Vietnam became the 78th country to sign the Artemis Accords, NASA announced on October 28, 2026. Minister of Science and Technology Vũ Hải Quân signed the accords on behalf of the country during Vietnam International Digital Week in Ha Long, with U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Jennifer Wicks also taking part in the signing event.

In recorded remarks for the ceremony, NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson said NASA and the Vietnam National Space Center have built momentum in satellite innovation, land-use research and radar-based Earth observation. NASA said Vietnam's decision extends the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into a new area, building on more than 30 years of cooperation.

The agency said it partnered with Vietnamese-German University earlier this year to support its Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, which measures surface-soil water worldwide. Vietnam has also inaugurated its National Space Center in Hanoi and is developing domestic satellite capabilities through the LOTUSat program, focused on Earth observation, weather monitoring and disaster response. The accords were established in 2020 by NASA, the State Department and seven other founding nations, setting out principles for peaceful, transparent exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond. NASA said more countries are expected to sign in the months and years ahead.