The Ocean Futures 2025 Conference in Khanh Hoa: Smart Technologies and Sustainable Coastal Living

02 Oct, 2025

On the morning of 01/10/2025, the Ocean Futures 2025 Conference themed “Smart Technologies and Sustainable Coastal Living,” jointly organized by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), represented by the UEH Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province, officially took place.

The solemn opening ceremony was held at Champa Island Nha Trang, gathering leaders and representatives of UEH and Khanh Hoa Province, together with numerous domestic and international experts and scholars

In attendance from UEH were: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong – Chairman of the UEH University Council (2020-2025); Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Vice President of UEH; Dr. Dinh Cong Khai – Vice President of UEH; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of the Strategy and Policy Advisory Council; MSc. Le Dong Du – Deputy Chief of the Standing Office; the Executive Boards of UEH Member Schools; along with esteemed leaders, lecturers, and staff from UEH units.

Representing the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee were: Mr. Trinh Minh Hoang – Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Mr. Le Huyen – Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Mr. Nguyen Khac Ha – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; together with representatives of local authorities, provincial associations and unions, and business partners.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Mr. Le Huyen – Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, shared: “Implementing Resolution No. 01-NQ/TU of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee on economic growth for the 2025–2030 period has strongly affirmed that breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, and digital transformation are one of the two specific goals to realize the vision of becoming a national high-growth pole. This is not merely an orientation but a mandate from reality, requiring the Province to take decisive and synchronous steps. Today’s conference is where we come together to discuss, critique, and propose concrete, practical solutions to help the Province realize its aspiration to become a regional center of the marine economy, a smart city, and a livable city. This is not only a forum for sharing in-depth knowledge, but also a valuable opportunity to connect scholars, experts, and stakeholders to jointly seek practical solutions for the locality.”

Mr. Le Huyen – Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee delivering remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the Ocean Futures 2025 International Conference

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH – also emphasized: “The Ocean Futures International Conference is an important event for Khanh Hoa Province and the UEH Nexus Campus in Nha Trang, as well as the entire international academic community. UEH continues to affirm its role in accompanying Khanh Hoa in realizing local development resolutions. In this, the UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang and the UEH Institute of Smart City and Management serve as a hub that convenes global scholars and local experts, creating a collaborative ecosystem among academia – business – society – government – environment, aiming to position Khanh Hoa as a regional and international center of the marine economy. The conference is expected to become a space that spreads the spirit of cooperation and creativity, realizing the goal of sustainable blue economic development for Vietnam and the international community.”

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH – delivering remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the Ocean Futures 2025 International Conference

Amid a global shift where the marine economy is becoming a driver of sustainable development, smart port infrastructure plays a foundational role connecting technology, commerce, and coastal communities. Addressing this theme with the presentation “Intelligent Port Infrastructure for the Blue Economy,” Dr. Park Sang Woo opened the sessions by sharing practical insights from pioneering projects in South Korea, introducing new approaches to how intelligent infrastructure can catalyze the growth of a green and sustainable ocean economy.

Speaker Dr. Park Sang Woo opening the sessions with a presentation on “Intelligent Port Infrastructure for the Blue Economy”

Following this, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh – Director of the UEH Institute of Smart City and Management – introduced the talk “Ocean Technology Research Center – A Co-creation Platform for the Ocean’s Future.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh presented the outcomes of the project “Establishing a national research center for ocean technology,” assigned to UEH by the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee – one of the key projects in the strategic cooperation between UEH and Khanh Hoa Province.

Speaker Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh presenting the outcomes of the project “Establishing a national research center for ocean technology”

At the same time, the academic sessions within the conference provided multidimensional perspectives on technology, urbanism, communities, and policy for sustainable marine economic development.

The first session centered on “Ocean Technologies in the Blue Economy Ecosystem,” with presentations by Dr. Julia Babcock, Dr. Chu Manh Trinh, and Dr. Christopher Han analyzed the dynamics of river branches; they also emphasized the role of innovation in marine economic development, laying a foundation for a green and sustainable ocean future.

Dr. Julia Babcock, Dr. Chu Manh Trinh, and Dr. Christopher Han respectively delivering reports under the themes “Dynamic River Branches – From the East Sea to the West Coast” and “Co-creating Innovation in the Marine Economy”

In discussing “Health, Prosperity, and the Relationship between Urban Landscapes and Communities,” experts broadened the lens to the interrelations among the sea, urban spaces, and communities. The reports focused on smart urban design adapted to water and practices of working with Waterspace, thereby examining the importance of Coastal Landscapes to community life. The session affirmed that marine economic development cannot be separated from people and quality of life.

Dr. Cho Kwanphil – Lecturer, Department of Environmental System and Space Engineering, Handong Global University – opening Session 2 with the presentation “Designing Differently: from Smart Cities to Coastal Communities”

Dr. Adrian Lo – Director and international expert, International Development and Urban Design Program, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University, Thailand – presenting studies on the multi-national processes of human coexistence with rivers and coastlines; and studio projects related to inundated spaces by students in Thammasat University’s Urban Design program, supported by students from the Architecture and Smart Urban Design Program of the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM)

Mr. Ian Ralph – Lead for Urban Planning and Urban Design at SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) – sharing on the Relationship between Urban Landscapes and Communities: The Importance and Impact of Coastal Landscapes on People (Locals and Visitors) and Businesses

In the session “Co-innovation for a Sustainable Blue Economy,” Prof. Giovanni Quaranta and Prof. Rosanna Salvia (University of Basilicata, Italy) opened with “Sharing Waters, Sharing the Future: Europe’s Experience in the Blue Economy for All.” Next, Dr. Ho Quoc Thong introduced the study “Marine Spatial Planning: International Experience and Lessons for Vietnam,” underscoring the urgency of sustainable ocean-space governance. Finally, Dr. Riley Pham Xuan Quyet (Sunway University, Malaysia) presented “Coastal Circularity: The Power of Mussels in Sustainable Development,” offering a creative perspective on nature-based solutions in developing the ocean economy.

Experts Prof. Giovanni Quaranta, Prof. Rosanna Salvia, Dr. Ho Quoc Thong, and Dr. Riley Pham Xuan Quyet respectively delivering presentations under the session theme

Concluding the conference’s presentation segments was the panel “Ocean Futures: Smart Technologies and Sustainable Coastal Living,” moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh. Experts discussed three core pillars: (1) Ocean Technologies in the Blue Economy Ecosystem; (2) Health, prosperity, and the relationship between urban landscapes and communities; and (3) Co-innovation for a Sustainable Blue Economy. The open forum fostered connections, questions, and direct exchanges, helping shape practical pathways for a green and intelligent marine economic future.

Speakers in Panel 4 “Ocean Futures: Smart Technologies and Sustainable Coastal Living,” moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh

Also within the framework of the conference, UEH signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with several strategic partners: Amanoi Resort, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietcombank Khanh Hoa, and Khanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio–Television. The agreements were concluded in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, affirming fairness and transparency under the witness of local leaders, international scholars, and business representatives. The event not only created a foundation for multidimensional cooperation between UEH and strategic partners but also marked the beginning of a collaborative ecosystem among University – Business – Media – Community, contributing to positioning Khanh Hoa Province as a hub of knowledge and innovation in the coming period.

Signing ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between UEH and strategic partners in Khanh Hoa, with the participation of Amanoi Resort, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietcombank Khanh Hoa, and Khanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio – Television

The Ocean Futures 2025 Conference has become a vital academic forum closely tied to local development realities, while affirming UEH’s long-term, comprehensive commitment to accompany Khanh Hoa Province in building a green, smart, and sustainable marine economic center.

Some notable images from the Ocean Futures 2025 Conference:

UEH leadership representatives, the Organizing Committee, and domestic and international speakers taking commemorative photos in the lobby before the official start of the conference