Young PhD wins 2 international awards, recounts shock on first day back to Vietnam

He is also the author of 43 scientific articles published in international scientific journals, of which 35 are in the Q1 category.

The research direction of the doctor born in 1990 is to develop atmospheric pressure atomic monolayer deposition (SALD) technology. He has successfully built the first SALD system in Vietnam. This is a major turning point, allowing the fabrication of nano-thin film materials at low temperature, high speed, without using a vacuum chamber, with atomic monolayer precision, reducing production costs.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong is also applying nano-thin films in optoelectronic components, gas sensors, storage batteries, and protective coatings. In particular, being self-sufficient in developing high-tech equipment systems for nano-thin film deposition not only helps save billions of VND compared to importing commercial equipment but also opens up great opportunities for new research directions.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong owns 1 international patent; 2 international outstanding scientific research awards and 43 scientific articles published in international scientific journals.

After graduating from high school, the young man from Ha Tinh was valedictorian of the Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology (University of Technology - Vietnam National University, Hanoi) before receiving a State scholarship and starting his journey to study abroad at the age of 19.

He chose the Lyon National Institute of Applied Sciences - the leading engineering school in France to pursue Materials Science and graduated as valedictorian of the entire course.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong said that one of the first challenges for him in the early days of studying abroad was the language barrier and the international academic environment. “At first, keeping up with lectures, working in groups, writing reports and communicating with lecturers and friends was a big challenge. To overcome this, I asked to live in the same dormitory with a French friend and increased my interactions with international friends. After about 2 years, I gradually caught up with the foreign language and finished the engineering and master's program in the best position in the class,” Mr. Huong recalled.

Always trying to improve his knowledge and specialized skills during his university studies, at first, he had no direction in pursuing a professional scientific research career.

The turning point came when he did a 6-month research internship at the IMEC Nanotechnology Research Center in Leuven, Belgium. In that professional scientific research environment, he gradually realized his interest in this path. When he returned to France, he received a PhD scholarship. At this time, he and his colleagues successfully built the SALD system - an atomic monolayer deposition system at atmospheric pressure. His doctoral thesis received the Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award from the French Chemical Society.

“The most memorable and interesting memory for me is the first days of scientific research. After graduating with a master's degree, in my initial thinking, scientific research was something very lofty. Unexpectedly, in the first 3 months, the most I did was welding control signal wires, CNC milling, building chemical vapor conduction systems... At that time, I was very confused but later realized that the professor wanted me to understand that the experimental research process requires the ability to be proactive in designing and implementing experimental systems", Dr. Huong said.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong owns 2 international awards for excellent scientific research. Photo: NVCC

After 9 years of studying and working in France, in 2019, Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong surprised many people when she refused attractive invitations, even long-term positions from some research institutions, to return to Vietnam.

“What motivated me to return was the thought of having more ambition and making greater contributions to my homeland and community. I saw that the domestic research force was not strong, although Vietnamese people around the world were very successful and achieved many successes abroad. I realized that if I wanted to change something, the best way was probably to start from within. Therefore, I returned to the country,” Dr. Huong shared, adding that this was the most difficult decision of her life.

“It was a shock to my culture and working environment. After a long time in France, being trained entirely abroad, when I returned, I encountered many difficulties, from somewhat complicated administrative procedures to limited facilities and equipment for research. The only thing that helped me stay calm to continue my efforts was the belief that choosing to return to contribute to the country was the right ideal, and in the long run, it would be valuable and meaningful,” said Dr. Huong.

Less than 3 years after returning to Vietnam, in early 2022, Dr. Huong and his research team at Phenikaa University completed the construction and operation of the first domestic atmospheric pressure atomic monolayer deposition technology system, with a cost about 5 times lower than importing a commercial system. This is one of the most advanced nanofabrication technologies today. His work has been granted an international patent.

“The pressure and also the driving force that pushes me forward in my research career is the desire to do something more useful and practical. The happiness of discovering something new is truly special,” said Dr. Huong.

Talking about his plans for 2025, Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong said that he wants to develop a stronger research group, an address for doctoral students, graduate students, and students to come to for support and opportunities for self-development,... thereby contributing to the scientific community in general.

The Central Youth Union has just announced the list of 10 Outstanding Young Vietnamese Faces of 2024, including Dr. Nguyen Viet Huong. The ceremony to honor Outstanding Young Vietnamese Faces of 2024 is scheduled to take place on the evening of March 23 in Hanoi.