On the morning of May 15, 2025, National Economics University (NEU) hosted the national scientific conference “Theoretical Foundations and Experiences of Selected Countries Worldwide in Mobilizing and Using Resources to Develop Climate-Adapted Transport Infrastructure,” jointly organized by NEU and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City.

Overview of the conference

External delegates attending the conference included Dr. Nguyen Quang Huy, Deputy Director of the Department of General Economic Affairs, Central Commission for Policy and Strategy; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Ngoc Linh, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations; Dr. Nguyen Van Hoi, Director of the Institute for Industry and Trade Strategy and Policy Research, Ministry of Industry and Trade; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thanh Ha, Chair of the University Council of the University of Labor and Social Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Ngoc Thach, Chair of the University Council of Hanoi University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Chuong, Chair of the University Council of the University of Transport and Communications; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Xuan Ba, former Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management.

Representing the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, Vice President and Principal Investigator of the research project; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh, Director of the Institute of Smart City and Management.

Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Chair of the Advisory Council. Also attending were representatives of the leadership of schools, departments, faculties, institutes, and centers; faculty and staff from both universities; scientists; and contributing authors.

The conference was a key activity under the state-level science and technology research project KX01.04/21-30, part of Program KX01/21-30. The project’s objective is to introduce new methods for mobilizing and efficiently using resources to develop transport infrastructure in the Mekong Delta that is adapted to climate change.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, delivers remarks

In his welcome remarks at the conference, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, stated that transport infrastructure has always been an essential foundation for every country’s socioeconomic development. In the new context, as Vietnam in general and the Mekong Delta in particular face serious challenges from climate change, rising sea levels, and saltwater intrusion, mobilizing and efficiently using resources to develop transport infrastructure is both an urgent immediate requirement and a strategic task of long-term significance.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu expressed his hope that the conference would serve as a lively academic forum, effectively connecting research, practice, and policy, while making practical contributions to the formulation and administration of policies for developing climate-adapted transport infrastructure in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, Vice President of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, delivers remarks

In his introductory remarks at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, Vice President of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, said that the conference had received more than 30 quality papers from scholars, experts, and administrators nationwide, including many high-quality contributions alongside insightful exchanges among scholars, researchers, and administrators from universities, research institutes, and policymaking agencies.

“The presentations and discussions at today’s conference not only affirm the strategic importance of transport infrastructure in socioeconomic development but also open up new perspectives on accessing resources, effective models of public-private collaboration, and international experiences that can be flexibly applied to Vietnam’s context,” emphasized Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung.

Prof. Dr. Bui Tien Thanh, Dean of the Faculty of Transport Infrastructure, University of Transport and Communications, presents the paper “Global Trends in Developing Climate-Adapted Transport Infrastructure and Some Suggestions for Vietnam”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Hoai Linh, School of Banking and Finance, NEU, presents the paper “Mobilizing Financial Resources for Developing Climate-Adapted Transport Infrastructure: International Experiences and Lessons for Vietnam”

Prof. Dr. Ngo Thang Loi, NEU, presents the paper “Improving the Institutional Framework for Mobilizing Resources for Road Transport Infrastructure Development through PPPs: International Experiences and Lessons for Vietnam”

Dr. Hoang The Anh, Institute of Vietnam and World Economics, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, presents the paper “Experiences in Mobilizing Resources for Green Infrastructure Development in China and Implications for Vietnam”

At the conference, delegates focused their discussions on four main directions: (1) Identifying the core role of transport infrastructure in promoting socioeconomic development, particularly in the context of climate change; (2) Clarifying the theoretical foundations and methods for mobilizing, allocating, and efficiently using resources—including finance, human resources, natural resources, and science and technology—in sustainable transport infrastructure development; (3) Sharing international trends and experiences in building climate-adapted transport systems for reference and appropriate application; and (4) Drawing practical lessons and policy recommendations for the Mekong Delta, toward feasible solutions that can be implemented and replicated in practice.

Delegates exchange views and discuss issues at the conference

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, Vice President of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, delivers remarks

In his concluding remarks at the conference, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, Vice President of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, noted that the discussion sessions had reached a shared consensus: developing transport infrastructure in the context of climate change cannot stop at expanding its scale but requires a decisive shift toward a mindset centered on sustainable development, adaptation, and green, highly resilient infrastructure. This creates an urgent need for institutional reform, cross-sectoral policy integration, and more effective coordination among the state, the private sector, academia, and communities—in keeping with the spirit of “co-creation” that is receiving increasing attention in public policy formulation and implementation.

“The success of today’s conference also demonstrates the close, effective, and substantive collaboration between the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and NEU, while reflecting the spirit of partnership and strong ties among educational institutions, research institutes, and state management agencies in their efforts to find scientific solutions to development issues of our time,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao.

Additional images from the conference:

Article and photos: Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.