Founded in 1993 by Jean Tran Thanh Van, the association Rencontres du Vietnam, a non-profit organization and an official partner of UNESCO, has as its objective the promotion of international exchanges between Vietnam and the international community, particularly in the areas of science and education. It also aims at the encouragement and integration of Vietnamese scientists into the international scientific community and at supporting the role of education and science by encouraging scientific awareness and stimulating passion for science in the younger generation. The Rencontres du Vietnam lies within the scope of two series of scientific meetings created by Jean Tran Thanh Van : the Rencontres de Moriond in 1966 and the Rencontres de Blois in 1989.

The creation of the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science Education (ICISE) in the city of Quy Nhon (Central Vietnam) has the ambitious objective to focus on developing Science and Education by fostering exchanges between Asia-Pacific scientists and colleagues from other parts of the world.

The 16^th AFOB Regional Symposium
Biotechnology for Sustainable Development

The symposium will take place at the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE), Quy Nhon City, Vietnam, from February 1 – 4, 2026. It will provide an international forum for academic scientists, researchers, and scholars to present and discuss the latest advances in biotechnology that support sustainable development.

The comprehensive scientific program will include keynote talks, oral and poster sessions, covering topics such as Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Aquaculture and Animal Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and Advanced Biotechnology. ARS 2026 will be a precious opportunity for all of us to meet, share knowledge, and foster future collaborations.