2.5.3. University access to local farmers and food producers

University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has always emphasized its mission to accompany farmers and enterprises in the food and agricultural sectors in addressing food security challenges sustainably. UEH is committed to providing free access to its modern facilities — including laboratories, innovation spaces, technology platforms, exhibition areas, and online marketplaces — for farmers and local food producers. This policy ensures that agricultural communities face no financial barriers when utilizing UEH’s infrastructure for testing, preservation, showcasing, and promoting their products. As a result, farmers, cooperatives, and food production enterprises can directly leverage the university’s resources to improve production processes, access new technologies, and expand their markets sustainably.

Throughout its development, UEH has launched numerous initiatives to promote long-term community value, with a strong focus on supporting and collaborating with farmers and agricultural and food processing enterprises. In recent years, UEH has proactively developed an innovation ecosystem, notably through the UEH Institute of Innovation (UII) and the MCIE Center, where startups and agricultural cooperatives have access to laboratories, quality-testing facilities, post-harvest preservation technologies, and smart agriculture models. These serve as key foundations for farmers to experiment with production improvements and enhance product quality before entering the market.

Additionally, UEH provides opportunities for agricultural startups to participate in incubation programs, receive project mentorship, and use exhibition spaces free of charge, as well as participate in networking events to expand market access. Agricultural products, food items, and processed goods (such as HAPINUT and YoBite) have been promoted free of charge on the UEH Community Shop online trading platform — reaching over 30,000 students — and have also received marketing, exhibition, and promotional support across UEH campuses. These products are further showcased at major professional events and scientific conferences, contributing to the broader dissemination of sustainable agricultural innovations.

Beyond INNO SHOP, startup enterprises are also given opportunities to use modern facilities at UII, participate in events, and showcase their products across various UEH campuses.

HAPINUT at the UEH Sharing – Career fair 2024

Supporting Farmers in the Mekong Delta and Agricultural Enterprises in the Region

From a local development perspective, UEH has always stood side by side with farmers in the Mekong Delta and agricultural enterprises across the region — one of Vietnam’s key agricultural production and export hubs. The university not only engages in research, policy recommendations, and workshops to enhance agricultural product quality but also creates opportunities for local enterprises to showcase, promote, and distribute their products at major events.

OCOP products and regional specialties from Vinh Long and other provinces frequently appear at events and conferences organized by UEH. Agricultural enterprises and cooperatives are granted free access to UEH’s exhibition spaces, display equipment, and networking platforms to present their products. This initiative enables local products to gain greater visibility among students, staff, experts, and international partners — thereby increasing export potential and expanding domestic consumption.

UEH VINH LONG [CAREER FAIR 2024]: Enterprises promote products at the Internship and Job Fair and the 2nd Business Cooperation Signing Ceremony in 2024

The exhibition area showcasing OCOP (One Commune One Product) products from Vinh Long Province and the Mekong Delta region, held as part of the RTD 2024 International Scientific Conference (Resilience by Technology and Design) under the theme “For a More Sustainable Mekong Delta,” was organized at the Vinh Long Campus.

Enterprises showcased OCOP (One Commune One Product) items from Vinh Long Province and the Mekong Delta region as part of the Opening Ceremony for the 51st Regular Undergraduate Intake in 2025.

UEH also organized the National Scientific Conference and Exhibition on “Applying Technology to Develop Sustainable Tourism Supply Chains” at UEH Mekong. The conference attracted nearly 300 delegates and featured 30 exhibition booths displaying technology products, tourism offerings, and agricultural goods from cooperatives engaged in developing the Mekong Delta’s eco-tourism sector.

UEH organized the National Conference on “Applying Technology to Develop Sustainable Tourism Supply Chains” at the Vinh Long Campus, fostering connections for the introduction, promotion, and distribution of agricultural and food products from local enterprises and cooperatives engaged in developing the Mekong Delta’s eco-tourism network.

In addition, the UEH Vinh Long Student Cooperative (UEHCV Coop, now UEH Mekong), established on April 27, 2022, has contributed to connecting the food supply chain and utility services while offering students practical business experience and expanding services for the community. After more than two years of operation, the cooperative has maintained stable performance with two main business areas: the Start-up Coffee student café and the Mini Mart convenience store, launched in September 2022 in collaboration with Co.opmart Vinh Long. These facilities serve students and faculty members, particularly those living on campus. Through these initiatives, regional agricultural specialties and local food products have been connected, promoted, and distributed, thereby increasing sales and strengthening community ties.

UEH Vinh Long Campus holding a Founding Conference of the Student Cooperative

Student Coffee (Start-up Coffee) in a new look

Ma Hai banh mi at UEH Mekong

Convenience store (Mini Mart)

With the orientation “Think Globally, Act Locally – For Sustainable Development,” UEH has demonstrated its role as a bridge between universities, farmers, and businesses—not only in education and research but also in providing free access to facilities and technological platforms to support the growth of the agricultural community. These efforts contribute to achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger and other related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Open related links:

1. UEH Institute of Innovation (UII) – https://ueh.edu.vn/school-landing-page/uii/en 

2. June 05, 2024 – UEH Inaugurating the Mekong Delta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MCIE) and organizing the contests “THE STEM UEH MEKONG 2024” and “DRONE CHAMPION VINH LONG 2024” – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-inaugurating-the-mekong-delta-center-for-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-mcie-and-organizing-the-contests-the-stem-ueh-mekong-2024-and-drone-champion-vinh-long-2024-71962

3. UEH Community Shop – https://shop.ueh.edu.vn/ 

4. April 2, 2024 – HAPINUT at the UEH Sharing event series – Career fair 2024 – https://hapinut.com/hapinut-tai-chuoi-su-kien-ueh-sharing-career-fair-2024-9081.html 

5. October 25, 2024 – UEH VINH LONG [CAREER FAIR 2024]: Opening of the Internship and Job Fair and the 2nd Business Cooperation Signing Ceremony in 2024 – https://ueh.edu.vn/ueh-mekong/cuoc-song-ueh-mekong/ueh-vinh-long-career-fair-2024-lan-2-nam-2024-72684 

6. July 21, 2024 – The 2nd International Conference Resilience by Technology and Design 2024 “For a More Sustainable Mekong Delta” at UEH Vinh Long Campus  https://www.ueh.edu.vn/en/news/the-2nd-international-conference-resilience-by-technology-and-design-2024-for-a-more-sustainable-mekong-delta-at-ueh-vinh-long-campus-72124

7. October 08, 2025 – UEH Mekong – Opening Ceremony for the 51st Intake of Full-time Undergraduate Programs: The First Page – Write Your Own Story at UEH – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-mekong-opening-ceremony-for-the-51st-intake-of-full-time-undergraduate-programs-the-first-page-write-your-own-story-at-ueh-75012

8. July 07, 2023 – UEH organized the National Workshop “Application of technology to develop sustainable tourism supply chain” at Vinh Long Branch – https://ueh.edu.vn/khoa-hoc/ueh-to-chuc-hoi-thao-quoc-gia-ung-dung-cong-nghe-phat-trien-chuoi-cung-ung-du-lich-ben-vung-tai-phan-hieu-vinh-long-70472 

9. April 29, 2022 – UEH Vinh Long Campus holding a Founding Conference of the Student Cooperative – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-vinh-long-campus-holding-a-founding-conference-of-the-student-cooperative-58656