Southeast Asia
Collaboration between PuR and Vietnam was first established in 2024 with the aim of fostering research partnerships and enhancing capacity building in sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation.
In May 2024, a delegation from the PuR Chair conducted a fact-finding mission in Vietnam, visiting key research institutions and agricultural sites in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The team engaged with universities, research institutes, and farming cooperatives to explore potential synergies in agricultural sustainability and innovation. The mission also included a visit to a high-tech agricultural park dedicated to advancing efficient and climate-resilient farming practices.
The visit resulted in the establishment of promising collaborations, with Vietnamese partners expressing strong interest in joint research initiatives. Moving forward, PuR will work closely with these institutions to develop a structured action plan that translates these initial discussions into concrete research projects.
Vietnam is a major global producer of commodities such as rubber, coffee, rice, pepper, shrimp, and various fruits. However, the country faces significant challenges due to climate change, which threatens agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Strengthening local capacities in climate mitigation, adaptation strategies, and disaster risk reduction is therefore crucial. PuR, with its expertise in these areas, aims to support Vietnamese institutions and policymakers in addressing these pressing challenges.
PuR extends its gratitude to all colleagues for their hospitality and valuable discussions during the visit, particularly to the Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City – Faculty of Environmental Management, UEH University, Vietnam National University – University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University of Agriculture – Faculty of Economics and Rural Development, as well as representatives from Water and Energy for Food, the Vietnam Higher Education Network of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the Institute for Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development.
PuR Chair delegation completes a fact-finding mission for research collaboration in Vietnam (24.5–2.6)
A delegation of researchers traveled to Vietnam during the last week of May to establish first contacts with local institutions in the context of a fact-finding mission focused on collaborations in research and capacity building. The party, led by Pietro Sala, met with several universities and research institutes in both Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi. During the visit, PuR delegates also had the chance to visit local farming cooperatives, as well as a high-tech agricultural park, which supports the development of more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.
The outcome of the mission exceeded expectations. The delegation was able to establish several very promising contacts, with the identification of fundamental synergies and a very clear preliminary research agenda. Additionally, all Vietnamese partners expressed their availability and interest for the collaboration. Next, PuR will follow up with the interested parties to further develop the details of the collaboration and translate them into a practical action plan.
Why Vietnam:
Vietnam is located on the eastern portion on Southeast Asia, and it is a relevant global producer of rubber, coffee, rice, pepper, shrimps, and several fruit crops. Due to its position, the country is particularly exposed to the environmental impacts of climate change, which could have serious socio-economic repercussions on the country. It is therefore necessary to strengthen the local capacities in term of mitigation and adaptation to such changes, as well as to develop disaster risk reduction plans, from a scientific perspective. PuR, through its strong expertise in the field, could support local authorities facing such challenging endeavors.
We wish to thank all colleagues for the warm welcome received, as well as for the very interesting and productive discussions that were held during the visit. In particular, the Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City – Faculty of Environmental Management, UEH University, Vietnam National University – University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University of Agriculture – Faculty of Economics and Rural Development, the representatives for Water and Energy for Food, those for Vietnam Higher Education Network of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the Institute for Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Strengthening Ties and Exploring New Horizons: TUM Delegation Completes Successful Outreach Mission in Vietnam🌾
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