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[UEH 50 Global Partners] UEH strengthens multilateral collaboration with universities, businesses, and local governments in the Netherlands
04 Jul, 2026
From June 26 - 29, 2026, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH)'s delegation conducted a working visit to the Netherlands to establish and strengthen multilateral cooperation with corporate, university, and local government partners.
While Dutch partners have successfully implemented the Triple Helix model connecting Government - Industry - Universities, UEH introduced a broader, sustainability-oriented perspective by integrating two additional dimensions: Nature and Community. This multilateral collaboration model aligns closely with UEH's vision of developing the "UniverCITY Innovation Hub", where the University serves as a connector, integrating knowledge and innovative solutions into the urban environment (CITY) to address real-world challenges.
The UEH delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung, President of UEH, and included Assoc. Prof. Trinh Tu Anh, Director of the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM); Mr. Dang The Hien, Program Director of the BAUD-KTS Program; Dr. Long Hoang; and Mr. Le Phan Truong An, Researchers at ISCM.
During engagements with industry partners in Heerenveen and Leeuwarden, the delegation visited Spruyt Waterwoningen's production facilities to study floating housing technologies and explore the potential application of water-adaptive solutions in Vietnam. In addition, discussions with Mr. Sebastiaan D. Smit, Lawyer and CEO of PCLC Law & Business Development, further developed plans for a Dutch trade mission to Vietnam in late 2026, focusing on the Blue Economy, while continuing the collaborative initiatives first launched with UEH in 2025.
Representative of Spruyt Waterwoningen introducing the basement structure of a floating house under construction
Exterior view of a floating house
Wildlands Zoo staff introducing sustainable tropical garden technologies for water and energy conservation
At Emmen City Hall, the delegation met with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Emmen, reaffirming the longstanding partnership between the City of Emmen, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, and Vietnamese partners. During the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung introduced UEH's strategic transformation into a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University, highlighting the University's capacity to connect academic expertise with practice through its International Research Groups and Policy Research Groups, which support local governments, businesses, and international partners. The subsequent field visits to the Giethoorn ecological water village and Wildlands Zoo also provided valuable insights into sustainable transportation and tourism models applicable to the Mekong Delta region.
The UEH delegation posing for a commemorative photo with the Mayor (center), Deputy Mayor of Emmen (center right), and Lawyer Sebastiaan D. Smit (far left)
Sustainable water management system at Wildlands Zoo utilizing smart water recovery, filtration, and reuse technologies to conserve resources
The academic exchange continued through a series of meetings at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). At the Field Lab "The Green Village," the delegation met with Executive Director Marjan Kreijns to review nearly three decades of research collaboration between TU Delft and Vietnam, supported by prestigious international funding programs. On this occasion, Assoc. Prof. Trinh Tu Anh presented UEH's research directions, ISCM's activities, and the smART Hub Living Labs currently being implemented at UEH. Dr. Long Hoang then introduced the Women4Mangrove Project in Cu Lao Dung (Soc Trang Province), led by UEH, illustrating the application of remote sensing technologies in mangrove forest management. Recognizing the strong alignment between the two institutions' research priorities and ongoing projects, Ms. Marjan expressed her intention to visit UEH in November 2026.
Assoc. Prof. Trinh Tu Anh presenting UEH's smART Hub Living Labs project
Executive Director Marjan Kreijns introducing part of The Green Village Field Lab
The discussions on architecture and urbanism concluded with a working session with the leadership of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at TU Delft. Professor Steffen Nijhuis and his colleagues introduced the Faculty's urban research programs, Delta Urbanism landscape design projects, and current academic programs. The UEH delegation also toured the Faculty's learning spaces, research facilities, and laboratories.
River flow simulation model at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft
Professor Steffen Nijhuis introducing the facilities of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at TU Delft
The two institutions discussing opportunities for future research and academic collaboration
Representatives of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at TU Delft and UEH participating in the UEH Flag Journey ceremony
The mission concluded with both parties agreeing on an action roadmap focusing on high-feasibility initiatives ("low-hanging fruit"). Specifically, the institutions will jointly prepare for the 2027 Summer School, discuss establishing an international research laboratory on the Blue Economy, and exchange experiences in developing new academic programs. Follow-up online meetings will be held in October this year to advance these initiatives and support UEH's long-term vision of developing the "UniverCITY Innovation Hub."
* Field Lab is a field laboratory that is a controlled outdoor testing environment for piloting new technologies and solutions, such as The Green Village at TU Delft
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News, photos: Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), Department of Communications and Partnerships
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