The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) recognizes policy research as one of the strategic pillars in its development orientation, aiming to make substantive contributions to sustainable development at both the national and local levels. In recent years, UEH has not only accelerated high-value academic research projects but has also actively participated in rigorous policy research on public policy, coordinating with government agencies, central ministries and departments, and provincial and city People’s Committees.

UEH’s research activities focus on crucial areas of development including local economics, urban governance, climate change, circular economy, social welfare, and digital transformation. Numerous research topics and projects have been commissioned or jointly implemented by provincial People’s Committees working with central ministries and departments such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Research results have been integrated into policy formulation and adjustment processes, contributing to addressing practical challenges in local socio-economic development.

Through research activities and policy dialogue, UEH has not only strengthened its academic standing but also affirmed its role as a strategic partner of the Government in research, consulting, and developing public policy in critical areas such as poverty reduction, circular economy, digital transformation, agricultural and rural development, and sustainable urban governance.

Summary of UEH’s Policy Research Engagement Efforts in 2024

Participation in Policy Research with Government and Local Authorities

UEH has led and coordinated with People’s Committees of provinces and cities (An Giang, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Kien Giang, Vinh Long, Quang Ngai, Hau Giang, Tien Giang, and others) to implement numerous research studies and provincial policy forums, focusing on critical themes:

+ Sustainable local economic development and enhanced provincial competitiveness

+ Social welfare policy, multidimensional poverty reduction, and support for vulnerable groups

+ Public financial management, local budgeting, and resource allocation mechanisms

+ Climate change response, ecological tourism development, and digital transformation in rural areas

Results from these studies have been integrated into policy advisory reports to People’s Committees and have become inputs for ministerial and national-level research topics led by UEH. Many of UEH’s recommendations have been incorporated into local economic and social development resolutions and plans, addressing practical challenges in development.

Participation in National and International Policy Research

UEH, through the Institute for Development Policy Research and Sustainable Development (IRDRC) and the Institute for Smart Cities and Management (ISCM), has collaborated with central ministries and departments including the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Ministry of Finance to implement projects including:

+ Policy research on green transition and circular economy, together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee under the international EfD–World Bank Initiative

+ Ministerial-level research on smart urban governance, ESG, and sustainable development policy

+ National-level projects supporting poverty reduction and social welfare policy formulation

These works have contributed empirical evidence and policy recommendations to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, and other management agencies in formulating green development policies.

Research Networks and Interdisciplinary Research Capacity

UEH currently has over 200 lecturers and researchers participating in policy projects within and outside the country, with interdisciplinary research capacity spanning economics, public administration, law, finance, urban studies, and sustainable development.

The university maintains international academic collaboration networks including:

+ EfD – Environment for Development: environmental economics research and resource policy

+ ANU–UEH Partnership (Australia National University): public policy and regional development research

+ UNDP & Youth:CoLab Vietnam: supporting innovative social policy and sustainable entrepreneurship

Additionally, UEH organizes the Policy Dialogue Series – a multidisciplinary policy dialogue forum connecting UEH scholars with representatives from ministries, departments, enterprises, and communities. This series of activities transforms research results into practical recommendations for policy formulation processes.

Notable Results and Impact

UEH’s research activities and policy collaboration efforts have generated multifaceted impacts including:

+ Strengthening local policy formulation capacity through direct scientific consulting and review

+ Providing empirical evidence for policy revision in critical areas such as land, social welfare, environment, and green economy

+ Promoting the “University Serving the Community” model, integrating research knowledge into solving practical issues

+ Affirming UEH’s position as a strategic partner of the Government in developing public policy, aligned with national sustainable development orientation

Specific Results Achieved

Project/Activity Name Partners & Level Field/Theme Form of Research/Policy Participation Impact & Results
Ministry-Level and Equivalent Research Topics Proposing Policy for Local Communities (11 Completed Topics in 2024) Ministry/Government Agency at Ministerial Level Social Innovation, Digital Transformation, Social Welfare (Healthcare), Legal Framework (2024 Land Law) Proposing procedures for enhancing innovation capacity for small and medium enterprises; solutions for building a green economy through digital transformation; recommendations for reducing health inequity; proposing strategies to leverage opportunities and minimize challenges from the 2024 Land Law Providing empirical basis for policy agencies and enterprises; contributing to sustainable development and social equity. Rigorous policy research and critical analysis
Vietnam Green Bonds Readiness Program Project Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Vietnam Ministry of Finance, Luxembourg Government Sustainable Finance, Green Bonds, Gender Mainstreaming UEH representative presenting the theme “Sustainable Finance through the Gender and Social Inclusion Lens” to enhance investment in sustainable projects Supporting long-term development of Vietnam’s green bond market; increasing investment in sustainable projects that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Workshop on Circular Economy Policies for Southern Vietnam EfD Vietnam (UEH), Institute for Strategic and Environmental Policy Research (ISPONRE) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Circular Economy, Environmental Policy Training local officials on circular economy principles and strategies to help them analyze and apply policies at the provincial level Supporting the National Action Plan for circular economy implementation; anticipated influence on policy formulation and decision-making processes
Ho Chi Minh City Economic Report: Recovery and Challenges Ho Chi Minh City Statistics Office Ho Chi Minh City Socio-Economic Development, Economic Analysis Scientific publication contributing to applied research promotion and providing strategic information to support the City leadership’s policy formulation work Providing comprehensive perspective on Ho Chi Minh City’s economy (first six months of 2024); proposing policy recommendations for City authorities
Project: Assessment of Current Status, Potential Identification, and Solutions Proposal for Socio-Economic-Environmental Development in Dong Thap Province, 2026-2030 Phase Dong Thap Province Department of Planning and Investment, Dong Thap Province Statistics Office Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainable Development at Provincial Level (Dong Thap) Proposing strategic solutions for socio-economic-environmental development toward sustainability in the 2026-2030 period. Providing scientific evidence and assessing achievement levels of performance indicators from provincial Party Congress resolutions Contributing to the formulation of strategy and socio-economic-environmental development policy of Dong Thap Province for the 2026-2030 period
Project: Assessment of Current Status, Potential Identification, and Solutions Proposal for Socio-Economic-Environmental Development in Ben Tre Province, 2026-2030 Phase Regional Development Research and Consulting Institute (UEH), Official Evaluation Council of Vinh Long Province People’s Committee and Ben Tre Province Department of Science and Technology Socio-Economic-Environmental Sustainable Development at Provincial Level (Ben Tre) Assessing current status, potential, and proposing socio-economic-environmental development solutions for Ben Tre Province in the 2026-2030 period Results of science and technology task implementation have been registered and filed; contributing to socio-economic-environmental development of Ben Tre Province
Policy Research on Public Transport through the Gender Lens Not specifying specific Government office; national/international level partner (Vietnam) Public Transport Policy, Gender Equality, Personal Safety Proposing public policy including gender safety audit and infrastructure improvement to enhance safety and encourage bus use for women and LGBT populations Serving as rigorous policy research ensuring the inclusion of women and LGBT in policy formulation, decision-making, and planning of public transportation systems
Research on Digital Economic Development (National-Level Topic KX.04.22/21-25) Supporting the Central Theoretical Council and various central agencies Digital Economy: Orientation and Policy Solutions UEH organizing a series of scientific workshops in Hanoi, Vinh, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City to discuss and develop policy Providing scientific evidence for building a digital economy model and proposing policy solutions appropriate to Vietnam’s context, directing digital economy development toward 2030 with vision 2045
Project: Mainstreaming Gender in Hydraulic Works and Disaster Prevention (GS4Infra) Cu Lao Dung District Agriculture and Rural Development Office, Soc Trang Gender Mainstreaming in Hydraulic Infrastructure Development and Disaster Prevention Collaborating with local authorities and civil society organizations to organize training for residents in Cu Lao Dung District Strengthening community capacity and raising awareness of the importance of hydraulic infrastructure for livelihoods. Proposing solutions to address sensitive gender issues in policy formulation and development of public sectors related to water infrastructure and climate change

Compared to 2023, UEH’s research activities and participation in policy and program initiatives in 2024 demonstrate marked growth in scope, breadth, and quality of impact. While 2023 primarily focused on ministerial-level science topics and academic outputs, 2024 marks a significant transition from research to practical policy influence. UEH has implemented 11 completed ministerial or equivalent-level research topics, while simultaneously expanding cooperation with over 8 provinces and cities in local development research and policy consulting.

Research themes have been renewed toward sustainability and contemporary relevance, including circular economy, green finance, gender in infrastructure development, digital transformation, and climate-adaptive development in the Mekong region. Notably, many UEH recommendations have been integrated into local development plans and resolutions, reflecting increasingly deep and broad policy critique and leadership capacity.

With the establishment of specialized research centers and networks (IRDRC, ISCM) and a team of over 200 researchers and lecturers, UEH has demonstrated significant advancement in participating in and creating substantive impact on the Government’s policy formulation processes. These results reinforce UEH’s role as an interdisciplinary policy research center, contributing scientific evidence to Vietnam’s policy formulation process oriented toward sustainable development.

Open related links:

1. Ministry-Level and Equivalent Research Topics Proposing Policy for Local Communities (11 Completed Topics in 2024) – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/academic-efforts-research-and-policy-proposals-supporting-local-communities-73356

2. Vietnam Green Bonds Readiness Program Project – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/academic-efforts-research-and-policy-proposals-supporting-local-communities-73356

3. Workshop on Circular Economy Policies for Southern Vietnam – https://www.efdinitiative.org/news/efd-cohosts-workshop-circular-economy-policies-southern-vietnam

4. Ho Chi Minh City Economic Report: Recovery and Challenges – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/academic-efforts-research-and-policy-proposals-supporting-local-communities-73356

5. Project: Assessment of Current Status, Potential Identification, and Solutions Proposal for Socio-Economic-Environmental Development in Dong Thap Province, 2026-2030 Phase – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y9yHR500CpESqeBKGneG51fs87llmIe3/view

6. Project: Assessment of Current Status, Potential Identification, and Solutions Proposal for Socio-Economic-Environmental Development in Ben Tre Province, 2026-2030 Phase – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q_n6gi2MyPO89UnUeGw6ONTHbb3f55O1/view

7. Policy Research on Public Transport through the Gender Lens – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XMdYa_zTpv9UecnKe96cFPBW503WiGif/view

8. Research on Digital Economic Development (National-Level Topic KX.04.22/21-25) – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/research-contribution-for-all-73382

9. Project: Mainstreaming Gender in Hydraulic Works and Disaster Prevention (GS4Infra) – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/research-contribution-for-all-73382