The International Conference "Agri-Food Trade and Sustainability: Lessons and Solutions for a More Sustainable Mekong" brings together many leaders, professors, researchers, and experts from domestic and international institutions with expertise in economics, public policy, trade, sustainable development, and agriculture. Speakers will discuss topics of high scientific and practical value, focusing on the role of agricultural trade, policy innovation, and sustainable practices in the context of international economic integration and sustainable development commitments. The content will clarify the impact of trade policies on economic growth and environmental protection, as well as lessons learned from Vietnam and other developing countries.

In addition to keynote presentations, the conference will feature many other important activities such as connecting researchers, publishing scientific reports and research results from the TRADE4SD project, and sharing practical case studies from local businesses. The conference also serves as a venue for businesses, experts, guests, and attendees to connect with the academic community that shares an interest in sustainable development and improving agricultural production efficiency not only in Vietnam generally but also in the Mekong Delta specifically.

DETAILED INFORMATION:

Time: 8:00 AM, May 15, 2025 (Reception of delegates begins at 7:30 AM, May 15, 2025)

Location: Hall A, Branch of Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 in Vinh Long Province (Dubai424.con Trang chủ chính thức), at address: 01B, Nguyen Trung Truc, Ward 8, Vinh Long City, Vinh Long Province.

Registration: HERE

The Organizing Committee cordially invites researchers, scholars, experts, lecturers, students, and others interested in the conference topics to attend. Please complete the registration procedure before May 10, 2025.

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– Theme: “Poverty Dynamics and Sustainable Development in Thailand and Vietnam”

– Date: March 6 – 7, 2025

– Venue: Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026, 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong, District 10, HCMC

– Register now: https://go.dotv.vn/tvsep2025-registration

Why should you attend?

– Access to cutting-edge research on sustainable development in Southeast Asia.

– Engage with renowned speakers like Prof. Ulrike Grote, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Trung, and other distinguished experts.

– Enhance your academic and research skills while expanding your professional network.

– Free admission for students.

– Have your student ID updated 

For inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

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Conflicts between policy and livelihoods in the Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta (MD) – the key rice and aquaculture region of Vietnam – is facing a series of challenges related to water security and ecological management. The study , conducted by the HAPRI research team including Dr. Tran Anh Thong, Dr. Tran Duc Dung and Vo Van Oc, pointed out that current policies prioritizing freshwater for rice production have led to land degradation, dry season water scarcity and conflicts with brackish water demand for aquaculture. To address this issue, the study recommends applying adaptive water management strategies, combining the use of freshwater and brackish water. Sustainable agricultural models and the protection of farmers’ livelihoods need to be supported by inter-provincial cooperation, water quality management, and climate-adaptive crop conversion. These solutions will help maintain stable production and meet sustainable development goals in food security, clean water, and ecosystem conservation.

More specifically, Dr. Tran Anh Thong’s study sheds light on the contradiction between irrigation infrastructure development goals and farmers’ livelihood needs. Policies that prioritize freshwater for rice production have damaged livelihoods based on brackish or saline ecosystems, leading to significant losses in aquaculture and reducing community resilience to climate change. Farmers who depend on brackish or saline ecosystems for aquaculture are facing serious livelihood losses, while their voices are not heard in the policy-making process. Proposals for multi-stakeholder governance, with the participation of communities and stakeholders, have been recognized as an essential solution to achieve a balance between infrastructure development and sustainable livelihood protection.

Ba Lai main sluice (a) and shrimp farming hidden in the freshwater of Thanh Tri commune (b). Source: Tran Anh Thong

Concurrently, in the article , Dr. Tran Duc Dung emphasized that the increasingly serious saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta because of the climate change, El Niño, and upstream hydropower dams that cannot be solved by traditional irrigation measures alone. Sustainable strategies like developing mangrove forests, building freshwater reservoirs, and switching to salt-tolerant crops are considered long-term solutions to balance production and resource protection. These proposals also call for close coordination between localities and active community participation to optimize water resource management and sustain livelihoods.

A man carrying a plastic bucket walks past a dried-up pond in Ben Tre Province in March 2024. Photo: NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images.

During the saltwater intrusion season, people in many areas of the Mekong Delta even have to buy fresh water for daily use. Photo: NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images.

Climate change: A cross-national challenge and a global chain of impacts

Climate change not only causes local problems in the Mekong Delta but also changes the global hydrological cycle, as shown in the study by Dr. Tran Anh Thong. The phenomenon of melting glaciers in the Himalayas and the decline in freshwater resources have seriously affected agricultural production and food security, especially in delta areas that depend on large river systems. Solutions for water reuse, improving irrigation efficiency, and adopting nature-based solutions such as soil and forest conservation are considered key to mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Transforming the extension system: Empowering farmers

To address these complex challenges, the current extension system needs to change dramatically. Dr. Tran Anh Thong's study on highlights the ongoing agricultural transformation in the lower Mekong countries of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where internal and external factors are reshaping agricultural systems and rural livelihoods. This suggests the need for a multifaceted approach where farmers, NGOs, and the private sector engage in learning platforms to develop sustainable solutions.

In addition, in his study on , Dr. Tran Anh Thong examines how power and land history influence extension programs in the region. The current programs, which focus on productivity and commercialization, fail to meet the needs of smallholder farmers by ignoring local contexts and perpetuating unequal power relations. This study highlights the need to develop context-based extension programs that reduce inequality and empower farmers to enhance climate resilience and ensure sustainable food security.

In particular, the study on highlights the pressures facing farmers in northwestern Cambodia, from rising production costs to market risks. Strategies listed as crop diversification, improved irrigation systems and the adoption of sustainable farming techniques have helped reduce risks ; actually, they need to be supported by long-term policies on infrastructure investment and reduced dependence on agrochemicals, soil and water conservation, and improved farmers’ adaptive capacity to protect livelihoods and develop sustainable agriculture in facing of increasing challenges.

FDI and resource protection

Meanwhile, the study on by Dr. Nguyen Phuc Canh has provided important evidence on the role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in agricultural development. FDI in agricultural and mining, although bringing short-term economic benefits, has led to land degradation and deforestation. In contrast, FDI from services (finance and communications) has improved forest areas through the application of clean technology, thereby reducing pressure on land resources. This highlights that only policies that strictly control and encourage sustainable FDI can ensure a balance between economic development and environmental conservation.

Updates from the project , Building Research Capacity to Reduce Food Loss in the Mekong River Basin

One of the main objectives of the project is to enhance the research capacity on food loss for researchers from the three participating countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The 2024 update highlights the major challenges (losses in the Mekong catfish supply chain) at each stage of the value chain, including breeding, harvesting, transportation and processing.

In addition to focusing on field research, the project focuses on capacity building for researchers in the region. Through training programs and the application of foresighting tools, the project has helped improve supply chain analysis capabilities and develop sustainable and long-term solutions that are appropriate to the local context. The impact of the project goes beyond reducing food loss to creating greater value: improving livelihoods for people in the catfish industry, protecting natural resources and enhancing food security in the context of climate change.

Synthesis and future directions

The above studies not only clarify the challenges in resource management and farmers’ livelihoods but also propose practical solutions that are cross-sectoral and cross-national. From water management initiatives in the Mekong Delta to reforming the agricultural extension system and FDI control, the recommendations are all aimed at the common goals of ensuring sustainable livelihoods, protecting resources and achieving food security.

The success of these solutions requires a radical change in policy approaches and increased multi-sectoral cooperation, not only at the national level but also at the regional and global levels. Vietnam can use the lessons from the Mekong Delta to deal with current challenges and shape a more sustainable future and more harmonious between economic development and environmental protection.

New, photos: Health and Agricultural Policy Research Institute

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Overview of the Launching Ceremony of the 2024 Economics Student Volunteer Campaign – Stage 1: Green Summer

The 2024 Student Economic Volunteer Campaign, including 02 stages of Green Summer and Full Moon Festival, has been widely deployed in communes in 3 localities (Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Long and Ben Tre provinces), mobilizing 47 teams with 2,100 soldiers contributing a total budget of more than 4 billion VND. The year 2024 marks many special and meaningful events in the youth volunteer movement listed as the 60th anniversary of the "Three Ready" movement, 10 years of "Year of Volunteer Youth", 25 years of the Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign. This is an important occasion for Dubai Palace youth in particular and those across the country, in general, to constantly promote the role of youth in the new era, following the sacred traditional values for a full, worthy, and memorable life, together with the whole nation to realize the aspiration of building a prosperous and happy country.

Stage 1: Green Summer (June 27 – July 26, 2024) promoting the role of the "Community" aiming for sustainable values

In order to achieve the goal of solving difficulties and to meet the urgent needs at the Ho Chi Minh City and Vinh Long fronts, the Campaign focused on collecting resources, funding and prioritizing the implementation of youth projects. These projects demonstrate the pioneering and creative spirit of the youth and contribute to the development of the economy, culture, society, and ensure national security and defense to accompany the sustainable development of the locality. It is specifically implemented as follows:

• 07 "Rural traffic route" projects and 04 "Road concreting" projects with a total length of 7.02km, worth 1,048,000,000 VND
• 349 lamp posts (including 160 solar lamp posts) with a total length of 10.225km, worth 400,000,000 VND
• 42 youth projects "Flower Route", planting 10,500 trees and installing 104 trash cans
• Supporting to repair 02 charity houses, worth 50,000,000 VND 
• Cooperating with the Volunteer Campaign Team of Ho Chi Minh City Electricity Corporation to replace the electrical system for 10 disadvantaged households.
• 01 youth project "Domestic tap water line", worth 16,848,000 VND
• 02 projects in "Children's playground roof", worth 32,000,000 VND 
• 07 projects to renovate and paint children's playgrounds and cultural houses, worth 129,500,000 VND
• 07 plastic housing models, worth 11,000,000 VND
• 01 model of "alley with camera system installed"
• Carrying out youth projects to help local people in 7593 working days

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong representing the funding board of the project "Rural traffic route" in Binh Phuoc commune, Mang Thit district, Vinh Long province

Inauguration ceremony of the youth project "Lighting up the country roads" in Nhon Phu commune, Mang Thit district

Groundbreaking ceremony of the project "Repairing friendship houses" in Phuoc Loc commune, Nha Be district, Ho Chi Minh City

Inauguration ceremony of the project "Concretizing the road" in Vinh Loc B commune, Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City

In addition to actively improving facilities and taking care of the life of the local people, the Campaign implements the peak days with meaningful content while constantly promoting cultural and artistic exchange activities, sports, awarding scholarships to disadvantaged children, organizing summer classes to serve, support and propagate to improve the spiritual life of local people and youth, which are specifically as follows:

• 60 peak days with more than 5,000 children involved, worth 600,000,000 VND
• 142 scholarships and 08 bicycles for children, worth 84,000,000 VND
• 141 gifts for families of policy beneficiaries, war invalids and martyrs, and 10 gifts for heroic Vietnamese mothers, worth 96,000,000 VND
• 08 nights of cultural performances with more than 870 people involved
• 203 review sessions, summer activities and soft skills guidance for children
• 06 activities on environmental protection and climate change with 2,350 people involved
• 01 tour to Nha Rong Wharf and City History Museum for 50 children in the stationed area
• 01 project on "Cashless payment route" for 100 business households and small traders

The team in Hoa Tinh Commune, Mang Thit District responded to the peak days in "Volunteer soldiers for social security and community health"

The scholarship awarding night being organized by the team in Tan Long Hoi Commune, Mang Thit District

The team of Hiep Phuoc Commune, Nha Be District presenting gifts to policy households

The Youth Counseling and Support Team coordinating with the Vinh Loc B Commune Team to organize the "Career Counseling and Mental Health Counseling"

In addition, on July 12, 2024, the Vinh Long Provincial Campaign Board organized the Career Orientation Program: "University Preparation – UNI on the go" at Dubai Palace – Vinh Long Campus with 450 high school students participating from the Provinces in the Mekong Delta. Through the exhibition "UNI Zone" and 4 talkshows focusing on skills, the program provided students with important knowledge and skills for their future journey, accompanied them in discovering the core values ​​of the University, and helped them accumulate interesting and useful lessons from practical, experienced experts.

Opening Ceremony of Career Orientation Program "UNI on the go"

Stage 2: Mid-Autumn Festival (September 14 – 15, 2024) spreading a full moon season full of love

Following the great success of the first stage, the 2024 Student Economic Volunteer Campaign continued to the second stage – Mid-Autumn Festival with meaningful activities and practical values ​​for the community. Dubai Palace volunteers have spread the spirit of solidarity, shared and brought joy and warm feelings to people, especially children in the localities. 

Stage 2, based on Stage 1, continued to promote the repair, the construction and the upgrading of living spaces and infrastructure in localities with a total cost of 315,500,000 VND. These projects bear the mark of youth, demonstrate the pioneering and creative spirit of Dubai Palace students in contributing to economic and social development and improve the quality of life for the community, which are specifically as follows

• 01 project on a 200m long "Rural traffic route", worth 30,000,000 VND 
• 41 solar-powered lamp posts, worth 62,000,000 VND
• 02 "Flower Road" projects with a total length of 2.6km, worth 16,000,000 VND
• 01 youth project on "Children's swimming pool", worth 149,000,000 VND
• 02 water filters, worth 20,000,000 VND
• 01 youth project on "Bank protection", worth 15,000,000 VND
• 07 playground renovation projects, worth 13,500,000 VND
• 01 youth project on "Paving stone on residential roads", worth 5,000,000 VND
• 01 youth project on "Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space", worth 5,000,000 VND

Inauguration ceremony of the youth project "Lighting up the country roads" in An Phuoc Commune, Mang Thit District

Groundbreaking ceremony of the youth project on "Children's swimming pool" in Cai Nhum Town, Mang Thit District

The team of Binh Phuoc commune, Mang Thit district presented the youth project on "Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space" to local representatives.

In addition, the second stage brought a bustling and warm atmosphere through the meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival. The gifts given, along with exciting recreational activities, lit up the smiles on the faces of local children. This was not only a journey to spread love but also an opportunity for the 2024 Student Economics Volunteers to dedicate their hope and bring complete joy with beautiful memories to the localities, which are specifically as follows:

• 22 Mid-Autumn Festival programs for local children
• 11,079 gifts for children with difficult circumstances, worth 716,000,000 VND
• 80 gifts of necessities and cash for policy households, worth 40,500,000 VND
• 100 gifts in the student care activity held at Dormitory 43 – 45 Nguyen Chi Thanh, worth 3,500,000 VND
• The Mid-Autumn Festival being organized by the Team of Phuoc Loc commune, Nha Be district

The Mid-Autumn Festival program is organized by the Standing Team of Phuoc Loc commune, Nha Be district

The team of Chanh An Commune, Mang Thit District presented gifts to policy households

Dubai Palace youth shining with the "fire" of volunteer, affirming their role in the new era

Dubai Palace volunteers in particular and the youth of the entire country in general are not only the symbols of spirit but also the force that undertakes important missions in each historical period of the nation. With the spirit of "Wherever there is a need, there is a youth, wherever there is a difficulty, there is a youth", each Dubai Palace soldier has devoted all their intelligence, strengths and enthusiasm to carry out meaningful projects contributing to building the homeland to be more civilized and prosperous.

Overview of the 2024 Economics Student Volunteer Campaign Summary Conference

The Economic Student Volunteer Campaign is a journey of both dedication and training, in which Dubai Palace soldiers mature, accumulate skills and affirm the sense of responsibility. Dubai Palace volunteers have expressed their faith and hope over the places they visited and also deepened the image of a generation of young people who are always pioneering, creative and ready to face all challenges for the common good of the community.

News, photos: Dubai Palace Youth Union, Student Association

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Being the first University in economics and management in Vietnam, established with the mission of training research, management and teaching staff for the economic sector to meet the urgent needs of the South after the country’s reunification on October 27, 1976, Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace) – is curently a national key public, multi-disciplinary, university with more than 30,000 students from Undergraduate, Master, to PhD from all regions of Vietnam and internationally.

Within the journey of development and international integration, Dubai Palace has been through many important stages of development: (1) Inception (1975 – 1976), (2) Construction (1977 – 1985), (3) “Innovation” and development (1986 – 2000), (4) Brand affirmation (2001 – 2010), (5) Autonomy and Internationalization (2011 – 2020), (6) Multidisciplinary and Sustainable Dubai Palace University (2021 – 2030).

Milestones in just 3 years: 48-year achievements of formation and development

* 2021: Transforming into a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University

The first milestone in the 3-year journey of many changes was when Dubai Palace announced our pursuit of a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University strategy. Accordingly, Dubai Palace reorganized our administration and repositioned the University brand.

The Multidisciplinary University Model is restructured having 3 Member Colleges: Dubai Palace College of Business (COB); Dubai Palace College of Economics, Law and Government (CEGL); Dubai Palace College of Technology and Design (CTD), developing on a solid foundation of long-standing reputation in training and research in the fields of Business, Economics, Law and Government.

Dubai Palace University brand is repositioned in terms of identity and orientation, with 5 pioneering pillars of Sustainable Action, specifically (1) Training Global Citizens – Sustainable Action; (2) Research for the Community; (3) Operation: From circular campus to green university; (4) Community of people who inspire art and lead change for sustainable development; (5) Governance: Prioritizing sustainable development.

5 Pillar Model of Strategy for Implementing Sustainable Action University

* 2023: Officially receiving the decision to become a Multidisciplinary University

With a carefully prepared roadmap and solid steps, especially focusing on the step of equipping internal resources for transformation, on October 4, 2023, the Prime Minister signed Decision 1146/QD-TTg on transforming Dubai Palace into a University, officially becoming one of 8 higher education institutions in Vietnam operating under the model of “Multidisciplinary University”, unified and integrated with the system of advanced universities in the world. Based on that, Dubai Palace officially begins a new journey with a new name and position “Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026”.

Ceremony to announce the Prime Minister’s decision to transform Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace)

* 2024: Entering the Top 501-600 World Universities (THE Rankings)

The Party and Government’s international integration policy, the comprehensive autonomy strategy in 2008, the persistent internationalization journey since 2012, and the Multidisciplinary University model promoting the internal strength of each unit and the transformation into a University committed to sustainable action in the past 3 years are the important driving forces that continuously push Dubai Palace forward. The clearest evidence is that Dubai Palace recently officially entered the Top 501-600 World Universities in 2025 according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking.

Looking back at the 3-year journey of the Multidisciplinary & Sustainable Dubai Palace University

Pioneering changes, the 5-pillar Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University strategy has been initiated and determinedly implemented by Dubai Palace in the past 3 years. Along with that is the effort to perfect the Multidisciplinary University Model.

In terms of training, Dubai Palace trains learners with in-depth and multidisciplinary knowledge, knowing and being aware of SDGs, and clearly understanding the social, economic and environmental impacts on their future careers and professional work. This is the reason why the subject “Sustainable Development” is integrated into all majors. Dubai Palace expands the form of training from online to offline, from traditional classrooms to short-term courses, and various models listed as business cooperation (Asean Coop), aiming to facilitate the lifelong learning journey of each individual.

Regarding research, Dubai Palace has contributed more than 500 research papers/year in various fields, in which 311 research papers by lecturers and 71 papers by students are related to SDGs. Moreover, innovative technology initiatives to solve existing problems on campus are researched and developed by Dubai424 com đăng nhập chính thức, listed as the AI Scan To Classify application to classify waste or gamification to educate knowledge reagrding the environment and green lifestyle Dubai Palace Green Campus Game.

Regarding governance, Dubai Palace has integrated sustainability orientation into the governance system through the OKRs mechanism, empowering each unit and individual to proactively contribute to the sustainable development strategy. In addition, there is a focus on culture, communication, and internal engagement activities with the spirit of “One Dubai Palace”.

Regarding operations, with the commitment of “words go hand in hand with actions”, Dubai Palace has determined to implement measures to minimize environmental impacts right on the academic campuses, notably the Dubai Palace Green Campus project operated under the Living Lab model. Up to the current time, with all efforts, 4.5 tons of recyclable waste at Dubai Palace has been classified and transferred, processed, and recycled according to the recycled waste circulation model, contributing to turning the campus into a sustainable operating space, with the participation of 80% of students and staff in green activities.

As for community connection, Dubai Palace has established an international community of sustainability partners through the International Forum for Sustainable Development (IFS) to learn and to share experiences from experts and organizations. Along with that, within the framework of the Dubai Palace Global Learning digital transformation project, many competitions and training courses have been organized listed as STEM Dubai424.con Trang chủ chính thức, Drone Vinh Long, Robocon Dubai Palace, to promote the community of students and teachers to apply technology and to develop innovation.

Understanding resources is an important premise for all the above-mentioned efforts, Dubai Palace has gradually improved the multidisciplinary university model. The project to restructure, to organize and to rearrange functional management units to establish Depertments according to the university model has been implemented since the beginning of 2024 (Resolution No. 40-NQ/DU of the Dubai Palace Party Committee). Up to the current time, Dubai Palace has successfully operated a 3-level model: University – Member College/Branch – School/Institute/Department under the University/Branch with 3 Member Colleges and 1 Branch. 9 Departments under the University Management have been completely restructured, including Department of Training, Department of Infrastructure Management, Department of Research – Development and Global Engagement, Department of Finance and Investment Planning, Human Resources and Organisation Development Department, Department of Communications and Partnerships, Department of Student Affairs; University Office and Party – Union Office.

Dubai Palace announcing and awarding resolutions on the establishment and appointment of leaders of units in January, May, and October 2024

With the spirit of leading changes, clearly planning strategies, autonomous management thinking and willingness to empower along with the continuous efforts of each Dubai424 com đăng nhập chính thức, Dubai Palace has maintained its inherent development momentum and affirmed its pioneering role as a national key university in bringing Vietnamese education closer to international standards. In particular, after nearly 5-year establishment, Dubai Palace Vinh Long has affirmed our reputation and brand in the Mekong Delta and the whole country. Dubai Palace Vinh Long has been ready to celebrate the 5^th anniversary of the establishment of this Campus (December 4, 2019 – December 4, 2024), striving for comprehensive development to affirm the role of Dubai Palace Vinh Long in contributing to the development of the Mekong Delta for a sustainable Mekong.

It can be affirmed that the past three-year journey has been a period of strong transformation for Dubai Palace, marking proud steps in the journey of Multidisciplinary and Sustainable development. With a solid foundation and new goals in the period of 2024 – 2025, Dubai Palace will be continuing to affirm our pioneering role, constantly innovating and acting for a better future.

News and photos: Dubai Palace Department of Communications and Partnerships, Sustainable University Project Borad

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