In an era where climate change is reshaping every aspect of development, universities are not only centers for knowledge dissemination but also hubs for creating solutions for the community. With a vision of becoming a green, smart, and sustainable university, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has pioneered the development and implementation of its Climate Action Plan – extending not only within the university but also through sharing, collaborating, and partnering with local authorities, community organizations, and international partners.

In line with its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 – Climate Action), UEH clearly recognizes that climate action can only be effective when it is shared, coordinated, and co-created among the university, government, businesses, and the community. Therefore, UEH goes beyond reducing emissions on campus, proactively expanding its actions to the urban and regional levels, integrating academic knowledge, policy research, and practical solutions into local development processes.

From international forums to provincial-level collaborations, from policy research to Living Lab models on campus, UEH has actualized its Climate Action Plan through concrete projects – each activity embodying the spirit of “practical action, broad connectivity, and the promotion of sustainable values.” The following are key initiatives demonstrating how UEH shares and coordinates its climate action plan with local authorities, research institutes, communities, and domestic and international partners.

No. Program/Activity Name Time Scale Content Achievements
1 UEH attended the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt  4–8 Nov 2024 International UEH attended the World Urban Forum 12 (United Nations – UN-Habitat) on climate-resilient urban development, sharing the experience of “UEH Green Campus – Living Lab for Sustainable Cities” with global urban authorities. Representing Vietnam at WUF12, UEH presented initiatives for sustainable urban development and the Green University model.

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Affirmed UEH’s role in connecting global knowledge, sharing experiences in climate action, and promoting sustainable urban development.
2 The Economy and Environment Partnership for Southeast Asia accompanying UEH on the journey of sowing green seeds

11 Jan 2025 Regional collaboration EEPSEA and UEH implemented research programs, training, and projects supporting climate action in the region.

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Promote international cooperation, enhance research capacity in environmental and green economics, and share results with local communities.
3 Academic and research efforts proposing policies to support local communities 2024–2025 University-wide & local UEH conducted multiple research projects focused on policies supporting communities, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.

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Produced research outputs to inform local policy-making; connected academic knowledge with social practice.
4 Green Technology: The Love of the New Generation to the Environment 16 Sep 2024 UEH community & local community Introduced and promoted the application of green technology in daily life, research, and university activities.

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Raised community awareness of green technology; encouraged students and faculty to take action for the environment.
5 UEH Sustainable Finance Institute: Imprints in 2024 and the Journey to Accompany the SDGs 2024 Academic – International The Institute conducted research, training, and collaboration in sustainable finance, supporting SDG 13.

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Built a green finance network, provided policy advisory, and shared knowledge with local communities.
6 Green Visit: Welcoming Delegations from Universities and the Management Board of VNU-HCM Dormitory Center to Explore the Living Lab Model and Learn About the UEH Green Campus Project  22 Apr 2025 Inter-university collaboration UEH hosted delegations from universities and the dormitory management of VNU-HCM to tour and learn about the Green University model.

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Expanded academic–local collaboration and promoted the climate action model within the university environment.
7 The series of Vung Tau Future Events in Vung Tau City in 2024  2024 Local – International A series of seminars, exhibitions, and workshops on carbon-neutral urban development and sustainability.

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Proposed the “Vung Tau 2040 – Net Zero City” roadmap, connecting academia, government, and businesses.
8 Towards carbon neutral and sustainable development: UEH – ISCM actively connecting with local authorities, domestic and international partners 2024 International & Local Collaboration The ISCM Institute connected with local authorities, businesses, and international partners to promote carbon-neutral urban development.

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Established an interdisciplinary collaboration network, fostered urban innovation, and enhanced UEH’s role in climate action.
9 The research project “Gender-sensitizing for Design and Operation of Water-Energy-Climate Change Infrastructures in Soc Trang Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam – GS4Infra” 2024 Regional (Vietnam – Thailand – Cambodia – Laos) UEH collaborated with Can Tho University and the Mekong NGOs network to conduct surveys, collect disaster data, and organize community capacity-building workshops in Soc Trang.

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Developed a local dataset on disaster-adaptive infrastructure; trained over 300 officials and community members in climate change response skills.
10 The second International Conference on Resilience by Technology and Design (RTD 2024) Jul 2024 International UEH organized the workshop at Vinh Long Campus with participation from universities, NGOs, and authorities in the Mekong Delta. The focus was on technology, design, and urban planning for climate disaster adaptation.

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15 scientific presentations were delivered; proposed solutions for urban disaster response and sustainable agriculture in the Mekong region.
11 Carbon Market Policy Discussion: Impact Forecast and Policy Orientation from Ho Chi Minh City Mar 2024 National UEH, in collaboration with the HCMC Department of Natural Resources & Environment and the Institute of Sustainable Finance, organized a dialogue to develop a roadmap for carbon policy adaptation and climate risk mitigation for businesses.

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Policy recommendation report submitted to the HCMC People’s Committee; proposed the “Carbon-Neutral City 2050” model.
12 Working Session between University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the Representative of French Development Agency (AFD) on UEH Sustainable Strategy and cooperation opportunities  Mar 2024 International Both parties discussed the “Sustainable UEH” strategy, collaborating on carbon neutrality, climate disaster risk management, energy transition, and green finance.

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Proposed the “UEH Carbon Neutral Campus 2035” project; established a working group to support local authorities on climate issues.

 

On its journey toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient future, UEH is not merely an observer but a driver of change. Each program and project is not just an isolated activity but a part of the bigger picture of a university that lives green, learns green, and acts green. As a pioneer in sustainable education in Vietnam, UEH continues to affirm its mission: turning knowledge into action, transforming action into positive social impact, and contributing to the collective goal of a green planet—where future generations can study, work, and thrive in harmony with nature.

 

Open related links:

1. Climate action | UEH Green Campus – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/sdgs/climate-action 

2. November 11, 2024 – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City attends the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/university-of-economics-ho-chi-minh-city-attends-the-12th-world-urban-forum-in-cairo-egypt-72938 

3. January 13, 2024 – The Economy and Environment Partnership for Southeast Asia accompanying University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City on the journey of sowing green seeds – http://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/the-economy-and-environment-partnership-for-southeast-asia-accompanying-university-of-economics-ho-chi-minh-city-on-the-journey-of-sowing-green-seeds-73297 

4. January 18, 2025 – Academic efforts, research, policy proposals to support local communities – 

https://future.ueh.edu.vn/en/year-en/2025-en/academic-efforts-research-and-policy-proposals-supporting-local-communities/  

5. September 16, 2024 – Green Technology: The Love of the New Generation to the Environment – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/breaking-news/green-technology-the-love-of-the-new-generation-to-the-environment 

6. January 12, 2025 – UEH Sustainable Finance Institute: Imprints in 2024 and the Journey to Accompany the SDGs – https://www.ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-sustainable-finance-institute-imprints-in-2024-and-the-journey-to-accompany-the-sdgs-73298 

7. April 26, 2024 – Green Visit: Welcoming Delegations from Universities and the Management Board of VNU-HCM Dormitory Center to Explore the Living Lab Model and Learn About the UEH Green Campus Project – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/events/green-visit-welcoming-delegations-from-universities-and-the-management-board-of-vnu-hcm-dormitory-center-to-explore-the-living-lab-model-and-learn-about-the-ueh-green-campus-project 

8. January 16, 2024 – Looking back at The series of Vung Tau Future Events in Vung Tau City in 2024 – https://www.ueh.edu.vn/en/news/looking-back-at-the-series-of-vung-tau-future-events-in-vung-tau-city-in-2024-71314 

9. January 16, 2024 – Towards carbon neutral and sustainable development: UEH – ISCM actively connecting with local authorities, domestic and international partners – https://www.ueh.edu.vn/en/news/towards-carbon-neutral-and-sustainable-development-ueh-iscm-actively-connecting-with-local-authorities-domestic-and-international-partners-73331 

10. October 03, 2024 – UEH introduces the research project “Gender-sensitizing for Design and Operation of Water-Energy-Climate Change Infrastructures in Soc Trang Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam – GS4Infra” – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-introduces-the-research-project-gender-sensitizing-for-design-and-operation-of-water-energy-climate-change-infrastructures-in-soc-trang-province-mekong-delta-vietnam-gs4infra-72586 

11. October 10, 2024 – INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RESILIENCE BY TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN: TOWARDS SOLUTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE – https://www.ueh.edu.vn/tuyen-sinh/international-conference-on-resilience-by-technology-and-design-towards-solutions-for-a-sustainable-future-75017 

12. February 29, 2024 – Carbon Market Policy Discussion: Impact Forecast and Policy Orientation from Ho Chi Minh City – 

https://www.ueh.edu.vn/khoa-hoc/toa-dam-chinh-sach-thi-truong-carbon-du-bao-tac-dong-va-dinh-huong-chinh-sach-tu-tp-hcm-71457

13. November 25, 2024 – Working Session between University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the Representative of French Development Agency (AFD) on UEH Sustainable Strategy and cooperation opportunities – https://www.ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/buoi-lam-viec-giua-dai-hoc-kinh-te-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-ueh-va-dai-dien-co-quan-phat-trien-phap-afd-ve-chien-luoc-ueh-ben-vung-va-co-hoi-hop-tac-72999