From March 23 to April 2, 2025, a delegation from the Chair of Agricultural Production and Resource Economics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) conducted a fact-finding outreach mission across Vietnam. Led by Professor Johannes Sauer and Researcher Associate Pietro Sala, the visit marked a significant step forward in deepening academic cooperation and exploring joint research opportunities in the field of sustainable agriculture and resource economics.
This second mission to Vietnam built on the momentum of last year’s successful visit and focused on both strengthening ties with existing partners and expanding our academic network across the country.
A Nationwide Engagement
Over the course of ten days, the TUM delegation engaged in fruitful discussions with five leading institutions:
- Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) – Southern Vietnam
- Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry (HUAF) – Central Vietnam
- Can Tho University (CTU) – Southern Vietnam, Mekong Delta
- Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) – Hanoi, Northern Vietnam
- Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) – Hanoi, Northern Vietnam
These meetings provided a valuable platform to discuss potential collaborations in research, teaching, and academic exchange. With VNUA, our long-standing partner, we continued to explore ongoing research synergies, while exciting new connections were forged with VNU-HCMC, HUAF, CTU, and ACIAR.
Insights from the Field
Beyond institutional meetings, the mission also included two field visits arranged by HUAF and CTU. These on-the-ground experiences offered firsthand insights into the realities of Vietnamese agriculture—from smallholder practices to innovative approaches in water and resource management—helping contextualize our research priorities within local farming systems.
Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building
The TUM team also had the opportunity to contribute to academic life at Can Tho University, delivering a guest lecture to a highly engaged audience of students and faculty. This exchange of knowledge not only fostered academic dialogue but also set the stage for future teaching and training collaborations.
Looking Ahead
All discussions during the mission were marked by a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and impact. Promising avenues for future cooperation include:
- Sustainable agricultural productivity
- Water and natural resource management
- Production efficiency and economics
- Digital innovation in agriculture
- Academic exchange and joint teaching initiatives
We are excited about the potential to launch impactful collaborations with our Vietnamese colleagues and look forward to shaping the next chapter of international engagement from the Chair of Agricultural Production and Resource Economics at TUM.
Stay tuned as we continue to build bridges in global agricultural research and education