On March 18 and 19, 2025, the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies at National Economics University (NEU), in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s Climate Compatible Growth research program, organized a training workshop on “Financial Analysis Models and Spatial Data Management in Climate-Compatible Growth Research.”

An overview of the conference

Representing NEU at the workshop were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh, Head of the Department of Research Management; Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Truong, Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies; along with leadership representatives from the University’s schools, departments, faculties, institutes, centers, and sociopolitical organizations, as well as faculty and staff.

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

On behalf of the University’s leadership, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu welcomed domestic and international delegates to the training workshop on financial analysis models and spatial data management in climate-compatible growth research. He highly commended the results that the Vietnam CCG Network, in collaboration with the global CCG Country Partnerships team and the University Partner Consortium (Loughborough University, the University of London, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Imperial, the Open University, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden), had effectively delivered in its recent work.

In addition to research activities, CCG has organized numerous workshops, seminars, and in-person and online consultation sessions, connecting domestic experts with the international academic community while providing important information for policymaking. This training course demonstrates those efforts, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu said.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu expressed his hope that the Vietnam CCG Network would continue to play a central role in connecting domestic and overseas partners, drawing on its in-depth understanding of Vietnam’s context to propose and conduct more research with strong practical relevance. He also expressed his expectation that this research would provide robust scientific evidence to support policymaking and promote the transition to a low-carbon economy.

On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu also thanked the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies and the Vietnam CCG Coordination Board for their important contributions to advancing cooperation between NEU and partner universities in the United Kingdom. He expressed his hope that this partnership would continue to expand, contributing to the development of both sides.

Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Truong, Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies, provides updates on the activities of the global CCG network

Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Truong, Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies and Senior Advisor to the Vietnam CCG Network, emphasized that achieving the Net Zero target by 2050 requires Vietnam to take strategic steps based on scientific models to develop effective and practical policies. CCG’s analytical toolkit is currently being shared free of charge with the scientific community and policymakers. Through training courses, the Vietnam CCG Network seeks to help researchers, lecturers, and students apply these tools in practice.

Dr. Naomi Tan, Modeling Team Lead for the global CCG program, provides an online update on its suite of models and tools

In her presentation, Dr. Naomi Tan, Modeling Team Lead for the global CCG program, introduced a suite of 16 tools and models that global CCG is deploying in its courses, including the EMP-G global course in Italy and courses in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. These tools play an important role in the Data-to-Deal approach, helping connect data with financial policy and mobilize capital for sustainable growth projects.

Dr. Nguyen Hoang Nam, National Coordinator of the Vietnam CCG Network, introduces the FinPlan tool and its applications

Dr. Nguyen Hoang Nam, National Coordinator of the Vietnam CCG Network, introduced the FINPLAN model developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This is an important tool for financial analysis and investment performance assessment for energy projects, particularly in developing countries.

Dr. Nguyen Dieu Hang, a lecturer in the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies, shares insights and leads hands-on practice with FinPlan

Next, Dr. Nguyen Dieu Hang provided an overview of core financial concepts, cost-benefit analysis (CBA) methods, and investment principles, helping trainees establish a solid foundation before beginning hands-on practice. This section was particularly important in helping trainees understand how to assess cash flows, financial risks, and returns on investment in energy projects.

Following the theoretical section, Dr. Nguyen Dieu Hang also personally guided trainees through hands-on exercises using real-world data with the FINPLAN tool, helping them apply their knowledge to the financial analysis of energy projects. The trainees completed exercises assessing the costs and benefits of a power project and calculating its payback period, internal rate of return (IRR), and other key financial indicators.

Dr. Le Huy Huan, a lecturer in the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies, presents on “Spatial Data Management in Energy Access Modeling and Planning”

The second day focused on applying spatial data to energy analysis and planning. Dr. Le Huy Huan presented on GIS and spatial data collection and management, with particular emphasis on the six-step spatial data management framework.

In his presentation, Dr. Le Huy Huan provided detailed guidance on identifying data requirements, collecting and processing GIS data, building database systems, assessing quality, and ensuring security when sharing spatial data. This is an important topic for ensuring that data is used effectively in sustainable energy planning and development.

In addition, trainees explored real-world examples of spatial data applications in energy access modeling, including using GIS to identify priority areas for investment in clean energy infrastructure, assess solar and wind power potential, and develop energy planning maps…

Delegates discuss the training topics

Conference delegates pose for a commemorative group photo

The workshop delivered important practical value, giving trainees access to modern tools that support evidence-based policy design and promote sustainable growth solutions. Experts and trainees engaged in lively discussions, shared experiences, and proposed ways to apply the models in practice in Vietnam.

Article and photos: Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies and 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.