RTD 2026 in Khanh Hoa: From AI and Ocean Technology to the Blue Economy

RTD 2026 in Khanh Hoa: From AI and Ocean Technology to the Blue Economy – Co-creating a Sustainable Future

21 Jul, 2026

On July 19-20, 2026, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized the Resilience by Technology and Design 2026 (RTD 2026) International Scientific Conference in Khanh Hoa, with the sub-theme "FutureScape: Ocean, Knowledge and Convergence". The conference brought together scientists, experts, policymakers, businesses, and the academic community from both domestic and international arenas to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, connect knowledge, and co-create solutions for sustainable blue economic development.

RTD is a biennial international scientific conference organized by the UEH College of Technology and Design (CTD), aiming to connect domestic and international scientists, experts, and partners to discuss technological and design solutions for sustainable development. In 2026, for the first time, the conference was implemented in a multi-location model with the coordination of UEH Mekong, UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang, and 18 international partner universities, taking place from July 15-20 across three strategic hubs of UEH: Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and Khanh Hoa, thus creating a network connecting knowledge, technology, and community across multiple development spaces.

The sub-theme in Khanh Hoa focused on issues related to the blue economy, ocean technology, artificial intelligence (AI), marine ecosystem conservation, innovation, and international cooperation for sustainable development. The conference attracted over 100 domestic and international delegates, with 02 Keynote Speeches, a series of Blue FutureScape special sessions and 20 scientific papers presented across 03 parallel sessions.

Overview of the RTD 2026 International Scientific Conference with the sub-theme "FutureScape: Ocean, Knowledge and Convergence" taking place in Khanh Hoa

On the side of local leadership, the conference was attended by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha - Provincial Party Committee Member, Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Chau Ngo Anh Nhan - Director of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Finance; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Van Nha - Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Science; along with representatives from various departments, agencies, businesses, and domestic and international partners.

On the side of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), attendees included Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung - Secretary of the Party Committee, President of UEH, and Chair of RTD 2026; Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao - Vice President of UEH; Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Vice President of UEH; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the UEH Strategic Development Council; Assoc. Prof. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairwoman of the UEH Alumni Executive Board; Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - Chairman of the UEH Science and Education Council; along with leaders of member schools and units under UEH, scientists, experts, lecturers, researchers, and domestic and international learners.

In particular, the conference featured international keynote speakers including Prof. Yong-Guk Kim (Sejong University, South Korea), Prof. Soolyeon Cho (North Carolina State University, USA), along with experts from numerous international universities and research organizations.

Delivering the opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung - Secretary of the Party Committee, President of UEH, and Chair of RTD 2026 emphasized: "For UEH, the connections forged through RTD 2026 will not stop at the conference framework. We hope that the ideas, cooperative networks, and academic values shared today will continue to be nurtured in a long-term academic space in Nha Trang.”

Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung - Secretary of the Party Committee, President of UEH, and Chair of RTD 2026 delivering the opening speech

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha - Provincial Party Committee Member, Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee affirmed: "We hope that Khanh Hoa will not only be a tourist destination but also become a destination for knowledge, technology, innovation, and international cooperation." He also highly appreciated UEH's organization of RTD 2026 in Khanh Hoa, contributing to connecting academia, businesses, and management agencies to co-create solutions for green and sustainable maritime development.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha - Provincial Party Committee Member, Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee delivering a welcome speech at the conference

Within the conference framework, UEH and the Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Science signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen connections between the university, research institutes, and localities in scientific research, technology development, and human resource training.

The cooperation agreement focuses on scientific research and technology transfer, commercialization of research results, development of ocean technology and the blue economy, while promoting training and development of high-quality human resources, contributing to a foundation for interdisciplinary cooperation programs and serving sustainable development.

Signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between UEH and the Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Science

UEH and Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Science leadership exchanging commemorative gifts

From Artificial Intelligence to Net-Zero cities

More than an academic exchange forum, RTD 2026 in Khanh Hoa also opened a space for dialogue on the role of technology in building a sustainable future. The 02 keynote speeches offered international perspectives on artificial intelligence, integrated design, and innovative models shaping the future of cities, ecosystems, and marine economies.

Opening the program, Prof. Yong-Guk Kim - Department of Computer Engineering, Sejong University (South Korea) presented on "LLM-based 3D Scene Generation and Interaction for Immersive Experiences," introducing the potential of large language models (LLMs) in creating and interacting with 3D spaces, opening immersive experiences in education, entertainment, digital cities, and creative industries.

Prof. Yong-Guk Kim presenting on "LLM-based 3D Scene Generation and Interaction for Immersive Experiences"

Continuing the program, Prof. Soolyeon Cho - Director of the Building Energy Technology Laboratory, North Carolina State University (USA) delivered a presentation on "AI, Integrated Urban Design, and the Net-Zero City," sharing solutions applying artificial intelligence in integrated urban planning and design to optimize energy efficiency, enhance urban governance quality, and move toward Net-Zero cities.

Prof. Soolyeon Cho presenting on "AI, Integrated Urban Design, and the Net-Zero City"

Blue FutureScape: Interdisciplinary dialogue for a sustainable blue economy future

Following the keynote sessions, two Special Sessions under the "Blue FutureScape" series expanded the interdisciplinary dialogue on coastal development and sustainable marine economies.

The session "Blue FutureScape: Nature, Identity, and the Blue Economy in Coastal Development" was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Tu Anh Trinh - Director of the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), UEH College of Technology and Design, with the participation of Prof. Manfredo Manfredini, Dr. Ninik Suhartini, Dr. Krupa Rajangam, and Mr. Cho Kwanphil. The speakers discussed the relationship between nature, local identity, and the blue economy in coastal development, sharing international research and experiences to promote sustainable growth linked to resource conservation and the promotion of local cultural values.

In particular, the presentation "Preserving Agarwood Heritage, Opening the Future Path" by Mr. Mai Huu Bao Huy - Secretary of the Party Committee of Van Thang Commune, Khanh Hoa Province offered a practical perspective on preserving and promoting the value of the agarwood craft village in the context of Van Phong Economic Zone development, attracting much discussion among domestic and international experts.

Experts presenting at the special session "Blue FutureScape: Nature, Identity, and the Blue Economy in Coastal Development"

Discussion time at the session

Concurrently, the session "Blue FutureScape: Oceanovation for Sustainable Blue Growth" was moderated by Dr. Dang Tri Dung - Institute of Intelligent and Interactive Technology (3I), UEH College of Technology and Design, with participation from Dr. Vu Lan Nguyen, Dr. Nhieu Nhat Luong, Prof. Le Thanh Danh, and Prof. Yong-Guk Kim. The session focused on innovation in ocean technology, digital transformation, and the blue economy, emphasizing the role of science, technology, and international cooperation in effectively harnessing marine potential linked to ecosystem protection and long-term development.

Experts presenting and discussing at the special session "Blue FutureScape: Oceanovation for Sustainable Blue Growth"

Delegates and experts taking a commemorative photo

Following the special sessions, the conference held 03 Oral Parallel Sessions with 20 selected scientific presentations, qbringing together domestic and international scientists, lecturers, and researchers to share their latest research findings.

Session NX1 – Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability focused on research on community-based tourism linked to marine ecosystem conservation, marine environmental protection, green human resource management, green finance, and innovation for sustainable growth.

Session NX1: Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability

Session NX2 – Environmental, Economic and Technological Transitions discussed issues of environmental, economic, and technological transitions, from marine economic development, ecological transition, AI in tourism, to artificial intelligence applications in education and organizational governance.

Session NX2: Environmental, Economic and Technological Transitions

Session NX3 – Big Data, Machine Learning and Robotics introduced research applying big data, machine learning, and robotics in logistics, smart manufacturing, engineering simulation, and automation, contributing to expanding the application of advanced technologies across various socio-economic development sectors.

Session NX3: Big Data, Machine Learning and Robotics

Through these scientific sessions, RTD 2026 in Khanh Hoa continued to affirm its role as an international academic forum connecting interdisciplinary research, promoting knowledge exchange, and expanding cooperation to build technological and design solutions for sustainable development.

At the Farewell Dinner, the Organizing Committee announced the Best Paper award winners:

ID 98 - CLIMATE FINANCE AND BIODIVERSITY: INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE by the author group Lieu Thi Thy Nguyen, Long Hoang Nguyen, Quyen Thi Thao Tran, Vi Le Bui, Bao Cong Nguyen To from UEH Mekong (Vietnam);
ID 170 - INTERACTION DESIGN FOR COLOR VISION DEFICIENCY IN INTELLIGENT VEHICLE CENTER CONSOLES by the author group Carlos Sena Caires, Chan Kai, Zhang Xu from the University of Saint Joseph (Macao);
ID 122 - DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF ANTENNA SUBSTRATES TO MECHANICAL IMPACT FOR UNDERWATER APPLICATIONS by the author group Han-Yi Hsiao, Bor-Jiunn Wen from National Taiwan Ocean University (Taiwan).

Technical Trip - Connecting knowledge with marine development practice

Following the academic activities, on July 20, 2026, delegates, speakers, and domestic and international experts participated in a Technical Trip exploring the cultural spaces and characteristic landscapes of Khanh Hoa.

The delegation visited the Truong Son Art Garden and Craft Village, Hon Chong scenic spot, Ponagar Tower, experienced a boat cruise on the Cai River, interacted at a local garden house, and enjoyed Nha Trang's signature cuisine. The program not only provided experiences of culture, history, and local life but also contributed to connecting academic exchanges with the practical development of the marine economy, tourism, and local communities.

Delegation visiting sites during the Khanh Hoa Technical Trip

Concluding the "FutureScape: Ocean, Knowledge and Convergence" sub-theme, RTD 2026 in Khanh Hoa created a forum connecting scientists, experts, businesses, and policymakers to share knowledge, expand cooperation, and propose solutions for blue marine economic development in the context of digital transformation and climate change.

Through keynote sessions, thematic discussions, research presentations, cooperative networking activities, and practical experience programs, the conference continued to affirm the role of UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang in connecting research and innovation with local development practice, while contributing to the realization of UEH's Multi-disciplinary and Sustainable strategy for the 2021-2030 period, disseminating academic values and contributing to the sustainable development of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam, and the region.

"Research Contribution for All" Conference Series

“Embracing Knowledge Impact”

Towards the 50th anniversary of UEH's establishment, the "Research Contribution for All" scientific conference series with the message "Embracing Knowledge Impact" creates an open academic space where international keynote speakers disseminate knowledge, inspire innovation, and enhance the impact of research on the community.

The program is part of a series of 22 flagship activities aimed at repositioning and assigning new roles to the 08 heritage values from UEH's 50-year journey "Unity – Compassion – Dedication – Community – Pioneering – Co-creation – Sustainability – Internationalization".

Looking forward to the special milestone:

UEH Grand Anniversary “Embracing Future Together”

October 27, 2026 at A.116 Hall and livestream on UEH media & social media platforms

Explore more: https://ueh50.ueh.edu.vn/ or the UEH 50 Year Booklet at LINK.