Using waste ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) shoe soles and vulcanized rubber—materials traditionally considered difficult to recycle—a research team from the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology has successfully developed a fully recycled composite material, creating potential new applications in green manufacturing and sustainable industrial production. The study not only contributes to addressing industrial waste challenges but also highlights Vietnam’s growing research and innovation capacity in sustainable materials and the circular economy.

The research project entitled “Development of a suitability map for Arabica coffee cultivation on sloping land in Dien Bien province using remote sensing data, GIS technology, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)” conducted by Dinh Xuan Hung, Bui Tuan Hai, and Nguyen Ngoc Sang of the Institute of Water Resources Planning represents a scientifically and practically significant study in the context of ongoing agricultural restructuring toward sustainable production systems that are better adapted to natural conditions and capable of utilizing land resources more efficiently in Viet Nam’s Northern midlands and mountainous region.

Intensive shrimp farming generates substantial economic benefits but also exerts increasing pressure on aquatic environments, particularly through wastewater rich in organic matter and toxic byproducts generated during farming operations. In the context where many shrimp farms still lack appropriate wastewater treatment systems, a research team from Can Tho University and Toan Viet Technological Environment Company Limited conducted an experimental study to assess the potential use of fishing nets—a readily available, low-cost material—as a filter material for biological treatment of wastewater from intensive shrimp ponds.

As floods become increasingly complex and extreme in Viet Nam’s North Central region, the demand for an early warning system that is reliable, fast to operate, and suitable for local-level application has become more urgent than ever. A research team from the Vietnam Academy for Water Resources—including Nguyen Thanh Hung, Vu Dinh Cuong, Trieu Quang Quan, and Nguyen Anh Hung—has developed an integrated technological solution that combines flood and inundation forecasting with modern communication tools. The study aims not only to enhance forecasting capacity but also to ensure that warning information reaches the right people at the right time under emergency flood conditions.

The use of pesticides is an integral part of modern intensive agriculture. Alongside their effectiveness in controlling pests and diseases, however, comes the risk of environmental pollution from wastewater generated during the production, formulation, and application of chemical active ingredients. Of particular concern is the fact that many pesticide compounds are poorly biodegradable, persistent in the environment, and prone to bioaccumulation, posing major challenges for wastewater treatment.

Steep terrain, concentrated heavy rainfall, and the increasingly evident impacts of climate change are placing Son La province’s land resources under growing pressure from soil erosion. By applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), a research team comprising Tran Xuan Bien, Nguyen Van Huong, Luu Thuy Duong, and Tran Xuan Mien from the Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment and the Hanoi University of Mining and Geology has conducted a comprehensive study to assess the extent, severity, and spatial distribution of rainfall-induced soil erosion across the province. The findings offer an important scientific basis for land resource management and the formulation of sustainable development solutions in Son La.

As demand for construction materials continues to rise while conventional natural resources are gradually depleted, the search for sustainable, environmentally friendly production solutions has become increasingly urgent. Two scientific studies conducted by Dr. Pham Van Chung of Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment have identified a promising new pathway: the use of hillside soil, coal ash, and industrial by-products as raw materials for tunnel-kiln brick production within a circular economy framework.

Cinnamomum parthenoxylon, an endangered tree species of the Lauraceae family, is facing rapid habitat contraction under the combined pressures of climate change and forest degradation in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. A research team consisting of Pham Mai Phuong, Nguyen Thi Thu Nga, Nguyen Quoc Khanh, Nguyen Duy Liem, and Vu Dinh Duy employed the cloud-based Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and the MaxEnt algorithm to develop habitat suitability maps for both current and projected future climates. This study marks the first application of a multi-scenario climate projection framework to assess the species’ adaptive potential toward the end of the 21st century. The findings provide an important scientific basis for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable planning of C. parthenoxylon in key provinces such as Lam Dong and Dak Nong (now part of the newly established Lam Dong Pprovince).

Amid accelerating climate change and shrinking water resources that are reshaping global food security, a new study by Trinh Phuong Ngoc, Nguyen Thu Thu Huong, Nguyen Tien Dat, and Dinh Quang Hung from Tan Trao University and the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (Hanoi University of Science and Technology) provides the first systematic quantification of the water footprint of cassava production in Vietnam. The findings reveal stark regional disparities—some areas rely on thousands of cubic meters of supplemental irrigation to maintain yields, while others require almost no irrigation at all thanks to abundant rainfall and natural water availability. These results underscore an urgent need to restructure cassava-growing regions and promote more sustainable water use in agriculture.

Climate change, particularly the growing incidence of prolonged drought, continues to place significant pressure on rice production, a staple food in Vietnam. Leveraging drought-tolerant local rice genetic resources has therefore become a critical strategy for climate adaptation. In this context, a research team led by Pham Hung Cuong, Dam Thi Thu Ha, and Hoang Thi Hue at the Plant Resources Center, Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, conducted a comprehensive genetic diversity analysis of 50 local rice accessions to identify promising drought-tolerant germplasm for future breeding efforts.

Climate change is one of the most urgent global issues, and Vietnam is among the countries most vulnerable to its impacts. Extreme climate events, such as tropical cyclones, flooding, saltwater intrusion, and sea-level rise, pose direct threats to coastal lowlands, affecting livelihoods, economic development, and national security. Identifying effective solutions to respond to climate change is therefore essential. Among the breakthrough technologies expected to play a decisive role is artificial intelligence (AI).

As Vietnam’s seafood processing sector advances toward sustainable development, the need to utilize by-products—often accounting for 60–70% of raw fish weight—has become more urgent than ever. A substantial share of these materials, especially from imported salmon, is still treated as waste, despite being rich in protein, amino acids, and essential minerals.

At the conference “Promoting breakthroughs in scientific research, technology, and innovation linked to training in institutes and universities” on November 14, Minister Tran Duc Thang affirmed that science, technology, and innovation are becoming the key drivers of development in Vietnam’s agriculture and environment sector.

In response to the severe shortage of clean water following annual floods, a research team led by Do Sinh Cung and Do Khac Uan from the School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, has developed an innovative low-energy membrane filtration system. Operating entirely without electricity, the system enables residents in disaster-prone areas to access safe, hygienic water even under the most challenging conditions.

In line with the global shift toward green and sustainable agriculture, the use of renewable energy in production has become essential for reducing emissions and protecting ecosystems. A research team including Nguyen Van Giap, Bui Duy Ngoc, Nguyen Trong Tuan, Cao Chi Cong, Le Thi Hung, To Quoc Huy, Nguyen Van Minh, and Pham Dinh Manh from the Forest Industry Research Institute, Vietnam Academy of Forest Sciences and Thanh Do University, has successfully developed an intelligent control and solar charging system for a phototactic device designed to control insect pests in agricultural and forestry crops.

As Vietnam’s agriculture rapidly transforms toward high technology, a group of young researchers from the University of Agriculture and Forestry, Ho Chi Minh City, has developed an automatic black garlic fermenter with a capacity of 10 kilograms per batch. Entirely designed and fabricated domestically, the device allows remote monitoring and control via smartphone, marking a new step forward in smart agri-processing and showcasing the creativity and technological independence of Vietnamese engineers: Ho Van Dung, Khuong Anh Son, Pham Viet Hung, Vo Cong Anh, Le Thi Kim Anh, Nguyen Thanh Cuong, and Tran Khang.

Throughout human history, energy has been the driving force behind progress and civilization. Yet in the 21st century, it has also become one of humanity’s greatest challenges, as the planet warms, the climate grows more erratic, and fossil fuels near exhaustion.