Viet Nam's Science and Technology Development Strategy until 2010 has prioritised the development of technology markets where scientific and technological research results will become goods.

More and more, technology and equipment fairs have been held at larger scales and scopes. Since 1999, nearly 30 technology and equipment fairs have been organised at all levels, which saw the signing of business contracts worth trillions of VND.

Techmart Nha Trang, which finished on August 12, is an example of large-scale fairs. During its three days, the fair drew more than 40,000 visitors, and more than 2,000 exchanges and consultations between producers and consumers were made.

Particularly, as many as 125 memorandums of understanding and contracts, with a combined value of more than 14 billion VND, were signed at the event.

Techmart Ha Noi 2006 will be held at Giang Vo Exhibition Centre in Ha Noi on September 22-25. In addition, a virtual technology market will also be organised to support the event.

On-line technology and equipment markets are making their way in the field as they help to expand transaction space and time.

In 2005 alone, e-technology fairs attracted 1.8 million visitors and enabled the signing of more than 1,500 contracts.

To meet the increasing demand for science and technology, a National Centre for Technology Transactions has been established, which acts both as a showroom for technological products and equipment, and a consulting agency. Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City are also working to open similar centres .

Vietnam News Agency (17/08/2006)