University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) focuses not only on training and academic research but also actively participates in the policy-making process at multiple levels – from local to national and international – aiming to contribute to poverty eradication in all its dimensions.

In 2024, UEH demonstrated a strong commitment to contributing to the development of poverty eradication policies and promoting social equality, from the local to the global level. Quantitatively, in 2024, UEH completed 11 ministerial-level or equivalent projects, and implemented 96 grassroots-level projects, of which 16 projects were directly related to research serving local communities on economics, law, climate change, and poverty eradication. Furthermore, UEH is currently participating in a total of 12 international projects, with 6 new projects approved in 2024; many of these projects focus on environmental and social issues such as poverty eradication. 

These research efforts have yielded significant policy contributions:

+ Local Level: UEH has directly proposed policy solutions to support local communities, particularly in the Mekong Delta region – an area with a high rate of poor households and high vulnerability to climate change. Grassroots-level studies have focused on providing valuable insights for policymakers on the impact of microfinance on the livelihoods of ethnic minority households in Vietnam, as well as analyzing factors influencing livelihood diversification for rural households in the Mekong Delta, to design effective interventions. UEH also conducted research on out-of-pocket healthcare costs for rural households in this region.

+ National Level: UEH organizes policy workshops and forums such as ICBF 2024 and the national scientific workshop on the Land Law and sustainable development to consult, exchange, and co-create solutions for anti-poverty policies, equitable, and sustainable development. These contributions affirm UEH’s role in disseminating academic knowledge to support sustainable development and address urgent community issues. The 2024 ministerial-level projects proposed crucial policy recommendations in the field of social protection systems aimed at reducing non-discrimination in access to healthcare services. The recommendations include developing grassroots healthcare, expanding health insurance coverage, and establishing healthcare funds for policy beneficiaries.

+ Global Level: UEH actively participates in international cooperation activities for sustainable development, is a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and nearly 50% of the University’s international publications relate to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the goal to End poverty (SDG 1). UEH also implements numerous international projects on poverty eradication through funding from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UEH is also an active member in many collaborative policy research projects (EfD Initiative, TVSEP, Horizon Europe, HAPRI, ANU), focusing on key topics related to sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers, coastal communities, and people’s adaptability to climate change. These projects not only generate academic research but also directly support governments and non-governmental organizations in formulating poverty reduction policies. 

Furthermore, UEH promotes an innovative startup ecosystem, supporting youth and disadvantaged groups in developing their economic resources, thereby indirectly contributing to the goal of multidimensional poverty reduction.

(Source:https://ueh.edu.vn/khoa-hoc/cac-no-luc-hoc-thuat-nghien-cuu-de-xuat-chinh-sach-ho-tro-cong-dong-dia-phuong-73289)

These pieces of evidence affirm UEH’s commitment to contributing to poverty reduction policies at multiple levels, for the sustainable development of society..

Some implemented results:

Program/Policy Participation level Partner/Relevant authorities Participation method Result/Impact
UEH Scholarship Policy School UEH (Department of Student affairs), units outside UEH (Học bổng tài trợ) Implementing the Direct Support Program and Managing the Financial Aid Fund: UEH has allocated a budget of 70 billion VND to grant scholarships and directly manage various types of scholarships supporting disadvantaged students. Creating opportunities for learners from different backgrounds, promoting equality and non-discrimination; and providing timely support for students facing unexpected financial hardships, such as natural disasters or illness, enabling them to pursue a comprehensive learning process.
Rural Structural Transformation in Developing Countries Project Global/Regional European Research Council (ERC), FUNDACIO PRIVADA BARCELONA GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS – Research and generate empirical evidence: UEH conducts fundamental academic research to explain the agricultural productivity gap and generates empirical evidence to inform effective poverty eradication policies focused on rural development. Provide new answers to explain the agricultural productivity gap and to guide effective poverty reduction policies focused on rural development.
ICBF 2024 – International Conference on Business and Finance National / International Managers, scholars, government, press Organizing international academic forums: UEH hosts conferences that create crucial platforms for exchanging ideas on sustainable solutions to global issues such as climate change, poverty eradication, and inequality. Promoting globally impactful scientific research and connecting researchers on sustainable topics.
Proposing social security policies (through ministerial-level topics) National Government (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health – via ministerial-level projects) Ministerial-Level Research and Policy Recommendations: UEH conducts ministerial-level research and provides policy recommendations, including establishing a healthcare fund for disadvantaged groups and policy beneficiaries. Proposed policy recommendations aimed at reducing inequality in access to healthcare services.
National Research on Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem National Youth:CoLab, UNDP Việt Nam, Embassy of the Netherlands National Research Implementation and Policy Development Support: UEH and Youth:CoLab announced this research, which plays a role in orienting and supporting policy development and strengthening the necessary support system for disadvantaged youth to develop in the entrepreneurship field. Promoting policy reforms to enhance the quality of the innovation ecosystem in Vietnam.
National Scientific Workshop on Land Law and Sustainable Development National Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Provincial Leaders (Mekong Delta Region) National Policy Review/Consultancy: UEH organized a national scientific workshop to analyze, assess, and propose solutions for the implementation of the 2024 Land Law. The research and discussions are significant contributions to the law’s effective enforcement. Proposing equitable policies and poverty eradication for vulnerable groups.

Promoting sustainable development and social equality through the analysis and proposal of solutions for implementing crucial legislation.
The Project on Gender Mainstreaming in Irrigation and Disaster Prevention Infrastructure (GS4Infra) Local Cu Lao Dung District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Field Collaboration and Community Capacity Enhancement: UEH collaborates with local authorities to organize training sessions aimed at raising awareness about irrigation infrastructure and gender mainstreaming solutions. This helps the community practice analytical and problem-solving skills to refine local infrastructure development plans. Raising community awareness and soliciting feedback to finalize local infrastructure development plans.
EfD Initiative – Climate security & adaptation Project International EfD, government, international organizations Research, Policy Analysis, and Field Experiments: UEH conducts research projects by implementing lab-in-the-field experiments and household surveys to assess the impact of public adaptation investment on farmers’ decisions, informing integrated adaptation strategies. Exploring the implications for the climate security of coastal communities and informing integrated adaptation strategies.
The EfD Project – Rights-based fisheries management National/ International EfD, fishing communities, government Interdisciplinary Research and Policy Support: UEH conducts research on the role of coastal ecosystems (“green infrastructure”) and the mechanisms used by rural households to mitigate risks, aiming to provide insights for policy. Providing insights into the role of coastal ecosystems and the mechanisms used by rural households to mitigate risks, to support policy.
TVSEP Project – Poverty reduction in Southeast Asia National/ Regional University of Hannover, partners from Germany, Vietnam, Thailand Data Collection and Analysis of Poverty Dynamics: UEH is a research partner participating in the long-term collection of socio-economic data from low-income and vulnerable rural households in Vietnam (Ha Tinh, Thua Thien Hue, Dak Lak). Creating a crucial long-term database on poverty dynamics and vulnerability to shocks (floods, storms, droughts) in the Southeast Asia region.
ANU – Navigating water challenges in Mekong Delta National ANU, Mekong stakeholders Research on water resources management and poverty impacts. Providing policy recommendations for sustainable development of the Mekong.
Research on the impact of microfinance on the livelihoods of ethnic minority households in Vietnam National (Ethnic minorities), Local UEH (self-implemented or through grassroots-level projects) Applied Research and Policy Recommendations: UEH conducts in-depth research to provide appropriate recommendations for policymakers in the socio-economic development for ethnic minorities. Providing policy recommendations to help develop the socio-economy in a sustainable direction.
Research on out-of-pocket health expenditure and its impact factors on rural households in the Mekong Delta Region Regional (Mekong Delta), National UEH (through grassroots-level projects) Academic Research/Providing Evidence: UEH conducts research to analyze healthcare costs for rural households. Providing research content as a basis for health policies to reduce the financial burden on poor households.
Grassroots-level topics on poverty eradication/economics/legal frameworks Local/ Regional UEH Implementation of local applied research: UEH implements 16 grassroots-level research topics with themes associated with local-serving research, including poverty eradication. Addressing urgent local issues, promoting sustainable development.
Historical Agrarian Change and its Connections to Contemporary Agricultural Extension in Northwest Cambodia International UEH Policy Analysis/Historical Critique: UEH (through HAPRI senior researchers) conducts political ecology analysis to provide crucial counterpoints to technocratic interventions, emphasizing the need to confront power relations to enhance peasant livelihoods.. Providing critical context and Information: The research offers essential context and reflective insights for policymakers and development professionals.
Smallholder farmers’ challenges and opportunities Global/ Regional (Northwest Cambodia) UEH Comprehensive research and Policy recommendation proposals: UEH (through HAPRI) conducts mixed-methods research to provide recommendations aimed at enhancing the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers. These results hold significant importance for policymakers focusing on poverty eradication and food security.  Contributing valuable insights to the global discourse on poverty reduction and food security.

These activities demonstrate UEH’s role as a policy-oriented university, contributing to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Compared to 2023, in 2024, UEH made a significant leap in participating in and advising on poverty reduction policy formulation at local, national, and international levels. Evolving from policy-suggestive academic activities and seminars in 2023, UEH has expanded its scale and enhanced quality with numerous ministerial-level projects, empirical research (TVSEP, EfD), and field projects directly supporting vulnerable communities. International forums such as ICBF 2024 and the 2024 Land Law workshop demonstrated UEH’s role as a bridge connecting the government, businesses, and international organizations in the process of shaping social protection systems and sustainable development. In parallel, UEH continued to implement scholarship policies and support for disadvantaged students, contributing to poverty eradication through education.

Specifically, 2024 highlighted the prominence of UEH’s activities in their multidisciplinary nature, broad impact scope, and the strong connection between research, policy, and community action. This affirms UEH as a policy-oriented academic center, pioneering the promotion of the goal to “end poverty” in all its forms and dimensions in Vietnam.

Open related links:

1. 11 ministerial-level or equivalent projects – https://ueh.edu.vn/nghien-cuu/de-tai-nckh/de-tai-cap-bo

2. 96 grassroots-level projects – https://ueh.edu.vn/nghien-cuu/de-tai-nckh

3. UEH Scholarship Policy – https://dsa.ueh.edu.vn/tin-tuc/chinh-sach-hoc-bong/

4. Rural Structural Transformation in Developing Countries Project – https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101078719

5. August 18th, 2024 – ICBF 2024 – International Conference on Business and Finance – https://ueh.edu.vn/khoa-hoc/icbf-2024-dien-dan-hoc-thuat-trao-doi-cac-van-de-duong-dai-trong-linh-vuc-kinh-te-tai-chinh-72238

6. January 18th, 2024 – Proposing social security policies (through ministerial-level topics); The Project on Gender Mainstreaming in Irrigation and Disaster Prevention Infrastructure (GS4Infra); Research on the impact of microfinance on the livelihoods of ethnic minority households in Vietnam; Research on out-of-pocket health expenditure and its impact factors on rural households in the Mekong Delta Region; Grassroots-level topics on poverty eradication/economics/legal frameworks – https://ueh.edu.vn/khoa-hoc/cac-no-luc-hoc-thuat-nghien-cuu-de-xuat-chinh-sach-ho-tro-cong-dong-dia-phuong-73289

7. January 25th, 2025 – National Research on Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem – https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/ueh-thuc-day-he-sinh-thai-khoi-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-huong-den-nhung-gia-tri-cong-dong-ben-vung-73310

8. June 26th, 2024 – National Scientific Workshop on Land Law and Sustainable Development – https://www.ueh.edu.vn/ueh-mekong/cuoc-song-ueh-mekong/ueh-to-chuc-hoi-thao-khoa-hoc-quoc-gia-kinh-te-luat-quan-ly-va-phat-trien-ben-vung-duoi-tac-dong-cua-luat-dat-dai-2024-tai-ueh-phan-hieu-vinh-long-72007?app=true

9. EfD Initiative – Climate security & adaptation Project – https://www.efdinitiative.org/research/projects/climate-security-and-adaptation-government-investment-and-farmers-adaptation

10. The EfD Project – Rights-based fisheries management – https://www.efdinitiative.org/publications/understanding-non-compliance-rights-based-fisheries-management-vietnam

11. TVSEP Project – Poverty reduction in Southeast Asia – https://www.tvsep.de/en/project

12. ANU – Navigating water challenges in Mekong Delta – https://researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/publications/navigating-water-challenges-in-the-vietnamese-mekong-delta-how-ca

13. Historical Agrarian Change and its Connections to Contemporary Agricultural Extension in Northwest Cambodia – https://www.hapri.org/post/historical-agrarian-change-and-its-connections-to-contemporary-agricultural-extension-in-northwest-c?lang=vi

14. Smallholder farmers’ challenges and opportunities – https://www.hapri.org/post/smallholder-farmers-challenges-and-opportunities-implications-for-agricultural-production-environ