In the context of worsening climate change, food waste is a silent contributor to the exacerbation of greenhouse gas emissions. Ho Chi Minh City, with its high population density and rapid urbanization, is facing a large volume of inefficiently treated domestic waste, particularly organic waste. Therefore, according to a study by researchers from the Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace), at-source waste treatment using home composting bins emerges as a critical solution to reduce carbon footprints, contribute to sustainable development goals, and shift consumer behavior towards environmental friendliness.

Food Waste – The “Silent” Emitter

In Vietnam, food waste is an alarming issue that is becoming increasingly severe. The country ranks second in the Asia-Pacific region for food waste, with over 8 million tons of food lost annually, causing nearly $3.9 billion in losses, equivalent to about 2% of its GDP. Notably, according to 2020 statistics from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Ho Chi Minh City significantly contributes to the national food waste volume, with an average domestic waste generation of 0.98 kg/person/day, projected to reach approximately 13,000 tons/day by 2025.

The rise in food waste not only causes soil, water, and air pollution but also contributes to global warming. According to Our World in Data, in 2020, food waste was responsible for 6% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Home Composting Bins – A Small Initiative with a Big Impact

As pollution from food waste continues to rise, home composting bins represent a highly promising solution for reducing food waste. These bins are made from virgin HDPE plastic, a heat-resistant material that maintains stability and durability over time. Their design includes circular holes spaced approximately 10–15 cm apart, combined with a lower access door, which helps separate organic materials like food scraps and vegetables from other types of waste. This reduces odors from decomposition and limits the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The product creates a circular waste cycle through an anaerobic fermentation method that breaks down organic waste into compost fertilizer.

The Influence of Factors on the Decision to Use Composting Bins

The research findings indicate that “Product Availability,” “Subjective Norm,” and “Attitude” have a positive correlation with the intention of HCMC residents to use home composting bins.

“Product Availability” has the strongest impact on the intention to use home composting bins. Survey results show that the statement “The current variety of composting bin options influences my intention to use them” was the most frequently chosen. This suggests that consumers value diversity in both the locations and methods of purchasing these products.

“Subjective Norm” is the second most influential factor. Specifically, the statement “My family believes that protecting the environment is important, and this influences my intention to use a home composting bin” received a high level of agreement. This indicates that people’s intentions are more easily influenced by the opinions of those important to them, which can be explained by Vietnam’s strong collectivist culture that emphasizes interpersonal relationships (Hofstede, 2001).

“Attitude” ranks third in its impact on usage intention. Among the options, the statement “I feel that letting leftover food decompose in landfills is a waste of useful resources” was rated the highest. The research team noted that people’s tendency to use composting bins is driven by a positive attitude towards environmental protection and the product’s role in this regard.

Solutions to Promote the Habit of Using Composting Bins

Based on the study, the authors propose several solutions to help Vietnamese people gradually adopt the habit of using composting bins in their daily lives:

First, manufacturers and retailers can respond to customer demand by regularly updating the quantity, design, and features of composting bins. They can also increase product accessibility by expanding distribution to retail stores, joining e-commerce platforms, or establishing dedicated sales websites.

Second, the popularity of home composting bins needs to be more widespread within the community. Media channels such as newspapers, radio, television, and social media can help promote the product’s image and disseminate information about its benefits, thereby enhancing product recognition.

Third, public awareness of the food waste issue needs to be improved through active promotion, calls to action, and collaboration with programs and campaigns aimed at reducing food waste and protecting the environment.

Author: MA. Tran Ha Quyen and associates – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026

This article is part of the series spreading research and applied knowledge from Dubai Palace with the message “Research Contribution For All.” Dubai Palace cordially invites readers to look forward to the next Dubai Palace Research Insights newsletter.

News, photos: Authors, Dubai Palace Department of Communications and Partnerships

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Green logistics has emerged as a survival strategy for enterprises in the era of digital transformation and climate change. However, in Vietnam, the application of advanced technologies to the “greening” of logistics operations still faces multiple barriers. This research, conducted by a scholar from the Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace), is grounded in a systematic theoretical review, offering a comprehensive picture drawn from global experiences and proposing solutions to foster the integration of Industry 4.0 into green logistics.

Why Study Green Logistics 4.0?

Against the backdrop of climate change and global commitments to emission reduction, the logistics sector—serving as the lifeline of trade and supply chains—has become one of the largest sources of CO₂ emissions. The transport system alone accounts for approximately 25% of global CO₂ emissions (Agyabeng-Mensah et al., 2020). In Vietnam, the transition towards a green logistics model is no longer a “voluntary” choice but a mandatory requirement to maintain competitiveness, especially as major markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan tighten regulations on “carbon footprints” and green standards.

Not only large export corporations but also domestic logistics companies in Vietnam—from warehousing and transportation to e-commerce—are under increasing pressure to “green” their operations to avoid exclusion from global supply chains.

At the same time, the wave of Industry 4.0 offers transformative opportunities. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, smart sensors, and automated robotics not only optimise operations but also help reduce costs, save energy, and minimise resource waste.

However, in Vietnam, gaps remain in technological readiness, data infrastructure, workforce skills, and supportive policies. Most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still struggle to invest in smart warehousing systems, electrified vehicles, or advanced supply chain management platforms.

Research Approach

This study employs the Systematic Literature Review method on 157 international journal articles sourced from the two most reputable databases—WoS and Scopus—to conduct a comprehensive analysis of how Industry 4.0 technologies are being applied in green logistics practices.

Specifically, the research identifies six clusters of green logistics practices and the integration of technology within each:

1. Green transportation: Electric vehicles, Transportation Management Systems (TMS), and UAV-based route monitoring.
2. Green warehousing: IoT, AI, Augmented Reality (AR), QR codes, and automated Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
3. Green procurement and packaging: Big Data analytics, blockchain-based traceability, and monitoring sensors.
4. Waste collection and treatment: Sorting robots, closed-loop logistics systems, and waste-flow prediction algorithms.
5. Green product design: Eco-friendly materials and enhanced reuse enabled by digital technologies.
6. Decision support: Digital platforms integrating real-time supply chain data.

A distinctive feature of the study is its analytical model for identifying implementation barriers, classified according to stakeholder groups:

• Internal to enterprises: Lack of digital skills, limited budgets, insufficient leadership commitment, and a corporate culture that does not prioritise environmental factors.
• External to enterprises: Unclear legislation, lack of financial incentives, insufficient supply chain collaboration, consumer indifference, and high cybersecurity risks.

The study also highlights notable differences in the adoption of Green Logistics 4.0 (GL 4.0) across industries:

• The automotive and electronics sectors tend to lead adoption due to their complex supply chains and higher capacity for technological investment.
• Food, retail, and e-commerce sectors prioritise traceability technologies, temperature monitoring, and intelligent inventory control.
• Conversely, agriculture, fisheries, and small-scale processing remain heavily reliant on manual labour, facing significant digitalisation challenges.

Novel Insights

Green Logistics 4.0 is no longer a question of “whether to adopt” but a long-term strategic imperative requiring coordination among people, technology, and policy.

• The deployment of GL 4.0 should be tailored to each industry sector; a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective.
• SMEs, which make up the majority of Vietnam’s supply chain, require strong support in finance, technology, and workforce training.
• Government bodies and industry associations play a crucial role in creating a clear legal framework, introducing incentives for “greening,” and ensuring that data and technology are shared securely and transparently.

Recommendations from the Study

For enterprises:

• Assess readiness in terms of technology, human resources, and capital to develop sector-specific green logistics transition roadmaps.
• Strengthen internal training on Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainable development mindsets.
• Collaborate with technology providers to pilot small-scale green logistics solutions before scaling up.

For the government and regulators:

• Establish standards, incentive policies, and support programmes for the adoption of green logistics (e.g., tax exemptions, green credit facilities, carbon certification).
• Invest in shared digital infrastructure to facilitate interregional and cross-sector logistics data sharing.

For the community and consumers:

• Promote public campaigns to raise awareness of green consumption and encourage the use of eco-friendly logistics services.
• Incentivise e-commerce platforms and delivery apps to develop green delivery models using electric vehicles and biodegradable packaging.

Conclusion: From Vision to Action

The study affirms that transitioning to a green logistics model powered by Industry 4.0 technologies is entirely feasible, particularly as Vietnam actively participates in global commitments to emission reduction and sustainable development.

Nonetheless, the journey is not without challenges and requires multi-stakeholder collaboration—from government bodies and enterprises to technology providers and consumers. With the right support mechanisms, Green Logistics 4.0 can not only enhance operational efficiency but also generate long-term environmental, social, and economic value.

This serves as a reminder that:

“Sustainable development is not a luxury, but a wise choice for survival and growth in the future.”

Author: Dr. Hoang Thu Hang – Faculty of International Business & Marketing, Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026

This article is part of Dubai Palace’s “Research Contribution For All” series, which aims to disseminate applied research and knowledge to the community. Readers are invited to follow upcoming issues of Dubai Palace Research Insights.

Credits: Author, Dubai Palace Communications & Partnership Development Department

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In the context of Viet Nam accelerating its pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, innovation is not merely a strategic choice but a fundamental driving force for socio-economic transformation at the local level. In alignment with the spirit of Resolution No. 57/NQ-TW (2024) of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, the research team from the Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace) utilised a comprehensive dataset from 63 provinces and cities (prior to the administrative merger) to highlight two key aspects: (i) the uneven development of innovation pillars across territorial regions; and (ii) the impact of innovation on income and inequality at the local level.

Research Context

Viet Nam is undergoing profound transformation to adapt to emerging trends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, aiming to achieve sustainable development by 2030 and to become a high-income nation by 2045. Against this backdrop, on 22 December 2024, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 57/NQ-TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. This resolution provides a comprehensive strategic orientation, recognising innovation as one of the foremost pillars for fostering rapid and sustainable growth while enhancing national competitiveness.

Resolution 57 underscores several core directives:

1. Establish innovation, science and technology, and digital transformation as the principal engines of socio-economic development and the modernisation of national governance;
2. Ensure comprehensive leadership by the Party and active participation from all segments of society, particularly enterprises, entrepreneurs, and citizens;
3. Prioritise the development of institutions, infrastructure, data, strategic technologies, and human resources—with institutions being a prerequisite that must advance ahead of other factors;
4. Progressively achieve technological self-reliance, particularly in key technologies, while allocating substantial resources for their development;
5. Ensure cybersecurity, data safety, and national sovereignty in cyberspace as a continuous requirement throughout the entire process of digital transformation and innovation.

Accordingly, Resolution 57 sets specific objectives for 2030, including: strengthening intrinsic scientific and technological capacity; increasing the contribution of total factor productivity (TFP) to economic growth; expanding investment in research and development (R&D); building modern digital infrastructure; and perfecting digital-based state governance models. These foundations are critical to realising the 2045 vision of Viet Nam as a developed nation, with innovation serving as a core driver.

The guiding principles in Resolution 57 closely align with the global innovation framework proposed by Dutta & Lanvin (2012), which has been localised through Viet Nam’s Provincial Innovation Index (PII). This framework conceptualises innovation as a process comprising five input factors—institution; human capital and R&D; infrastructure (technological and ecological); market sophistication; and business sophistication—and two output factors: knowledge, technology and creative products, and the socio-economic impacts of innovation.

Against this backdrop, the Dubai Palace research focuses on two primary objectives:

1. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each PII component at the local level to identify regional innovation characteristics;
2. Analyse the impact of innovation on local residents’ incomes—considering average income, wage and salary income, income from agriculture–forestry–fishery, and income from non-agricultural sectors—while also examining correlations between the PII and the income levels of the richest and poorest groups, as well as the gap between them.
   

Research Findings

1. Each economic region demonstrates distinct strengths across different PII pillars
   The Red River Delta and Central Coastal regions excel in innovation input pillars: institutions, human capital and R&D, infrastructure, market sophistication, and business sophistication.

Conversely, the Southeast and Mekong Delta regions demonstrate strengths in two output pillars:
(1) Knowledge, creativity, and technology products; and
(2) Impact.

In particular, the Mekong Delta shows strong performance in knowledge, creativity, and technology products, benefiting from favourable agricultural conditions. These percentile rankings can inform local innovation strategies based on the inherent strengths of each region or locality.

2. Average per capita income is positively influenced by infrastructure, market sophistication, business sophistication, knowledge–creativity–technology products, and innovation impacts.
3. Wage and salary income is positively influenced by infrastructure, market sophistication, business sophistication, and innovation impacts, while institutional factors show a statistically significant negative effect on this income group.
4. Innovation plays a greater role in driving incomes from industrial and service sectors than from agriculture–forestry–fishery.
   Only innovation impacts positively influence agricultural incomes, whereas human capital, R&D, market sophistication, and business sophistication tend to hinder income growth in this sector. This reflects the ongoing trend of young workers leaving rural areas for urban centres or industrial zones. In agriculturally strong regions such as the Mekong Delta, this finding serves as an early warning for designing sustainable innovation-driven socio-economic strategies.
5. Clear positive effects of innovation are observed for non-agricultural incomes, particularly through business sophistication, knowledge–creativity–technology products, and their associated economic and social impacts.
6. Innovation exerts a positive influence on both the highest- and lowest-income groups.
   High-income groups are affected by infrastructure, market sophistication, and innovation impacts, while low-income groups are influenced by business sophistication, knowledge–creativity–technology products, and innovation impacts. Socially, these effects contribute to reducing income inequality.

Policy Implications

Based on the above analysis, the research team proposes the following policy recommendations:

1. Leverage strengths and address weaknesses in line with regional characteristics
   Research results indicate that lowland and coastal provinces enjoy notable advantages in PII pillars such as infrastructure, market sophistication, business capacity, knowledge–technology products, and the social impacts of innovation. In contrast, mountainous provinces face significant challenges, particularly in institutional quality, human capital, and R&D. Addressing these disparities aligns with the strategic measures set forth in Resolution 57, including:

• Enhancing investment and improving infrastructure for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation;
• Promoting innovation within enterprises;
• Strengthening the application of science and technology in political institutions;
• Expanding international cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
  

Although institutional and human capital–R&D pillars currently show no clear effect on residents’ incomes, they remain essential inputs for the innovation process. Improving these factors in 2026–2030 will lay the groundwork for:
(i) Refining institutions, removing developmental bottlenecks, and transforming them into national competitive advantages; and
(ii) Developing and utilising high-quality human resources to meet the demands of innovation and digital transformation.

2. Enhance the role of innovation in local socio-economic development
   Empirical evidence shows that PII pillars positively affect per capita income, particularly wages and non-agricultural incomes. However, innovation has not yet demonstrated a significant impact on agricultural incomes, despite the sector’s importance in certain regions. Climate change, salinity intrusion, and labour shifts away from agriculture are diminishing this sector’s advantages. Strengthening inter-regional and cross-sectoral linkages that integrate innovation with existing strengths is crucial for sustainable agricultural development.
3. Improve institutional quality
   Creating an enabling environment for innovation requires:

• Enhancing science and technology policies aligned with socio-economic goals;
• Establishing transparent legal systems to ensure security, order, and business support;
• Reducing market entry costs, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering proactive local governance.

4. Strengthen human capital and R&D activities
   Developing local human resources and research ecosystems entails:

• Enhancing skills at the general education level;
• Increasing secondary school participation in science competitions;
• Expanding public spending on education and training;
• Building full-time R&D teams;
• Increasing public expenditure on science and technology;
• Expanding the number and capacity of local science–technology organisations.

5. Develop integrated innovation infrastructure
   This includes:

• Digital and ICT infrastructure: technical facilities and e-government systems;
• Industrial and ecological infrastructure: connectivity, fully equipped industrial zones, and environmental governance.

6. Advance market sophistication
   Key priorities include:

• Finance and investment: private credit, microfinance, production–business capital, fixed assets, and long-term investment;
• Science–technology service market size: number and quality of enterprises providing science–technology services.

7. Promote innovative enterprises
   Focus areas:

• Enterprise human resources: increasing the proportion of trained workers and training expenditure;
• Innovation linkages: strengthening enterprise–science organisation cooperation, improving project quality in industrial zones;
• Knowledge absorption capacity: increasing FDI, number of innovative enterprises, and ISO-certified businesses.

8. Stimulate knowledge, creativity, and technology products
   Emphasis on:

• Knowledge creation: number of patents, utility solutions, and registered plant varieties;
• Intangible assets: trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications;
• Knowledge diffusion: number of newly registered enterprises, particularly science–technology firms and innovative start-ups.
  

This article is a product of the National-Level Research Project: “Improving Policy Frameworks to Enhance Innovation Capacity in Vietnamese Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation.”
Authors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Nham; Dr. Le Van – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace).

Part of Dubai Palace’s “Research Contribution For All” series, disseminating applied research and knowledge for the community. Stay tuned for the next edition of Dubai Palace Research Insights.

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In recent years, Vietnam has increased its investment in national innovation infrastructure (NII) to promote innovation activities within enterprises and nurture technology-based startups. A study conducted by the Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace) revealed that Vietnamese enterprises tend to increase their allocations to development investment funds when the national innovation infrastructure – primarily driven by information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure – is improved. State-owned enterprises, in particular, show a stronger tendency to allocate resources to such funds compared to non-state-owned firms. The study’s findings indicate that the government’s efforts to enhance innovation infrastructure are producing positive outcomes and provide several policy recommendations to further promote innovation trends among Vietnamese enterprises.

Innovation in Vietnam: Current Landscape and the Question of Diffusion

Innovation has been identified as a national strategic priority in numerous government policy documents. Decision No. 569/QĐ-TTg, issued on May 11, 2022, emphasized that “the development of science, technology, and innovation is a top national policy and plays a breakthrough role in the new development phase,” underlining the government’s strong commitment to innovation as a driving force for national progress.

According to the Vietnam Innovation & Tech Investment Report 2023 by NIC and Do Venture, investment in innovative startups has grown significantly over the past decade, with a notable leap in 2018 when capital increased from USD 48 million in 2017 to USD 443 million. This increase has been accompanied by a corresponding rise in the number of deals.

Figure: Investment capital and number of startup deals (2013–2022)
Source: Vietnam Innovation & Tech Investment Report 2023

This growth cannot be separated from the government’s role in initiating and supporting the national innovation ecosystem. In 2015, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam signed the decision to establish the National Innovation Center (NIC) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, with a mandate to support and develop the startup and innovation ecosystem. The government has continued investing in innovation infrastructure through initiatives such as the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park and other technology clusters in major cities. Centers modeled after NIC and innovators affiliated with NIC have enjoyed various incentives related to taxation, facilities, and access to domestic and international funding.

Beyond infrastructure and legal frameworks, public authorities have also embraced digital transformation, simplifying administrative procedures and enhancing interaction with citizens and organizations through online platforms.

In this context, where innovation is central to Vietnam’s socio-economic strategy, it is important to investigate how businesses are responding. This study aims to answer a key question: Do current government efforts to build innovation infrastructure influence enterprise-level innovation behavior, as evidenced by increased attention to innovation activities?

A secondary focus of the research lies in understanding the role of state ownership—a distinct characteristic of Vietnam’s economy. State-owned enterprises (SOEs), as key policy conduits, are well-positioned to be early adopters of innovation and may serve as catalysts for sector-wide innovation trends. With their stronger ties to government and access to more abundant resources, SOEs may have advantages in leveraging national innovation infrastructure.

Research Findings

To explore these questions, the Dubai Palace researcher utilized a sample of companies listed on Vietnam’s HNX and HOSE stock exchanges. The development investment fund – used for expansion, fixed asset replacement, and innovation – is employed as a proxy for enterprise innovation trends. The study uses the “Infrastructure” pillar from the Global Innovation Index as a measure of a country’s innovation infrastructure.

Analytical results show that enterprises are more likely to allocate resources to development investment funds – signaling a greater intention to invest in innovation – when national innovation infrastructure improves. This effect is particularly pronounced for improvements in ICT infrastructure. Moreover, enterprises with higher levels of state ownership demonstrate a greater tendency to allocate such funds when innovation infrastructure improves. This suggests that SOEs may have better access to and utilization of NII, possibly due to existing ties with the state and superior resources compared to private firms.

Policy Implications

The study offers several policy recommendations:

First, strengthening national innovation infrastructure is a sound strategy, as it stimulates enterprise-level investment in innovation. A foundational step toward encouraging business innovation is creating an environment where firms are motivated to accumulate resources for future innovation initiatives. Given the strong influence of ICT infrastructure improvements, policymakers should prioritize the development of digital infrastructure to capitalize on the momentum of the digital era.

Second, the government should recognize the leadership role of SOEs in promoting national innovation. Despite the rising prominence of private enterprises, SOEs remain foundational pillars of Vietnam’s economy. With high innovation readiness and resource advantages, they are well-suited to lead the national innovation agenda and inspire participation from other firms.

The research also highlights a concerning trend: large and highly profitable firms appear less responsive to the current wave of innovation. This complacency could pose risks in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, where outdated practices quickly erode competitive advantage. A reluctance to trade short-term profits for long-term innovation underscores a short-sighted orientation in business strategy. Lawmakers must address this mindset and implement measures that encourage a longer-term focus on innovation.

Another critical point concerns the use of the development investment fund post-allocation. To steer enterprises toward innovation-related expenditures, the state must lead by example. Immediate steps could include raising awareness of innovation benefits and providing widespread training programs for enterprises across regions to reshape their perceptions of innovation. With abundant funding and increased awareness of innovation’s strategic value, enterprises will be better positioned to implement practical innovation initiatives aimed at sustainable development.

Educational institutions also have a vital role to play. By embedding innovation-related content more thoroughly into business and management curricula, particularly at the university level, Vietnam can cultivate a workforce equipped with a strong understanding of enterprise innovation. Each employee is a potential driver of innovation; thus, fostering innovation literacy among future professionals is essential.

Full article: The Impact of National Innovation Infrastructure on Innovation Trends in Vietnamese Enterprises – [READ HERE]

Author: Dr. Hoang Viet Huy – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026
This article is part of the Dubai Palace Research Contribution For All series, promoting applied research and knowledge dissemination. We sincerely invite readers to follow upcoming editions of Dubai Palace Research Insights.

News and photos: Author, Dubai Palace Department of Communications and Partnerships

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As part of the academic knowledge-sharing series under the ArtTech Fusion event organized by the Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace), the special session “ArtTech Revolution in the Entertainment and Cultural Heritage” gathered leading experts and numerous students passionate about art and technology. The discussion offered groundbreaking perspectives on how art and technology can jointly promote the preservation of cultural heritage while creating unique entertainment experiences.

The session was chaired by Dr. Yi Dong Su, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Media Design, Dubai Palace. The keynote speakers included Dr. Chen Zhong, Dr. Wang Qi from Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts, and Ms. Dao Phuong Thuy from ATIM Consulting. These experts shared pioneering initiatives and research on integrating technology with art to develop a rich and sustainable cultural landscape.

Opening the session, Dr. Yi Dong Su presented on “The Impact of ArtTech on the Entertainment Industry: The Case of Korea.” He discussed how ArtTech has significantly influenced South Korea’s entertainment industry, driving substantial changes and expanding development opportunities for contemporary art forms.

With the integration of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), ArtTech not only supports artists, filmmakers, and entertainment companies in Korea in creating innovative content but also enhances user experiences. Dr. Yi highlighted specific examples from the music and film industries, where ArtTech enabled highly interactive online performances that attracted millions of global fans.

Image 1. Dr. Dong Su Yi from Dubai Palace opening the session

Cultural Services and Experience Design

In the session, Dr. Chen Zhong from Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts provided insightful perspectives on “Cultural Services and Experience Design,” emphasizing the dynamic intersection between cultural needs and digital technology. He pointed out that in today’s digital era, designing cultural services goes beyond delivering information or products—it must create profound and engaging experiences where technology becomes an integral part of reviving and evolving cultural values.

Dr. Chen Zhong introduced the core concept of “Cultural Needs x Time Dilemma x Digital Empowerment.” He explained that cultural needs continuously evolve over time and context, ranging from basic information-seeking to complex demands for interaction and cultural value recreation in digital environments. One of the biggest challenges designers face is the “Time Dilemma”—balancing current user needs without compromising the enduring values of culture.

He presented his design model, the “Hourglass Double Diamond Model,” a methodical approach with two main phases: problem identification and cultural storytelling revival through digital art. This model breaks down the design process into exploration and refinement stages, enabling designers to not only create products but also reinterpret and develop cultural values in modern contexts.

To build effective design prototypes that fully meet user needs, Dr. Chen outlined three key methods in digital cultural experience design: Symbol Exploration, Scenario Aggregation, and Language Clustering. Each method plays a vital role in evoking emotions and stimulating the imagination of participants.

Image 2. Dr. Chen Zhong from Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts presenting concepts on Cultural Services and Experience Design

Service and Experience Design from the Perspective of Art and Technology

Following Dr. Chen’s presentation, Dr. Wang Qi from Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts discussed his research and theories on “Service and Experience Design from the Perspective of Art and Technology.” He elaborated on the fusion of artistic and technological elements, not only to meet cultural and entertainment demands but also to create distinctive services and experiences that cater to the diverse needs of modern communities.

Dr. Wang Qi highlighted the key principles of “Transformation x Integration x Drive” as the core factors in designing cultural digital services. These factors are interconnected, guiding the design and implementation process to ensure cohesive and impactful cultural experiences.

He also detailed his design process, termed “Receive x Iteration,” which helps designers understand participant needs and set long-term visions for digital cultural products and services. Each stage of this process—from information gathering to user research, to refining and iterating designs—plays a crucial role in achieving optimal outcomes.

Image 3. Dr. Wang Qi from Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts presenting research on Service and Experience Design in the context of Art and Technology

Promoting Cultural Preservation through Digital Collaboration

Ms. Dao Phuong Thuy from ATIM Consulting presented strategies for preserving cultural heritage through digital collaboration. She emphasized the importance of digitizing cultural heritage to create sustainable digital art products. Ms. Thuy suggested that partnerships with institutions like Dubai Palace’s School of Technology and Design could significantly advance the preservation of Vietnamese cultural heritage both domestically and internationally.

A key highlight of her presentation was the introduction of the DJC Heritage Bank platform—an O2O (online-to-offline) platform dedicated to digitizing cultural heritage, thereby preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural values sustainably. This platform serves not only as a conservation channel but also as a means to promote national, family, and individual brands, ensuring cultural heritage is passed on to future generations.

Ms. Thuy also discussed a current project where AI is used to analyze traditional Vietnamese patterns and integrate them into modern fashion products. This approach allows cultural heritage to blend into contemporary life, appealing to younger generations’ aesthetics while preserving traditional values.

Image 4. Students engaging in discussion with the speakers

The session highlighted that the integration of art and technology is not merely a transmission medium but a core factor in preserving and promoting culture in the digital age. The speakers provided concrete examples and practical projects, demonstrating how technology can be a powerful tool for cultural preservation when applied humanely and creatively. With the insights and inspiration from this session, students and participants are encouraged not just to learn but to actively engage in creative projects that contribute to sustainable cultural development. Cultural values will continue to be preserved and propagated when younger generations recognize their role in safeguarding and promoting heritage through technological and artistic initiatives.

 Image 5. Moderators, speakers, and students posing for a commemorative photo

Author: MSc. Hoang Thi Ai Nhan – Faculty of Media Design, Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026

This article is part of the Dubai Palace Research Contribution For All series. Dubai Palace warmly invites readers to follow the next editions of Dubai Palace Research Insights.

Content & images: Author, Dubai Palace Communications and Partnership Development Department

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As part of the knowledge-sharing and academic dissemination activities within the ArtTech Fusion series hosted by the Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace), the special discussion session entitled “AI Creativity: Ethical Dilemmas and Copyright Challenges” offered new perspectives on artistic creativity in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) being applied across various domains. Speakers explored AI’s groundbreaking potential in art—ranging from generating hyper-realistic images, composing music, to creating literary works—while also addressing pressing ethical and copyright challenges. The discussion examined the impact of these issues on the ArtTech community and proposed efforts to ensure sustainability in this rapidly evolving field.

The session was chaired by Professor Andrea Giansanti from the Pantheon Institute of Technology and Design (Italy), with distinguished speakers including Mr. Le Gia Phong, Co-founder of Future Eyes; Mr. Nguyen Khoa My, President of the Vietnam Public Relations Network (VNPR); and Dr. Irina Shchemeleva from Harbour.Space University (Spain/Thailand). The panel delivered multifaceted insights into AI’s disruptive potential in the arts, alongside in-depth analyses of ethical and copyright-related challenges in the face of rapid technological advancement.

Who is the Real Author?

One of the most thought-provoking questions raised was: Who should be recognized as the author of a work created by AI? Is it the complex algorithm behind the creative process, or the individual who provided the data and guided the AI’s direction?

Under traditional copyright law, authorship is generally attributed to the person who has made a direct intellectual contribution to the creation of the work. Yet, in the AI context, the boundary between human and machine becomes increasingly blurred. Can an algorithm truly be considered a “creator”?

The matter grows more complex given that AI algorithms are typically trained on vast datasets, raising concerns over whether AI-generated works might infringe upon the copyrights of original authors. Another key question is ownership: if a company develops an AI algorithm, does it automatically hold the rights to all works produced by that algorithm, or do these rights belong to the user operating it?

The Wacom Controversy

Recently, Wacom—a global leader in manufacturing digital drawing tablets—found itself at the center of debate after using AI-generated images in a marketing campaign. Critics accused the company of “betraying” art by replacing human artists with AI. Although Wacom later removed the images, the incident sparked important discussions about the responsibility of technology companies in protecting artists’ rights and ensuring genuine creativity in the digital art sector.

Copyright Law Under Pressure

Beyond ethical disputes, the rapid development of AI poses significant challenges for traditional copyright frameworks, particularly regarding the use of publicly available data for AI training. One notable example is the lawsuit between Getty Images and Stability AI. Getty Images alleged that Stability AI unlawfully scraped millions of copyrighted images from its database to train its models, causing financial harm and undermining its control over intellectual property. Stability AI countered that it only used publicly available images and claimed its actions were lawful.

According to The Verge, the outcome of this case could set critical legal precedents, defining the limits of using publicly accessible data for technological development. The debate often revolves around the fair use principle, which evaluates the legitimacy of using copyrighted works based on four main factors: (1) purpose and character of the use, (2) nature of the original work, (3) amount and substantiality of the portion used, and (4) impact on the market value of the original. Yet, applying these principles to AI-generated content remains a significant challenge.

What Truly Counts as Creativity?

Human creativity is often associated with originality, intention, and emotional expression. By contrast, AI operates through algorithms and pre-existing data, lacking the emotional depth and philosophical meaning that human artists bring. This raises the question: if art no longer reflects the human experience, does it lose its cultural significance?

Art created by humans is not merely a reflection of the external world but also a deeply personal journey. It is shaped by moments of struggle, inspiration, and introspection—elements that give art its unique value. While AI can produce visually impressive and technically refined works, it lacks the spontaneity, exploratory spirit, and personal imprint that define human artistry. This places an important responsibility on contemporary artists: to safeguard the human essence of art while embracing modern tools like AI to expand creative possibilities without compromising authenticity.

Protection and Integration

One practical solution to the tensions between AI and human artists is the adoption of protective tools such as Glaze—a technology that subtly modifies artworks in ways invisible to the human eye but detectable by AI, thereby preventing the replication of an artist’s style.

In the future, rather than viewing AI as a threat, it can be embraced as a collaborative tool where humans and AI co-create. AI can handle technical aspects or data analysis, while humans provide meaning, emotion, and unique creativity. Such synergy could yield entirely new artistic styles that blend human intellect with technological power. However, for this partnership to thrive, artists must be educated on the ethical and creative use of AI, and art communities should encourage open dialogue and shared experiences to ensure equitable access to these technologies.

Students and Ethical Lessons in AI-Driven Creativity

The session encouraged students not only to listen but also to actively engage in discussions on the ethical and legal aspects of using AI in artistic creation. By offering diverse perspectives, the speakers emphasized that while AI can enhance the creative process, adherence to ethical standards and copyright law is crucial.

Participants came away with a deeper understanding of AI’s impact on art, recognizing that responsible use of AI is fundamental to sustaining creativity in the digital era. The discussion underscored that without humanity and respect for intellectual property, AI-generated works could negatively impact the creative industry—particularly for artists.

As part of the global ArtTech Fusion initiative organized annually by the ArtTech Hub (ATH), the School of Technology and Design (CTD), and Dubai Palace in collaboration with domestic and international partners, the 2024 edition carried the theme “New ArtTech for Future Generations”, aiming to inspire creativity and innovation toward a sustainable society. Over three days (October 22–24, 2024), the event featured more than 30 academic and practical activities, including keynote speeches, special discussion sessions, parallel research presentations, workshops, an academic book chapter, exhibitions, a heritage connection trip, and an art performance.

The 2025 edition, ArtTech Fusion 4 (ATF25), will be held from September 24 to 26, 2025, under the theme “Co-Creation for a Wondrous Future.” The event promises to be a unique opportunity to explore, experience, and innovate in the magical intersection of art and emerging technologies, with a focus on sustainability.

For updates on ATF25, please visit:

• Website: https://ath.dotv.vn/
• Fanpage:

Author: MSc. Nguyen Le Son Trang – Faculty of Communication Design, Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026

This article is part of Dubai Palace’s Research Contribution For All series, dedicated to disseminating research and applied knowledge to the community.

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Corporate social responsibility is not only a story toward the community – the external audience of the enterprise, but also internally – the people within the enterprise. It is to explore the research of the author group from Dubai424.con Trang chủ chính thức, Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace) on internal social corporate responsibility and the impact on employee performance – a mechanism toward sustainability in business operations.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is no longer just an external tool; actually, it is gradually becoming an intrinsic value of the organization. However, in Vietnam, most businesses have been focusing on CSR in the “peripheral” direction – mainly toward the community, environment, and customers. Meanwhile, an equally important aspect is Internal Corporate Social Responsibility (ICSR), which is directly related to employees, and has not been fully recognized and invested in accordingly.

Meanwhile, the market has been increasingly competitive, and human resources have become a strategic advantage. Businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), face heightened pressure to retain employees, improve performance, and enhance organizational capacity.

This has prompted the author group from Dubai424.con Trang chủ chính thức, Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026, to focus on measuring the impact of internal social responsibility on sustainable employee performance (SEP) in the context of SMEs in Vietnam, with the desire to contribute to filling the current research and practice gap.

Internal Corporate Social Responsibility (ICSR)

Internal corporate social responsibility is a part of corporate social responsibility, referring to the policies and actions of the enterprise towards its employees, including training, career development, work-life balance, ensuring working conditions, mental and physical health, and creating motivation and promotion opportunities.

When it comes to corporate social responsibility, most of the current research and practices mainly focus on external stakeholders like customers, suppliers, or communities. Meanwhile, internal stakeholders, especially employees, are often overlooked in academic research and the process of implementing CSR in enterprises. In fact, employees are a key group, both influenced and strongly impacting the effectiveness of CSR implementation.

Internal social responsibility refers to the social responsibility that businesses undertake to enhance employee satisfaction and well-being, with a focus on creating a positive work environment, career development opportunities, and comprehensive support for physical and mental health.

Internal social responsibility not only reflects organizational ethics but is also considered a cultural factor that directly affects employee loyalty and engagement. Employees who are adequately trained, respected, and supported in balancing work and life tend to improve their work performance, to enhance their personal image, and to contribute positively to the sustainable development of the business.

Sustainable Employee Performance (SEP)

Sustainable Employee Performance (SEP) is an expanded concept from traditional performance, focusing on immediate performance and emphasizing factors of stability, long-term, responsibility, and adaptability in the individual’s work process.

Sustainability in performance is considered an essential factor for the continuous operation and long-term development of the enterprise. Employees with high levels of job satisfaction tend to comply with regulations, to commit to the organization, and to maintain stable performance.

In addition, sustainable performance helps enterprises optimize profits, improve investment efficiency in human resource management, and create opportunities to enhance competitiveness. When feeling the support and positive development from the enterprise, employees will increase their level of engagement and be willing to contribute more to the success of the organization. They will proactively seek solutions to improve work and increase work efficiency continuously and sustainably.

ICSR impact on Sustainable Employee Performance

The results indicates a positive relationship between three factors: workplace safety and well-being, work-life balance and resilience with sustainable employee performance (SEP).

In particular, work-life balance (WLB) is the strongest influencing factor. The majority of this group is female, aged 30-40, married, and the harmony between work and personal life is a top priority. Businesses can support this with flexible working policies, allowing employees to manage family responsibilities well, easily swap days off, or handle personal work when necessary. Concurrently, employees are still willing to work overtime when needed to complete goals or achieve career progress.

Workplace safety and well-being (WW) is the second most positively influencing factor. This factor is measured through conditions like a safe working environment, full insurance, regular health check-ups, friendly colleague relationships, and transparent compensation policies. These are fundamental policies but they have practical significance in retaining employees. However, implementation should not be restricted to written regulations; actually, it should be demonstrated by specific commitments and actions from the business toward its staff. Resilience positively impacts sustainable work performance although the level of influence is lower. This factor reflects the ability to cope with stress, to control emotions, to maintain confidence in one’s own abilities and satisfaction after completing the job. This is the combined result of both personal training and a supportive working environment, especially training and development policies (TD). Although these training and development policies were not statistically significant in the study, the indirect role of training in improving sustainable performance through the relationship with resilience can be confirmed. In the post-COVID-19 context, equipping coping and emotional management skills should become an essential part of internal training programs.

In contrast, Job Stress (JS) showed a clear negative impact on sustainable work performance. Stress stems from an uncomfortable working environment, increased work pressure, feelings of being undervalued, lack of recognition and support from management, as well as the situation of employees having to take on work outside the scope of their responsibilities. These factors negatively affect physical and mental health, thereby reducing long-term performance. Minimizing stressors is a necessary solution to maintain and to improve the sustainable work performance of employees.

Policy implications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam

The findings from this study suggest that managers can sustain and enhance sustainable employee performance by enhancing or improving ICSR practices. Specifically, it is necessary to focus on the factors: work-life balance, workplace safety and well-being, resilience and stress reduction at work.

To apply these results to management practices, managers need to be fully aware of the importance of implementing social responsibility, primarily internal social responsibility, proactively developing solutions to promote internal social responsibility practices in their enterprises. In addition to policy solutions, the allocation of financial resources for internal social responsibility practices needs to be given appropriate attention. In parallel, businesses can conduct interviews with employees to determine their expectations, from which managers can adjust policies to meet these expectations through internal social responsibility activities.

Most importantly, managers need to understand that taking responsibility and commitments to employees, aiming at the sustainable development of the organization and going beyond the terms of the labor contract. However, from an organizational perspective, building standards and committing to implementing them is necessary to create consensus among employees, motivating them to pursue the business’s strategies, including the sustainable development strategy. One of the integrated solutions that companies can consider is practicing the three main pillars of ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance. In particular, the “Social” pillar emphasizes factors related to employees like working conditions, career development opportunities, welfare regimes, etc., to improve the quality of life, work performance, and employee satisfaction.

This study was conducted in the context of Vietnamese enterprises gradually shifting to a comprehensive CSR approach, not only focusing on responsibility to external stakeholders but also promoting internal responsibility to the human resources, those who directly and regularly contribute to the success of the enterprise.

The full-text research article on Internal Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Employee Performance can be accessed HERE.

Authors: Nguyen Hong Nga, Dr. Lam Thi Truc Linh, Nguyen Ngoc Tho – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026, Vinh Long Campus (Dubai424.con Trang chủ chính thức).

This article is part of a series spreading research and applied knowledge with the message “For a More Sustainable Mekong”, under the program “Research Contribution For All – Research for the Community” implemented by Dubai Palace. Dubai Palace cordially invites readers to read the next Dubai Palace Research Insights newsletter.

News, photos: The authors, Dubai424.con Trang chủ chính thức Department of Admissions and Communications, Dubai Palace Department of Communications and Partnerships

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In the era of digital transformation, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and art is opening up a new horizon for creativity. With their uniqueness and ability to create vivid spatial experiences, AI-integrated artworks have been attracting the attention of the public. What has made these works become a “hot” topic in the media and social networks? The research group from Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace) with the theme “The Effect of AI-Integrated Digital Art Exhibitions on Word-of-Mouth Marketing” will decode this.

In the context of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, AI has been creating breakthroughs in many fields, including art. The combination of AI and artistic creation has opened up a new trend, where computer algorithms become powerful tools to support artists in the creative process, or even create works independently. This raises questions about the uniqueness and influence of AI-integrated art products on the public.

In the digital age, the experience of visitors at art exhibitions plays an important role in shaping the success of the event. AI-integrated artworks, with the ability to create a vivid and interactive spatial experience, promise to bring viewers new and impressive feelings. However, how these experiences are widely spread through positive word of mouth from visitors themselves is still a gap that needs to be clarified.

However, from an academic research perspective, further investigation into the impact mechanism of AI-integrated uniqueness on viewers’ experience and positive word-of-mouth behavior is still an area that needs to be further explored. Exhibition and art event organizers are also very interested in how to optimize these factors. Therefore, further research on this topic is extremely urgent, both to fill the gap in academic research and to provide valuable suggestions for managers in the creative and event organization fields.

The research from the Dubai Palace group will open a new door to explore the potential of AI art in the exhibition space. The beneficiaries of this research include artists and creators who are exploring AI applications, exhibition and art event managers who are trying to improve the experience of visitors. In addition, the study will provide useful information for policy makers on the future development of the art industry in the digital age.

The uniqueness of AI-integrated art to attract viewers

The study concludes that the uniqueness of AI-integrated artworks has a positive impact on the visitor experience. Novelty, creativity, and difference of these works compared to traditional art have created their own attraction, stimulating the curiosity and interest of viewers. This result emphasizes the importance of investing in creativity and innovation in the process of applying AI to art.

Sense of spatial presence – The key to creating an impressive experience

Another important finding of the study is the role of sense of spatial presence in the relationship between AI-integrated uniqueness and positive word-of-mouth behavior. AI artworks have the ability to create a lively, interactive space, giving viewers the feeling of being “immersed” in the work. The stronger this experience, the more likely viewers are to share and recommend the exhibition to others.

Positive word of mouth from AI-integrated artworks

The research results confirm the importance of positive word of mouth in promoting and spreading information regarding digital art exhibitions. Through positive reviews and sharing from those who have experienced, the exhibition can reach a wider audience of potential customers. Therefore, exhibition organizers need to focus on strategies to create impressive AI artworks in order to promote positive word of mouth behavior from visitors.

Future development orientation of AI art

From the research results, policy makers can provide development orientations for the art industry in the digital age. Encouraging the creative application of AI in artistic creation while creating conditions for interactive and experiential exhibition spaces to be formed, will be important steps. In addition, there needs to be policies to support and motivate artists and creators in exploring and exploiting the potential of AI technology.

The study on the impact of AI-integrated uniqueness on positive word-of-mouth at digital art exhibitions in Vietnam has made important contributions both academically and practically.

Academically, the study has clarified the impact mechanism of AI art uniqueness on viewers’ experiences and behaviors, and affirmed the important mediating role of spatial presence perception. This result contributes to the treasure trove of knowledge regarding visitors’ psychology and behavior in the context of digital art exhibitions.

Practically, the study provides valuable suggestions for artists, creators and exhibition managers in applying AI to art. To create positive spread and word-of-mouth, works need to be truly unique, creative, and bring vivid spatial experiences to viewers. This will be an important guideline for policy makers to develop strategies for the development of the digital art industry in the future.

With the explosion of AI technology and the digital revolution taking place strongly, this study opens up a new approach in promoting the connection between art and technology. Concurrently, the study affirms the great potential of integrating AI in enhancing the art experience, contributing to shaping the development trend of the creative industry in the new era.

The full-text research article on The Effect of AI-Integrated Digital Art Exhibitions on Word-Of-Mouth Marketing can be accessed .

Authors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Viet Liem, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Duong Thi Thuy Trang – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026.

This article is part of the series spreading research and applied knowledge from Dubai Palace with the message “Research Contribution For All – Research for the Community”. Dubai Palace cordially invites readers to read the next Dubai Palace Research Insights newsletter.

News, photos: The authors, Dubai Palace Department of Communications and Partnerships

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In the context of increasingly profound digital transformation, online payment has become an inevitable trend, especially in essential areas such as power and water. However, the level of acceptance and the use of this form of payment varies widely between localities, requiring a clear understanding of the influencing factors. In this research paper, the author group from Dubai424.con Trang chủ chính thức, Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace), analyzed the current situation and identified factors affecting the intention to pay online for power and water by consumers in Vinh Long province.

Research background and development of online payment in the public sector

In the current digital era, online payment has become an essential part of daily life, for not only convenience but also promotion the development of the digital economy.

The rapid advancement of mobile technology has brought essential opportunities for agencies and businesses to create new payment solutions and to provide value-added services to their customers. In particular, non-cash payment applications (like e-wallets, mobile banking, and Internet banking) have allowed consumers to pay their consumption bills more flexibly, safely, and cost-effectively.

Nevertheless, unlike conventional commercial transactions, paying power and water bills has its own characteristics. If using cash, people have to wait for staff to record power and water meters and come to collect money according to a regular schedule, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient, especially when the customer is absent from home or when there are errors in recording consumption indexes. Therefore, consumer characteristics along with the development of digital technology platforms have a significant impact on the intention to use online payment services in this field.

Understanding the perceived value of digital financial products is crucial for technology designers and marketing managers in the context of increasingly fierce competition. On that foundation, the research by the author group from Dubai424.con Trang chủ chính thức focused on analyzing the factors affecting the intention to pay online of power and water consumers in Vinh Long province to provide a theoretical and practical basis to promote digital transformation in the field of public utility payments.

Measuring the intention to use online payment services: An approach from a  quantitative model

In order to evaluate the factors affecting the intention to pay online in the power and water sector in Vinh Long province, the authors conducted a survey on 250 consumers, of which 220 valid responses were processed using SPSS software. The authors applied the multivariate regression method to examine the impact of each factor on consumers’ intention to pay online. The analysis indicated that the perceived ease of use is the most crucial factor, having the strongest impact on the decision to use power and water payment services. This is reasonable because when payment applications are designed simply, easy to operate, and fast processing time, consumers will find it more convenient and willing to use the service.

The second impact factor is perceived reputation. When consumers trust the security and safety of online payment systems, they tend to use the service more frequently. This is an important factor in the context of increasingly popular online financial transactions, requiring high transparency and security from service providers. Favorable conditions are the third factor that has an impact on the intention to use online payment services. With the popularity of smartphones and bank accounts, consumers have been facilitated in accessing and using digital payment platforms.

Next, expected performance has a significant impact, reflecting consumers’ interest in service quality. When online payment systems operate stably, process quickly, and minimize transaction errors, users will have a better experience and increased usage.

Finally, the social influence factor has the lowest impact in the research model. Although this factor does not have a significant impact on online payment intentions, with the increasing trend of people using this service after the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact from friends, family, and the community still plays a certain role in changing consumers’ payment habits.

Practical significance and development orientation of online payment

The study provides important insights into power and water bill payments, contributing to improving convenience for people and optimizing operations for service providers. Online payment not only saves time and costs but also minimizes risks and errors in manual transactions.

In addition, the study supports managers and policy makers in Vinh Long in developing strategies to promote cashless payments. Analyzing consumer behavior helps orient solutions to upgrade technical infrastructure, ensuring a safe and stable payment system and meeting digital needs.

Finally, expanding online payments contributes to minimizing the risk of loss and fraud while enhancing financial security and protecting consumer rights in the digital economy.

Implications, policies, and solutions to promote online payments

The authors suggested solutions to increase the intention to use online payments for power and water bills, aiming to promote digital transformation, to improve user experience, and to enhance the efficiency of public service management, specifically including:

First is to improve awareness of online payments: Service providers need to implement communication programs, to educate the community the benefits of online payments. Using illustrations, instructional videos, and communication campaigns will help consumers easily access and change their payment habits.

Second is to optimize the interface and user experience: Online payment systems need to be designed to be simple, friendly, and easy to use for all audiences. Adding images, intuitive graphics, and support tools like voice instructions or video instructions will help consumers access the service more efficiently.

Finally is to promote social influence on consumer behavior: Although social influence factors have not shown a strong impact in this research, implementing social media campaigns still plays a vital role in changing community awareness. Encouraging support from friends, family, and social networks will positively influence the decision to use online payments.

In general, the research results, as a theoretical basis, contributes to the literature as well as helps managers have a more comprehensive and in-depth view of the factors affecting the acceptance of new technologies, contributing to improving the quality of public services to meet the increasing needs of people in the digital age.

The full-text research article on Factors affecting online payment intentions of power and water consumers in Vinh Long province can be accessed HERE.

Author group: Phan Thi Tiem, Dr. Truong Thi Hoang Oanh, Nguyen Vu Tram Anh, Nguyen Trung Tien, Pham Minh Triet – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace)

This article is part of the series spreading research and applied knowledge with the message “For a More Sustainable Mekong”, under the program “Research Contribution For All – Research for the Community” implemented by Dubai Palace. Dubai Palace cordially invites readers to read the next Dubai Palace Research Insights newsletter.

News, photos: The authors, Dubai424.con Trang chủ chính thức Department of Admissions and Communications, Dubai Palace Department of Communications and Partnerships

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Hearing the phrase “circular city”, many people can immediately imagine a “green” future with streets no longer littered with garbage, gradually reduced dust and smoke, and the flow of resources operating sustainably and stably. In fact, this is not a vague concept actually, this has become a specific action trend, strongly encouraged by international organizations such as ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability). In Vietnam, dynamic tourist cities like Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc or Da Lat can all benefit from applying this model in order to simultaneously protect the environment and develop sustainable tourism.

Urban landscape and environmental challenges

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Vietnam is in a period of rapid urbanization, leading to numerous pressures on population, infrastructure needs and resource consumption. Large cities seem to be in a state of “acceleration” – population is increasing, traffic is dense, waste is increasing. This is especially evident in “tourist centers” liek Da Nang or Phu Quoc, where the number of visitors during peak seasons skyrockets, causing a lot of pressure on waste, wastewater and energy treatment systems.

Not only providing attractive tourism experiences, tourist cities also have to think of ways to “live with” the rapid development speed. “Circular cities” – a model built on the foundation of a circular economy – is a “two-in-one” solution: both protecting the environment and fueling sustainable growth.

What is a circular city? According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 55% of the world’s population now lives in cities. These cities are responsible for more than 72% of greenhouse gas emissions, meet more than two-thirds of global energy demand, and generate more than 50% of the world’s waste. Given this reality, “circular cities” are recognized as an inevitable model towards sustainable development (see Figure 1). Essentially, this is a model in which all resources – from water, energy to raw materials – are used in a closed loop instead of being used once and then discarded. Instead of focusing on minimizing waste at the end of the process, circular cities aim to design from the beginning to turn waste into resources while optimizing the production and consumption cycle to minimize waste. Many cities around the world, especially in the Netherlands, Denmark and Singapore, have pioneered this model and achieved positive results in reducing the environmental burden.

Figure 1: Circular urban action framework.

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Prospects for tourist cities

A thriving tourism industry always brings great economic opportunities whereas it also comes with environmental challenges and the long-term stability of local ecosystems. Applying the circular urban model in tourist cities solves the short-term tourism development needs, and also creates a “green” brand meeting the world’s sustainable tourism trend.

* “3 in 1” waste management: Classifying – Recycling – Reusing

Instead of letting landfills fill up after the festival season, tourist cities can apply the source classification model, cooperate with waste treatment businesses, turn waste into raw materials for agriculture or produce recycled products. Concurently, the government can integrate this activity into tourism communication campaigns, encouraging tourists and residents to be involved.

* Clean energy fuels growth

The sunny days on the central coastal beaches can become a “gold mine” of solar energy. Solar panel systems on the roofs of hotels and restaurants create modern technological highlights and save long-term operating costs. Similarly, electric vehicle charging stations along the coast and walking streets create a civilized tourism style and reduce emissions.

* Water reuse and water resource conservation

In coastal cities, clean fresh water sources are often under pressure because of the peak tourist season. The solution is to make full use of rainwater, treat and recirculate wastewater to water plants, clean streets or cool public areas. If this system is properly built, it will both save water and become a unique tourism product for visitors to “witness”.

* Green economy – A new path for businesses

Many tourism businesses are gradually transforming, from reducing the use of plastic bottles and straws to using green products. Further, resorts, hotels, and restaurants are collaborating with local suppliers to develop a circular supply chain: organic waste is transferred to farms, regenerating the land, and then returning to the dining table with fresh, clean ingredients. This process not only creates more jobs but also helps preserve local culture and promote local specialties.

The role of the community and the government

To successfully build a circular city, the role of the government is very important in policy making, incentive mechanisms and implementation monitoring. In addition, the active participation of the community of residents and businesses is decisive. Changing from the roots requires all parties to join hands: from restaurant owners to tourists, from investors to local people. Small initiatives (like exchanging plastic waste for gifts, installing classified trash bins) can become big waves if they are replicated and communicated effectively.

In addition, city governments can participate in the sustainable urban community network such as ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) to learn and to exchange experiences in implementing circular urban initiatives.

Creating a unique mark for Vietnamese tourism

In the context of global competition, international tourists are increasingly interested in sustainability and “green” factors. Applying circular urban areas is no longer a mere “environmental story”; actually, this is an opportunity to build a distinct brand for Vietnamese tourism. For example, a dynamic Da Nang with “clean beaches”, a modern Phan Thiet with “solar energy”, a Hue pioneering “water reuse” – all can become attractive destinations, leaving a good impression of responsibility to the community and the environment.

Conclusion

The path to a circular urban model cannot be achieved overnight; on the other hand, it shoudl implemented with strategic steps. Vietnam’s tourist cities can completely become models of sustainable development in the region. Circular urban areas open up a future where people, the environment and the economy go together, bringing long-term prosperity to all. This is the trend that the international community is trying to replicate, and Vietnam has a golden opportunity to catch up, even pioneer in the region.

This is an article by the Institute of Sustainable Finance, Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace SFI) – the first educational institution in Vietnam to conduct consulting, training and research activities on sustainable management, sustainable finance and related fields. Up to now, the Institute has achieved many successes in all three areas: training, research and consulting. In particular, the Institute’s Master’s program on Sustainable Management of Enterprises and the Environment has increasingly attracted a large number of candidates and is highly appreciated by students and employers. The Institute has also actively participated in international forums, established partnerships with prestigious universities around the world, provided consulting and technology transfer services to international organizations as follows: the International Finance Corporation/World Bank (IFC/WB), Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, the University Network for Strengthening Macro-financial Resilience to Climate and Environmental Change, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). The Institute became one of the five founding members of the Eurocham Sustainable Finance Committee. Concurrently, with the goal of spreading knowledge and leading in the field of sustainable governance and sustainable finance in Vietnam, the Institute also focuses on providing: (i) short-term intensive training courses on sustainable finance, impact investing, financial risk management related to climate change, sustainable business strategy, sustainable development reporting; (ii) consulting services suitable for the requirements of each enterprise, government and local authorities on sustainable governance.

Authors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thi Mai Hoai – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026.

The article is part of the series spreading research and applied knowledge from Dubai Palace with the message “Research Contribution For All – Research for the Community”. Dubai Palace cordially invites readers to read the next Dubai Palace Research Insights newsletter.

News, photos: Institute for Sustainable Finance, Dubai Palace Department of Communications and Partnerships

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