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| Honoring scientific research works in the field of healthcare at the 1st Hue Ancient Capital Women’s Creativity Award |
From research that serves everyday life
Hue currently has more than 2,000 scientists across diverse disciplines, with a high proportion of professors, associate professors, and doctors. This high-quality workforce is concentrated mainly at Hue University and major research institutions, hospitals, and science and technology organizations such as Hue Central Hospital and the City Union of Science and Technology Associations. This is considered one of the key foundations for Hue to develop science, technology, and innovation in ways that focus on linking to practice, transferring knowledge, and commercializing research outcomes.
Among the research works and projects that have been awarded at Hue Ancient Capital Science and Technology Awards, many have made a strong impression due to their high applicability. In the medical and pharmaceutical field, a cluster of works on stem cell transplantation, hematological diseases, and organ transplantation at Hue Central Hospital has opened new treatment directions for breast , and ovarian cancer, and blood disorders.
Also in the field of healthcare, research on the application of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of gastroduodenal conditions by Prof. Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep and his colleagues has contributed to introducing numerous advanced techniques into clinical treatment, helping to reduce pain and shorten recovery time for patients. Or, research on women’s reproductive health by Prof. Dr. Cao Ngoc Thanh, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy, and colleagues has also delivered significant practical value in women’s healthcare.
Numerous works in engineering, agriculture, social sciences, and digital technology have also left their mark. A notable example is the safe water supply solutions developed by Hue Water Supply Joint Stock Company (HueWACO), which helped Hue become the first locality in the country to implement city-wide safe water supply and was highly commended by the World Health Organization.
In the social sciences and humanities, research on preserving traditional craft villages, the architectural heritage of Hue communal houses, and the geological heritage of Tam Giang - Bach Ma has provided a stronger scientific basis for conserving and promoting local cultural values and indigenous resources in alignment with sustainable development.
Notably, many award-winning research works have continued to be expanded and applied in practice, directly serving community life, healthcare, production development, cultural preservation, and improved social governance.
Elevating the awards, Encouraging talent
Alongside developing the science and technology workforce, the city has also focused on encouraging innovation through initiatives such as the Innovation and Startup Competition, the Technical Creativity Contest, the Youth and Children’s Creativity Contest, and recognition programs for outstanding science and technology intellectuals. In particular, the Hue Ancient Capital Science and Technology Award and the Hue Ancient Capital Women’s Creativity Award have become prestigious prizes within the local scientific research community.
After four editions, 2026 marks a new turning point as the city develops regulations for the Hue Ancient City Science, Technology and Innovation Award. Under the new framework, the award will be expanded to integrate science and technology with innovation and digital transformation, in line with current development trends.
A key change is the merger of the Hue Ancient Capital Science and Technology Award with the Hue Ancient Capital Women’s Creativity Award into a single unified prize, streamlining administration, raising the quality of selection, and increasing its reach. Despite the merger, the award retains specific categories to recognize female scientists, young scientists, and works of outstanding impact.
Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Yen, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, noted that under the new regulations, the award would be held every three years instead of every five. This cycle is considered better suited to the nature of scientific research and timely enough to honor valuable works while continuously motivating innovation.
The award structure under the draft regulations is designed to enhance both prestige and Hue’s cultural identity, comprising 13 prizes: 5 Grade A awards across 5 fields, 5 Grade B awards across 5 fields, and 3 special prizes for: Outstanding female researcher, Outstanding young researcher, and Author or Group with influential scientific publications. Beyond symbolic recognition, the prize values have also been significantly increased compared to previous editions, with the highest award expected to reach up to 90 times the base salary, which is a meaningful incentive for the city’s intellectuals, scientists, and innovative enterprises.
Organizing high-quality, knowledge-rich awards is not only about honoring research achievements but also serving the broader goal of discovering new talent, new products, and new inventions with real-world applicability. This is more significant as Hue City is actively implementing the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57 dated December 22, 2024, on achieving breakthroughs in national science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. In this context, science and technology awards carry meaning beyond recognition and become a driving force for science and technology to truly enter daily life and contribute to local socio-economic development.