National Conference on Technology and Design 2025 (NCTD 2025) - Special Session Continues at UEH Mekong: "Digital Transformation – Challenges and Opportunities in the Mekong Delta Region"
03 Nov, 2025
Following the success of the sessions in Ho Chi Minh City, the National Conference on Technology and Design 2025 (NCTD 2025) was held at UEH Mekong on October 31. Themed "Digital Transformation – Challenges and Opportunities in the Mekong Delta Region," the conference addressed the core issues of the region's digital transformation. The discussions primarily focused on digital transformation in agriculture, a key pillar for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. Topics revolved around applying technology to enhance productivity, mitigate risks from climate change, and expand markets for the region's agricultural products.
Overview of the conference "Digital Transformation – Challenges and Opportunities in the Mekong Delta Region" held at UEH Mekong on October 31, 2025
The conference brought together over 200 delegates, including provincial leaders; leaders of Departments, agencies, universities, associations, and businesses from Vinh Long and other provinces in the Mekong Delta region. Notably, the conference received significant interest with over 58 paper submissions from authors/author groups (including 13 submissions from provincial departments in the Mekong Delta region).
Promoting Digital Transformation Linked with Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta, a region of strategic importance to the nation's economy, is entering a period of great opportunity in the digital era, yet it also faces numerous challenges in its journey of transformation and sustainable development. The application of technology and innovation is the key for localities to advance strongly in the new context, contributing to the realization of the national vision for a digital economy, digital society, and digital citizenship in the coming decade.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - UEH Executive Vice President, emphasized: “In the Mekong Delta region, UEH and UEH Mekong have a special mission, serving not only as a higher education institution but also as a center for knowledge, creativity, and the dissemination of applied science for the entire region. The university aims to partner with local governments, businesses, research institutes, universities, and both domestic and international organizations to build an innovation ecosystem in the Mekong region. This ecosystem will connect technology, design, economics, and governance, with a human-centric approach to address challenges in green development, smart agriculture, and community digital transformation. The topics presented at this conference clearly reflect the 'interdisciplinary - interconnected - inter-regional' orientation that UEH seeks to promote, helping to link science with the practical development needs of the Mekong Delta.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - UEH Executive Vice President, delivering his opening remarks at the conference
From Smart Agriculture to Digital Government in the Mekong Delta Region
The plenary session began with a presentation on “High-Tech Applications in Smart Agricultural Production: A Case Study of Vinh Long Province” by Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan - Vice Director of the Vinh Long Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment. The presentation provided practical insights, models, and outstanding results from the province's application of high technology, especially as Vinh Long faces challenges of climate change, saltwater intrusion, and the need to improve agricultural product quality. It also proposed policy solutions tailored to the geographical characteristics and resource conditions of Vinh Long province.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan presenting on “High-Tech Applications in Smart Agricultural Production: A Case Study of Vinh Long Province”
Outlining the province's digital platform development over the years, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vinh - University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, presented strategic directions for Vinh Long to proactively and sustainably shape its digital future with the study: “Digital Transformation in Vinh Long Province: Past Foundations - Shaping the Future.” The presentation assessed the potential and challenges of digital transformation following the province's merger, focusing on its scale, digital infrastructure, economic advantages in agriculture and digital logistics, resources, and policy frameworks. It affirmed that digital government must be maintained, while the digital economy and digital society need to achieve strong breakthroughs.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vinh presenting on “Digital Transformation in Vinh Long Province: Past Foundations - Shaping the Future”
Next, MA. Vu Minh Hai - Director of the Center for Innovation, Can Tho City Department of Science and Technology, delivered a presentation on “Digital Transformation and Digital Technology Infrastructure in Government: Opportunities and Challenges in Can Tho City.” The study shared practical experiences from the central urban model of the Mekong Delta, particularly in building digital infrastructure, enhancing governance capacity, and implementing digital services in government.
MA. Vu Minh Hai presenting on “Digital Transformation and Digital Technology Infrastructure in Government: Opportunities and Challenges in Can Tho City.”
Representing a nation making significant technological strides, Dr. Nopadon Maneetien - Director of the College of Integrated Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Thailand, presented on “FPGA Design and Trends in Thailand Perspective.” The research offered a comprehensive overview of FPGA design trends in Thailand and shared practical experiences in training, research, and applying FPGA in automation, artificial intelligence, and embedded computing, thereby affirming the importance of digital technology in production and innovation.
Dr. Nopadon Maneetien presenting on “FPGA Design and Trends in Thailand Perspective”
Following the presentations, the plenary session moved to an open discussion moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - UEH Executive Vice President, to further clarify key issues in digital transformation and the region's sustainable development orientation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - UEH Executive Vice President, moderating the discussion session
During the discussion, Mr. Nguyen Minh Luan, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee, contributed insights on architecture, infrastructure, and data in the context of digital transformation. He emphasized the crucial role of digital enterprises and the connection between UEH, businesses, and localities in Ca Mau province.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Luan, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee, sharing his views
Additionally, Meritorious Teacher. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Thanh Nha - Rector of Can Tho University of Technology, proposed solutions for environmental and social welfare issues. He added that the three main pillars—Data, Technology, and People—are vital in the digital transformation context, with universities serving as centers for knowledge and technology transfer to localities.
Meritorious Teacher. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Thanh Nha - Rector of Can Tho University of Technology, sharing his views
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - UEH Executive Vice President, presenting souvenirs to the speakers
Connecting Academic Knowledge with Practical Solutions to Promote Local Digital Transformation In addition to the plenary session, the conference held five parallel sessions on topics ranging from smart agriculture and enhancing digital capacity in education to fostering a digital business and startup ecosystem and developing digital infrastructure, governance, and policies.
SESSION A - Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Development: This session focused on the revolutionary role of digital technologies (such as AI, IoT, Big Data) in reshaping the agricultural sector. Experts discussed precision agriculture solutions to optimize resources, enhance productivity, and improve resilience to climate change. Beyond technical aspects, the session explored how technology can advance agricultural value chains and contribute to building a modern, civilized, and sustainable rural landscape.
Various presenters and moderators during Session A
SESSION B - Technology and Innovation in Teaching and Learning: Research in this session centered on applying data science to reform teaching and learning. Presentations proposed using digital transformation to improve management efficiency and educational quality, creating flexible learning environments. The goal is to leverage IT solutions to prepare intellectual resources and modernize the educational environment.
Various presenters and moderators during Session B
SESSION C - Enhancing Digital Capacity and Human Resources for the Future: This session addressed the key challenge of developing a high-quality workforce for the national digital transformation. Speakers discussed the current situation, challenges, and strategic solutions for digital skills training and retraining. The objective is to build a workforce ready to adapt to and master new technologies, thereby driving innovation and enhancing national competitiveness.
Various presenters and moderators during Session C
SESSION D - Digital Economy: Finance, Enterprises, and Innovative Startups: Research in this session analyzed the powerful rise of financial technology and the digital-era transformation strategies that traditional enterprises need to survive and thrive. Experts also clarified the role of the innovative startup ecosystem as a key driver for creating disruptive business models. The aim was to find solutions to foster synergy among these three areas, contributing to sustainable digital economic growth.
Various presenters and moderators during Session D
SESSION E - Digital Infrastructure, Governance, and Development Policy: This session focused on building strategic frameworks and governance models to effectively lead digital transformation. Experts presented specific models, from conceptual leadership frameworks to open data-based readiness assessment models for supply chains. The session also analyzed the urgent need for a synchronous, secure, and highly resilient digital infrastructure (such as 5G, Cloud, Data Centers) and discussed advanced digital governance models, particularly data governance.
Various presenters and moderators during Session E
The conference at UEH Mekong concluded the National Conference on Technology and Design 2025 (NCTD 2025) with numerous practical research findings and discussions, opening up new approaches for the digital transformation process. The conference served as a forum connecting knowledge and practice, fostering dialogue among researchers, businesses, and local authorities on solutions for comprehensive digital transformation across many sectors. Particularly for the Mekong Delta—the nation's key agricultural hub—the conference acted as a bridge for knowledge and technology, aiming to promote smart agriculture and build a sustainable agricultural ecosystem that is climate-resilient and connected to urban and digital communities.
Through this academic forum, UEH Mekong continues to affirm its role as a center for spreading knowledge and innovation, where technology, economics, and design are interconnected to jointly create a sustainable and comprehensive digital future for the Mekong Delta, contributing to the realization of Vietnam's national digital development vision in the new era.
Delegates and the organizing committee taking a commemorative photo
| Held biennially, the National Conference on Technology and Design 2025 (NCTD 2025) is not only a large-scale academic event connecting academia, technology, and practice but also a testament to UEH's commitment to promoting innovative education, contributing to the national creative ecosystem, and spreading the values of sustainable development to the community. |
Other Photos from the National Conference on Technology and Design 2025 at UEH Mekong:
The organizing committee and delegates taking a commemorative photo
Exhibition activities and VR/AR technology experiences in the lobby
>>> UEH Opens NCTD 2025: Opening Ceremony of the National Conference on Technology and Design 2025 (NCTD 2025): Shaping Vietnam’s Digital Future
Pillars: Research, Community Engagement Project: UEH Connecting
News, photos: NCTD 2025 Organizing Committee, UEH Mekong (School of Information Technology, Department of Admissions and Communications), UEH Department of Communications and Partnerships
