Scientific research is also a way to affirm national sovereignty.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha discusses with the research team about operating modern oceanographic survey equipment. Photo: NVCC

Pioneer in marine toxins research in Vietnam

A pioneer in marine toxins and food safety research in Vietnam and the Western Pacific region, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha - Director of the Institute of Oceanography (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) has spent more than 30 years pursuing this field.

Speaking with Lao Dong in early May 2024, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha said that although the scientific topics she led always closely followed the prominent and pressing issues of society regarding seafood poisoning and the need to meet the quality of seafood, initially she and her research team encountered difficulties in the approach and research methods.

She and her research team have gradually addressed the gaps in the research direction of marine toxins and food safety in Vietnam. As a result, her research has practical significance for marine food safety for the community as well as contributing to ensuring national security and defense. The research results have also been converted into propaganda products and widely disseminated in the mass media.

These media messages have created trust among the people; thereby, raising public awareness, awareness of self-prevention and self-protection from food poisoning. They are also an important premise for the direction of research on medical applications, building appropriate treatment regimens for poisoning cases.

These are the first studies on marine toxins in Vietnam and the Western Pacific region, providing a reliable basis for authorities in managing quality and ensuring food hygiene and safety, while providing knowledge to respond to new situations of food poisoning risks. With continuous efforts, the current research direction on marine toxins in Vietnam is recognized by the world scientific community. The experience and knowledge of her and her research team in this field are highly appreciated, have reference value and affirm the scientific importance of Vietnam's dialogue at international forums.

Affirming and promoting national sovereignty over seas and islands

As Director of the Oceanographic Museum, Institute of Oceanography, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha is the creator and developer of the plan to innovate the form of activities to create outstanding highlights in the propaganda work to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, especially for the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

Typically, the exhibition area "Hoang Sa-Truong Sa Sea Resources" introduces the richness of the marine resources of the two archipelagos and the exhibition area of ​​the French-published sea map "Presence in the East Sea". The Oceanographic Museum has built topics with many creative forms and attractive content, creating a special attraction for students. Therefore, by the end of October 2023, the Museum welcomed 632,000 visitors, an increase of nearly 40% over the same period last year, with revenue reaching 21.7 billion VND.

As Chairman of the Vietnam National Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha has repeatedly reported on experiences, initiatives and results of Vietnam's marine science and technology research at international and regional conferences. At the United Nations Conference on Ocean Science in Lisbon, Portugal in September 2022, she spoke about Vietnam's efforts in approaching and testing new research methods and initiatives to protect marine environmental resources, contributing to the United Nations' SDG 14 sustainable development goal. Most recently, overcoming competition from strong opponents in the Asia-Pacific region, Associate Professor, Dr. Ha is the only Vietnamese person ever to be elected and become a member of the Legal - Technical Committee of the Seabed Authority (2023-2027).

Currently, she is working as an independent international expert in providing scientific advice to the United Nations on the exploitation of resources, minerals and environmental protection in deep sea areas outside national jurisdiction. Her international activities have contributed to enhancing the image and position of Vietnam as an active and responsible member of the international community; at the same time, sending a message affirming Vietnam's contribution to promoting legal order at sea, thereby contributing to protecting national sovereignty and interests.

Source: https://laodong.vn/xa-hoi/vinh-quang-viet-nam-2024-nghien-cuu-khoa-hoc-cung-la-cach-khang-dinh-chu-quyen-dat-nuoc-1339595.ldo