16.3.1. Provide expert advice to government

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) develops its provision of expert advice to government agencies by commenting on reports, proposing policy solutions, supplying research evidence and participating in advisory mechanisms. In 2025, its contributions focused on local economic development, innovation, digital transformation, technology governance and social protection. Participation in establishing the International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City further expanded UEH’s contributions, linking its expertise to the development and operation of institutions supporting growth.

UEH’s advisory activities are delivered through its member colleges, research institutes and experts, primarily in the following forms:

Policy advice: analysing governance issues, commenting on draft reports and proposing solutions.

Provision of evidence: using data and research findings to support policy discussion.

Participation in advisory mechanisms: contributing expertise through working groups and joint programmes, and providing specialist personnel to government agencies.

1. Expert Advice to Local Government — Local

Programme or activity	Government agencies involved	Nature and form of UEH’s contribution	Specific analysis, evidence or recommendations provided by UEH experts	Results and evidence sources
Advisory participation and provision of experts for the International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, October–December 2025	Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; advisory team for establishing IFC HCMC; IFC HCMC Executive Authority	UEH is identified as a core participant in the advisory team for establishing IFC HCMC. In December 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyễn Hữu Huân, UEH School of Banking, was seconded to the Centre and appointed Vice Chairman of its Executive Authority under Decision No. 450/QĐ-UBND. On 22 December 2025, UEH presented Secondment Decision No. 4014/QĐ-ĐHKT-PTTCNL. Figure. An official visit by the Ho Chi Minh City leadership delegation, led by the Chairman of the City People’s Committee and involving UEH, advanced high-level international partnerships in preparation for training highly qualified personnel for the IFC. Figure. Assoc. Prof. Dr Bùi Quang Hùng, UEH Vice President in Charge, presents the secondment decision to Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyễn Hữu Huân for his role in IFC HCMC’s executive operations.	UEH participated in the IFC advisory team and seconded Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyễn Hữu Huân to its Executive Authority.	Confirms UEH’s direct participation in advisory mechanisms and provision of specialist personnel for the City’s financial institution. [Source: UEH seconds personnel and supports the IFC, published 24 December 2025]
Comments on reports and research supporting Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu’s development	Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu provincial government and specialist agencies	According to a cooperation review published in 2025, UEH contributed comments on the province’s socio-economic reports, development directions and policy documents. UEH’s Institute for Regional Development Research and Consulting (IRDRC) undertook research in 2025 on science and technology indicators affecting the province’s total factor productivity (TFP). Figure. On the afternoon of 27 June 2025, at the ceremony marking the 34th anniversary of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu’s establishment (12 August 1991–12 August 2025), UEH received a Certificate of Merit from Provincial People’s Committee Chairman Nguyễn Văn Thọ in recognition of its significant and practical contributions to local socio-economic development.	IRDRC led a study assessing science and technology indicators affecting provincial TFP, as recorded in the cooperation review published in 2025.	Demonstrates expert input and research serving local governance. The overall cooperation review should be distinguished from a research task undertaken specifically in 2025. [Source: UEH receives a Certificate of Merit from the Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu People’s Committee, published 30 June 2025]
Recommendations for developing Ho Chi Minh City’s digital economy, 12 August 2025	Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology; participating departments and local authorities	UEH co-organised a digital economy workshop with the Department of Science and Technology. Assoc. Prof. Dr Phạm Khánh Nam proposed strengthening public–private–community–academic collaboration and the City–University model, with attention to digital infrastructure, open data and legal safeguards for privacy and cybersecurity. Figure. Assoc. Prof. Dr Phạm Khánh Nam, Rector of the UEH College of Economics, Law and Government, contributes to the discussion “Expert Recommendations for Developing Ho Chi Minh City’s Digital Economy”.	Assoc. Prof. Dr Phạm Khánh Nam recommended public–private–community–academic collaboration, application of the City–University model, digital infrastructure, open data, and legal safeguards for privacy and cybersecurity. These recommendations were presented at a forum co-organised by UEH and the City’s Department of Science and Technology.	Provides expert recommendations at a forum informing the City’s digital economy development directions. [Source: Workshop “Digital Economy – A New Growth Driver for Ho Chi Minh City”, published 13 August 2025]

2. Evidence and Solutions for Localities across Regions — Regional

Programme or activity	Agencies and geographical scope served	Nature and form of UEH’s contribution	Specific analysis, evidence or recommendations provided by UEH experts	Results and evidence sources
Policy roundtable on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, 4 April 2025	Representatives of government agencies and localities in the Southeast, Central Highlands and South Central Coast	UEH organised exchanges between experts and local authorities on implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW. Topics included the Provincial Innovation Index, public-sector digital transformation, the digital economy and smart urban development. Figure. National scientific roundtable on policies promoting science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in localities to implement Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated 22 December 2024 on breakthroughs in national science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.	Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Thị Bích Nguyệt analysed strengths and weaknesses across provincial innovation pillars, recommending priorities and roadmaps suited to individual localities. Dr Thái Kim Phụng and Dr Nguyễn Văn Dư analysed public-sector digital transformation bottlenecks and proposed coordinated infrastructure investment, staff training and supporting policies. The contributions were presented to representatives of the Ministry of Science and Technology and government agencies from several regions.	Provided a channel for sharing analysis, experience and solutions with multiple localities, linking UEH’s expertise with policy implementation needs. [Source: National scientific roundtable on policies promoting science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in localities to implement Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated 22 December 2024, published 9 April 2025]
Roundtable on implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW in Mekong Delta provinces, 17 April 2025	Representatives of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Vĩnh Long provincial leaders and departments from Mekong Delta localities	Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Thị Bích Nguyệt used provincial data to discuss innovation and propose regional and sectoral linkages. Dr Thái Kim Phụng presented public-sector digital transformation solutions addressing policies, infrastructure, human resources, digital citizens and operational governance. Figure. Overview of the roundtable. Figure. Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Thị Bích Nguyệt, Chairperson of the UEH Strategic and Policy Advisory Council, presents her paper. Figure. Dr Thái Kim Phụng, Vice Rector of the UEH College of Technology and Design, presents his paper.	Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Thị Bích Nguyệt used provincial data to analyse innovation and recommend regional and sectoral linkages. Dr Thái Kim Phụng presented public-sector digital transformation solutions concerning policies, infrastructure, personnel, digital citizens and operational governance.	Provided research evidence and policy implications at a forum attended by government agencies and local leaders. [Source: UEH roundtable on implementing Resolution No. 57 at UEH Mekong, published 18 April 2025]

3. Expert Contributions at National Policy Forums — National

Programme or activity	Government agencies involved	UEH’s contribution	Specific analysis, evidence or recommendations provided by UEH experts	Results and evidence sources
Conference on the digital technology economy, law and policy, 18 April 2025	Co-organised by UEH-CELG and IPS; attended by a representative of the Government Office’s Department of Law	UEH experts discussed institutions in the digital environment, accountability and human rights protection. The conference aimed to contribute recommendations to draft legislation concerning technology, data and innovation. Figure. Plenary and parallel sessions featured discussions on institutions in the digital environment, accountability and human rights protection.	Assoc. Prof. Dr Đỗ Minh Khôi analysed state–market–citizen relationships in the digital environment, proposing a review of the allocation of public and private responsibilities, accountability standards and stronger legal foundations for protecting human rights in cyberspace.	A forum involving a central government agency and expert contributions from UEH. [Source: National scientific conference on digital technology policy, published 19 April 2025]
Recommendations for shock-responsive social protection policy, 3 October 2025	Conference held in collaboration with a unit under the Ministry of Finance and universities	Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyễn Hồng Thắng, UEH, presented a shock-responsive social protection model, proposing a system operating according to predefined rules and using digital platforms to support people during crises. Figure. Overview of the conference “Public Finance and Tax Policies amid Digital Transformation, Restructuring and Global Volatility”. Figure. Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyễn Hồng Thắng presents “The Role of Social Protection Policy in Supporting People through Crises”.	Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyễn Hồng Thắng analysed the shock-responsive social protection model and its potential application in Vietnam, proposing predefined operational rules and digital platforms to deliver adequate and timely support to the right beneficiaries during crises.	Provided specific policy proposals by a UEH expert at a forum held with a policy research agency under the Ministry of Finance. [Source: UEH College of Economics, Law and Government National Conference 2025, published 8 October 2025]

4. Professional Collaboration on Technology Transfer

On 2 October 2025, UEH collaborated with the Ministry of Science and Technology to organise a roundtable on technology transfer and measuring the impacts of science, technology and innovation. The programme provided a channel for exchanges among government agencies, researchers and businesses.

The source confirms UEH’s co-organising role; some policy contributions reported in the article were made by Ministry representatives. The activity is therefore used as supplementary evidence of professional collaboration, without attributing all recommendations at the roundtable to UEH.

Figure. Overview of the scientific roundtable “Technology Transfer and Measuring the Impacts of Science, Technology and Innovation: Implications for National and Local Development”.

Figure. Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Thị Bích Nguyệt, Chairperson of the UEH Strategic and Policy Advisory Council, speaks at the roundtable.

[Source: Scientific roundtable on technology transfer and impact measurement, published 7 October 2025]

5. UEH Experts’ Contributions in the Media Supporting Local Development in 2025

5.1. Expert analysis and recommendations for local development

In 2025, experts from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) contributed analysis, research evidence and recommendations on local development issues through commissioned research, workshops with government agencies and media commentary. Topics included infrastructure development, logistics, urban governance, financial centres, green transport, social housing and human resources for science and technology.

UEH’s 2025 media monitoring inventory records articles reflecting these contributions. Compiling media sources makes the expert content publicly accessible, identifies the experts and localities concerned, and supplements documentation of direct advice to government agencies.

Figure. Prof. Dr Võ Xuân Vinh reports findings from the economic infrastructure development study commissioned by the Đồng Nai Provincial Party Committee and undertaken by UEH, at the acceptance meeting on 14 January 2025.

5.2. Developing a knowledge transfer and policy insight channel for Khánh Hòa

Alongside experts’ media contributions, UEH partnered with Khánh Hòa Newspaper, Radio and Television to develop the academic section “Where Knowledge Converges”. The section identifies government authorities and managers as one of its target audiences, providing contemporary knowledge, urban development experience and research-based policy insights. Topics include the marine economy, technology and digital transformation, infrastructure and human resources, and public governance and policy. This provides a specific collaborative channel for bringing UEH’s knowledge into the local development ecosystem.

[Source: UEH launches the “Where Knowledge Converges” academic section on Khánh Hòa Newspaper, Radio and Television]

One publicly available contribution is the study “Processes and Policies for Developing the Night-Time Economy towards Smart City Development: A Case Study of Nha Trang–Khánh Hòa”, conducted by Ngô Bá Hưng of UEH and Lê Hoàng Nam of Tôn Đức Thắng University. The authors proposed locally appropriate night-time economy management regulations, spatially flexible licensing, an inter-agency coordinating unit, and measures concerning infrastructure, technology and community participation. The version on Vietnam.vn cites Khánh Hòa Newspaper and displays the date 26 December 2025.

[Source: Processes and Policies for Developing the Night-Time Economy… in Nha Trang–Khánh Hòa]

Figure. “Where Knowledge Converges” – an academic collaboration channel between UEH and Khánh Hòa Newspaper, Radio and Television, providing knowledge and policy insights for local development.

5.3. Results of compiling media sources for 2025

This compilation selects 11 articles covering 10 groups of expert contributions, together with one source introducing the academic collaboration channel in Khánh Hòa and one research article on Nha Trang’s night-time economy. It is a selected inventory supporting this evidence article, rather than a complete count of UEH’s media activities in 2025.

The Đồng Nai case, the marine economy roundtable organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, and the human resources workshop organised by the Cần Thơ Department of Science and Technology identify commissioning agencies or government bodies participating in professional exchanges. The remaining articles add public analysis and recommendations; documentation identifying the recipient of the advice is needed to clarify the relationship through which expertise was provided to government agencies.

6. Continuity and Development of Expert Advisory Activities

Building on economic reports, applied research and policy collaboration in previous years, UEH continued to develop its expert contributions in 2025. Alongside comments on documents and proposed solutions, its advisory role and provision of experts for IFC HCMC added a form of direct participation in developing and operating a new institution.

Through policy advice, research evidence and participation in advisory mechanisms, UEH continues to connect academic expertise with government needs. Its contributions in 2025 demonstrate an orientation towards research and professional activities capable of supporting solutions to specific local, regional and national issues.

Public dissemination of expert views through the media supplements UEH’s research and advisory results in 2025. According to its annual review, UEH completed 14 policy review studies commissioned by government agencies, the Government, departments and localities, in the form of conference reports and proceedings papers; it also signed 10 consultancy and transfer contracts with partners.

[Source: www.ueh.edu.vn]

[Source: Top 10 Groups of Notable UEH Activities in 2025 — Section 8]

7. Conclusion

In 2025, UEH continued to expand its provision of expert advice to government agencies at local, regional and national levels, connecting research capacity with practical issues in economic development, innovation, digital transformation and social welfare. Through commissioned research, comments on reports, recommendations presented at forums involving government agencies, and the provision of specialist personnel, UEH contributed data, analysis and options to support policy consideration and formulation.

Its advisory activities became more diverse in form and aligned with the specific needs of government agencies. Research on Đồng Nai’s economic infrastructure, recommendations for Ho Chi Minh City’s digital economy, and innovation implementation solutions for localities demonstrate the capacity to translate academic findings into specific advice. Participation in advisory mechanisms and the secondment of an expert to the International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City further developed UEH’s role, from providing recommendations to directly contributing expertise to the establishment and operation of new development institutions.

Media channels and academic collaboration also broaden access to knowledge and make UEH experts’ analyses and policy insights publicly available. Combined with direct advisory activities, these contributions strengthen the University’s role in supporting public administration and evidence-informed decision making towards sustainable local, regional and national development.