RTD 2026 - FutureScape: A Vision of Technology and Design for a Sustainable Future

31 Jul, 2026

Over the course of six days, from July 15 to 20, 2026, the third International Scientific Conference "Resilience by Technology and Design" (RTD 2026) was successfully held in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta (Vinh Long, Can Tho), and Khanh Hoa. The conference, themed "FutureScape," was co-organized by the UEH College of Technology and Design (CTD), UEH Mekong, and UEH Nexus Nha Trang in collaboration with international partners, marking the 50th anniversary of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City.

Memorable moments of the RTD 2026 Journey - 06 Days

15 outstanding highlights and 03 distinctive meanings of the RTD 2026 International Conference

15 notable figures of RTD 2026

Sharing his reflections on the significance of RTD 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, UEH President, stated that: First, this is one of the key events in the series of activities commemorating UEH's 50th anniversary, reaffirming the university's role as a connective hub in the innovation ecosystem, linking government, businesses, the community, and stakeholders toward sustainable development.

Second, the inter-regional nature of the conference—RTD 2026 being held in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) - three areas with distinct development characteristics and challenges ranging from major urban centers, climate change and the natural environment to marine technology and the ocean economy - facilitates domestic and international scientists in approaching contemporary issues from multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral perspectives.

Third, the increasingly broad participation of international experts and organizations contributes to transforming RTD from an annual academic event into an international connectivity platform, accompanying UEH and domestic universities in seeking solutions to development challenges, particularly in the context of Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - UEH President delivering the opening speech at the Conference

Prof. Elena Marchigiani - Deputy Director of the Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste (Italy), one of the conference's keynote speakers, shared: "What always makes me want to return to the RTD Conference is the opportunity to meet and connect with experts and researchers from different countries and fields. The conference is not only a place for academic exchange but also helps update the latest research trends and professional practices in Southeast Asia. As someone working in the field of planning and coming from Europe, I particularly appreciate the diverse perspectives that an international conference offers. That is why the RTD International Conference is a very worthwhile experience to participate in."

Delegates and experts from various countries attending RTD 2026

Over 2,260 registrations for nearly 140 academic, applied, exhibition, and networking activities

Leg 1 - Ho Chi Minh City (Glocal Technology & Sustainability Hub): A convergence hub for technology, design, and innovation connecting global research networks

Over two days, July 15-16, 2026, RTD 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City attracted over 1,195 registrations. The series of academic and practical sharing activities featured 05 Keynote Speeches, 11 Special Sessions, and 20 Parallel Oral Sessions. Discussions focused on prominent topics such as University Living Labs, smart cities, data and robotics, art-media-technology, and the role of culture in promoting sustainable development.

Prof. Dr. Utz Dornberger - Director of the SEPT Competence Center, Leipzig University, Germany presenting the keynote "Unlocking Business Potential Through University Living Labs"

Assoc. Prof. Tu Anh Trinh - Director of the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), UEH College of Technology and Design presenting the keynote "The FutureScape of Smart City: Unlocking the Prospects and Trends for Developing Cities"

Prof. Bor-Jiunn Wen - Department Chair, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University presenting the keynote "AI-Powered Marine Robots for Smart Coastal Cities: From Underwater Sensing to Global Resilience"

Prof. Haipeng Mi - Department of Information Art and Design, Tsinghua University, China presenting the keynote "Art, Media and Technology in Sustainable Future"

Ms. Carolina Tinangon - Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City presenting the keynote "Culture as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development: Indonesia's Experience in Promoting Creativity, Innovation, and Digital Transformation"

Experts presenting at the Special Session: "Creative Industries and Culture-Led Innovation: Empowering the Next Generation"

Additionally, the CTD Glocal Summit opened a space for dialogue among scholars, experts, and international partners to propose directions for research collaboration, knowledge transfer, and the development of interdisciplinary initiatives in technology and design.

Experts exchanging and discussing new research directions at the CTD Glocal Summit

Notably, at the RTD 2026 Opening Session, the Journal of Technology and Design (JTD) of UEH was widely introduced to the academic community. JTD is oriented to become a forum connecting research, innovation, and practical application in the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary fields of technology and design. The journal publishes periodically in Vietnamese and English, focusing on digital technology and intelligent systems; human-centered design; interactive experiences; and integrated design systems and applications (Website: https://jtd.ueh.edu.vn/).

Launch of the Journal of Technology and Design (JTD)

Alongside the discussion sessions and workshops, RTD 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City left a strong impression with the FutureScape Showcase exhibition space, introducing technological solutions, applied research, digital maps, and sustainable development initiatives through booths from HPT, UOB, WATA Software, Leonix Vietnam, Cloudmap, Wuxi University, UEH Sustainability, Hologram Walk, and an oil painting exhibition.

Concurrently, the Living Symbiosis: ArtTech Experience space offered immersive experiences with AR, VR, animation, 3D mapping, and Hologram Walk, connecting art, technology, and innovation.

Immersive experience with Virtual Reality (VR) at the exhibition

Exhibition space at the Immersive Room

View more about the RTD 2026 opening activities in Ho Chi Minh City here

Leg 2: Mekong - Climate adaptation & communities (Local impact, global relevance)

Continuing the journey, over two days, July 17-18, 2026, at UEH Mekong (Vinh Long) and Can Tho, RTD 2026 in the Mekong Delta, under the theme "FutureScape: Adaptation and Social Innovation," gathered scholars, experts, policymakers, businesses, and learners to discuss and propose solutions for climate change adaptation and sustainable development for the Mekong Delta.

At the UEH Mekong Campus (Vinh Long), the program featured 3 Keynote Speeches, 3 Special Sessions, 4 Parallel Oral Sessions, and 1 Conference in Can Tho, focusing on rethinking water flows and delta transportation, green infrastructure, and blue carbon for climate change adaptation.

Local leaders and management agencies shared practical challenges regarding agricultural value chain transformation, coastal ecological restoration, and regional connectivity. Through this, RTD 2026 continued to affirm the role of UEH Mekong in connecting global knowledge with local development needs, promoting innovation, and co-creating a sustainable future for the Mekong Delta.

Mr. Lu Cong Tao - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the People's Committee of Vinh Long Province delivering a welcome speech

Delegates and experts from 18 countries attending RTD 2026

Prof. Elena Marchigiani - Deputy Director, Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Italy presenting the keynote "A View from the Sea: Rethinking Water Mobilities for Climate Adaptation"

Prof. Bruno De Meulder and Prof. Kelly Shannon, Glocal Experts at the Institute of Smart City and Management, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) presenting the keynote "From Water to Asphalt and Back: Envisioning Future Mobility for the Mekong and Saigon-Dong Nai Deltas"

Dr. Hoang Phi Long - Lecturer at the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) presenting the keynote "Regional collaborations for a prosperous and sustainable Mekong Delta. Insights from research-for-development projects on green infrastructure, mobile technology and blue carbon"

Experts presenting at the Special Session "Delta FutureScape: Systemic Climate Adaptation and Community Design"

In Can Tho, the conference engaged in in-depth dialogue on two critical challenges facing the region: optimizing cold chain logistics to enhance the value of agricultural exports, and the sustainable governance of water resources in the lower Mekong River basin. The connection between international experts, policy makers, and the local business community in Can Tho not only addressed bottlenecks in transportation and distribution infrastructure but also laid the groundwork for flexible regional linkage models. This represents an important piece in translating planning ideas into practical action programs, contributing to a proactive and sustainably developing Mekong Delta.

Experts and speakers attending the conference in Can Tho

OCOP Exhibition Space: Honoring local agricultural identity and value

Alongside the in-depth discussion sessions, the exhibition space featuring cooperative products and distinctive OCOP products from the Mekong Delta became a vibrant cultural and economic highlight at the conference. The exhibition was not merely a showcase of quintessential OCOP-certified agricultural and handicraft products from Vinh Long, Can Tho, Ca Mau, and beyond; it was also tangible evidence of the local population's journey from "pure production" to "integrated value creation." Here, scientists, international experts, and delegates had the opportunity to directly experience and assess commercialization potential, while also exploring solutions for technology application, green packaging design, and digital traceability. This intersection opened opportunities to bring local products further afield, preserving the cultural identity of the river region while creating momentum for sustainable economic development for local communities.

Experts and scientists experiencing local OCOP products

Field trip to Vinh Long

Following the academic activities, on July 18, 2026, delegates and speakers participating in the conference visited and worked at Phuoc Thanh IV Company Limited; toured Vinh Long Port and An Binh Islet, Vinh Long province. The program contributed to connecting academic knowledge with practice, while broadening perspectives on the sustainable development potential of the Mekong Delta region.

Experts and scientists on the field trip to Vinh Long

View more details about RTD 2026 activities in the Mekong Delta here

Leg 3: Nha Trang - Oceans & blue economy (Global convergence, local resilience)

From July 19-20, the sub-theme "FutureScape: Ocean, Knowledge and Convergence" of the International Scientific Conference Resilience by Technology and Design 2026 (RTD 2026) was successfully held in Khanh Hoa.

The program featured 02 Keynote Speeches on AI applications, Large Language Models (LLMs), smart urban planning, and Net Zero; 02 Special Sessions "Blue FutureScape" focusing on the blue economy, ocean technology, biodiversity conservation, marine tourism development, and innovation; and 03 Parallel Oral Sessions on AI, big data, robotics, digital transformation, maritime logistics, and ocean governance.

Domestic and international speakers shared numerous solutions to promote digital transformation, innovation, marine ecosystem conservation, and enhanced international cooperation. Notably, UEH and the Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Science signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), contributing to expanding the research network and affirming the role of the UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang in connecting knowledge, technology, and sustainable marine economic development.

Prof. Kim Yong-Guk - Department of Computer Engineering, Sejong University, South Korea presenting the keynote "LLM-based 3D Scene Generation and Interaction for Immersive Experiences"

Prof. Soolyeon Cho - Director of the Building Energy Technology Laboratory, North Carolina State University, USA presenting the keynote "AI, Integrated Urban Design, and the Net-Zero City"

Experts participating in the Special Session "Blue FutureScape: Nature, Identity, and the Blue Economy in Coastal Development"

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between UEH and the Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Science

Delegates and experts posing for a group photo

In addition, the RTD 2026 Organizing Committee honored 03 outstanding research works with Best Paper awards, recognizing the significant contributions of international research teams. Specifically, the awards were presented to "Climate Finance and Biodiversity: International Evidence" by Lieu Thi Thy Nguyen, Long Hoang Nguyen, Quyen Thi Thao Tran, Vi Le Bui, and Bao Cong Nguyen To (UEH Mekong, Vietnam); "Interaction Design for Color Vision Deficiency in Intelligent Vehicle Center Consoles" by Carlos Sena Caires, Chan Kai, and Zhang Xu (University of Saint Joseph, Macau); and "Design and Performance Analysis of Antenna Substrates to Mechanical Impact for Underwater Applications" by Han-Yi Hsiao and Bor-Jiunn Wen (National Taiwan Ocean University, Taiwan). These recognized works not only affirm the quality of scientific research but also contribute to disseminating technological and design solutions for sustainable development in the global context.

Field trip to Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa

Following the in-depth discussion sessions, international delegates had the opportunity to experience a field trip to Nha Trang, a coastal city famous for its white sandy beaches and clear blue waters along the South Central Coast. The delegation visited Truong Son Craft Village, which preserves traditional handicrafts such as bamboo and rattan weaving, mat weaving, conical hat making, and ceramics, with the opportunity to directly experience these crafts alongside artisans in a rustic village setting. The delegation then visited Ponagar Tower, an ancient Cham architectural complex built between the 8th and 13th centuries, carrying profound historical and cultural value of the Cham community. The trip not only served as a survey and field research activity but also provided a valuable opportunity for international experts to experience the depth of local culture, promoting multinational cultural exchange aligned with the sustainable development spirit of RTD 2026.

Experts and scientists on the field trip to Nha Trang

View more details about RTD 2026 activities in Khanh Hoa here

RTD - A continuing journey

RTD is an international scientific conference held biennially by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) in coordination with leading universities and research institutes worldwide. From RTD 2022 on "Smart Living" in Ho Chi Minh City, to RTD 2024 on "Fostering Sustainability" in Ho Chi Minh City and Vinh Long, the conference has continuously expanded in scale, enhanced academic quality, and increased its influence with each edition, gradually affirming its position as one of the region's premier forums in the fields of technology and design.

RTD 2026 marked a new milestone in the conference's development history with a six-day series in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and Nha Trang. For the first time, a large-scale international scientific conference was simultaneously held across three strategic hubs—Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta (Vinh Long and Can Tho), and Nha Trang—creating a multi-hub model with a "Local & Global Network".

RTD 2026 was more than a traditional academic conference, gathering 10 keynote speeches and 17 special sessions presented by leading global professors and experts, focusing on the most prominent technological issues of the era. The shared content ranged from AI-integrated marine robots trained on over 6,500 underwater image pairs achieving 90.4% object recognition accuracy, to interdisciplinary Net-Zero transition strategies connecting technology, energy, and policy, as well as the ability to create and interact with 3D spaces through large language models (LLMs), opening new immersive experiences in the academic environment.

Three significant highlights converged at RTD 2026. The official launch of the Journal of Technology and Design (JTD) marked a new step in building a multidisciplinary academic forum with a bilingual Vietnamese-English publication orientation. The first CTD Summit transformed RTD from a knowledge-sharing space into a co-creation environment, where research ideas and collaborative projects were shaped directly through discussion. Meanwhile, the FutureScape Showcase offered an experiential space where technological products, digital maps, Digital Twin models, and innovation initiatives were not only introduced but also interacted with and explored through multi-sensory ArtTech activities.

Beyond the conference sessions, RTD 2026 was also marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UEH and the Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Science, along with a series of field trips in Vinh Long and Nha Trang. These activities helped bring academic knowledge beyond the conference hall, connecting more closely with local and community development practices.

All these highlights contributed to making RTD 2026 a milestone conference, affirming comprehensive breakthroughs in organizational scale, academic depth, and widespread impact, marking a step forward in building and positioning RTD's international standing.

RTD 2026 sincerely thanks and expresses gratitude to the units that sponsored, accompanied, and actively contributed to the program's success: Penguin Research and Development Services Co., Ltd. (Gold Sponsor); LV Incubation Company Limited - Ho Chi Minh City Technology and Innovation Incubation Center (ISC) (Silver Sponsor); Information Technology and Design Training Center (ATD) (Bronze Sponsor); HPT Information Technology Services Joint Stock Company (Companion Unit); United Overseas Bank Limited (Vietnam) (Companion Unit); WATA Software (Companion Unit); Leonix Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Companion Unit).

With the vision to 2030 for UEH to become a multidisciplinary university with academic reputation and sustainability in the Asian region, RTD is one of the activities demonstrating UEH's deep commitment to shaping and co-creating a sustainable future.

News, photos: RTD 2026 Organizing Committee, Department of Communications and Partnerships