Group of researchers from the Viet Nam Military Medical University received Bao Son Award 2020. — Photos courtesy of organiser

A test kit to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus researched and developed by a group of scientists from the Viet Nam Military Medical University received the Bao Son Award 2020, which is worth $60,000 in cash.

The ceremony took place yesterday in Ha Noi with representatives of Bao Son Group, founder of the award, and the Ministry of Education and Training, advisor of the award.

The Real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test kit reveals test results after a little more than an hour.

Results confirmed Vietnamese scientists’ high professional skills and their contribution to pandemic prevention and control, said Minister Phung Xuan Nha.

“We have followed the development of the award since its establishment in 2011 and acknowledge that the Bao Son Award is meaningful in honouring contributions and creations that better people’s lives,” said Nha.

Due to the lockdown, the award of the year 2019 was granted on the same day. Phd Nguyen Tan Dung and his team from the HCM City University of Technology and Education received the award of $50,000 for their research on freeze-drying techniques.

Bao Son Awards, initiated by Nguyen Truong Son, CEO of Bao Son Group, honours research in five fields: educative renovation, hunger elimination and poverty reduction, sustainable economic development, community healthcare and literature.

Each year, winners will receive a prize with the value increasing $10,000 year after year. The recipients this year will receive $60,000 each. — VNS