Forty of the best tech projects received the 2014 Vietnam Fund for Scientific and Technological Creations (VIFOTEC) Award at a ceremony held in Hanoi on May 28.

The winning projects, including four first, seven second, 11 third and 18 consolation prizes, covered the fields of automation engineering, materials, energy-saving and new energy, information, electronics and telecommunications, biotechnology for production and life, environmental protection and rational use of natural resources.

While congratulating the award winners, Politburo member and President of Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan said that the VIFOTEC’s winning projects from the past 20 years, have helped improve the productivity, production efficiency and quality of products.

They have also contributed to bettering the research of scientists and technicians in line with the country’s drive for development and international integration, he said.

The awards were first launched in 1995 by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations in co-ordination with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The awards aim to honour scientists whose projects have high value to science and society, and can be effectively applied to daily life.

In its 20 years, the organising board has received nearly 2,200 entries - 700 of them have received prizes.