The Vietnam Space Week will take place from June 5 to 9 in Hau Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Binh Dinh, aimed at showcasing achievements, connecting youth with NASA, and inspiring scientific research.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association, Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia chosen by NASA to host the NASA Week—an annual event organized by the U.S. space agency since the early 2000s. The event is organized in collaboration with the Hau Giang People’s Committee, the Thu Duc City People’s Committee (Ho Chi Minh City), and the Binh Dinh People’s Committee.
The program aims to highlight NASA’s achievements and contributions to space exploration, scientific research, and technology development. During the series of events, NASA will also introduce some of its latest projects and initiatives. The event is expected to inspire the younger generation through astronauts’ stories about their working and living environments in space, sharing scientific research aimed at protecting the Earth, reducing environmental pollution, warning of risks from asteroids colliding with Earth, and exploring extraterrestrial life.
Diagram of the venue for the Vietnam Space Week 2023 event. (Photo: Vietnam Space Week)
During the week, students will have the opportunity to converse with two renowned figures in the aerospace field: Michael A. Baker, a former NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain, and Dr. Josef Schmid, NASA’s flight surgeon.
Michael A. Baker once served as the head of astronaut support personnel at Kennedy Space Center for the Space Shuttle program. To date, he has logged 965 hours in space, piloting two Space Shuttles and commanding two others before the year 2000. After retiring from space travel, he was assigned to participate in other NASA activities.
Dr. Josef Schmid was a surgeon and physician at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He previously held the position of senior examiner at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Dr. Schmid was responsible for the medical care of astronauts and their families, as well as engineers and retired astronauts from the Gemini and Apollo programs.
Additionally, the program will feature activities such as film screenings, interactive games, zero-gravity experiences, age-appropriate STEM workshops, STEM competitions, autograph sessions and photo opportunities with astronauts, and a Starry Night exploration. Participants will also have the chance to learn about the virtual universe—Metaverse; Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality—VR/AR; and enjoy drone shows and light displays like the Hologram Tube of Astronauts.
These activities aim to guide the younger generation towards pursuing STEM disciplines, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
- The series of activities will start in Hau Giang on June 5 and 6 at the Hau Giang Provincial Conference Center (Vi Thanh City);
- Ho Chi Minh City on June 7 at the Ho Chi Minh City Student Cultural Center (Thu Duc City);
- Binh Dinh on June 8 and 9 at the Binh Dinh Provincial Conference Center and the Science & Innovation Discovery Center.
Space Week has been implemented in Scotland since the early 2000s. The program was proposed by Hyang Lloyd, a former NASA employee. Over the past 20 years, the program has been held in many countries, connecting NASA with the younger generation, inspiring scientific research, and promoting international cooperation.
Mr. Lam Nguyen Hai Long, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association, hopes to maintain this event annually and looks forward to NASA continuing to choose Vietnam as a destination, while also aiming to elevate the event to a regional level in the future.
