50 UTCWrite a comment ↓

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Vietnam has signed the Artemis Accords, making it the 78th nation to join the commitment to peaceful, transparent and responsible space exploration, according to NASA. The signature was given by the country's science minister at a ceremony in Ha Long.

Signing held in Ha Long

Vũ Hải Quân, Vietnam's Minister of Science and Technology, put his name to the accords on the country's behalf during the Vietnam International Digital Week in Ha Long. The United States Ambassador to Vietnam, Jennifer Wicks, was also present at the event.

In recorded remarks for the ceremony, NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson said Vietnam is entering the accords at a significant moment in the growth of its own space efforts.

Tie to the bilateral partnership

NASA presents the move as an extension of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into a new frontier. That partnership rests on more than three decades of collaboration and covers defence, economic affairs, law enforcement, the legacy of war and technology. Both sides frame it as a contribution to peace, stability and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Earlier this year, NASA worked with Vietnam's Vietnamese-German University in support of the agency's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, which measures water in surface soil across the globe.

Vietnam's own space programme

Vietnam inaugurated its National Space Center in Hanoi around the same time. The country is also developing domestic satellite capabilities through the LOTUSat programme, with a focus on Earth observation, weather monitoring and disaster response.

Open questions

What concrete space cooperation will follow from the accession?

Key facts

Vietnam's science minister signed the Artemis Accords for the country during a ceremony in Ha Long.

With the signature, Vietnam became the 78th nation to sign the accords.

The ceremony took place during the Vietnam International Digital Week.

NASA says the accession carries the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into space.

Vietnam opened its National Space Center in Hanoi and is building satellite capabilities through LOTUSat.