UEH organizing the National Conference on "Technologies for Sustainable Supply Chain in Tourism" at Vinh Long Campus

In 2 days, from June 29, 2023 to June 30, 2023, University of Economics  Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) successfully organized the National Conference and Exhibition on "Technologies for Sustainable Supply Chain in Tourism" at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City in Vinh Long Province. The conference attracted approximately 300 participants and 30 booths exhibiting technology products, tourism products and agricultural products at the Cooperatives connected with the development of Delta ecotourism.

Attending the conference, on behalf of the invited delegates, were Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung - Standing Member, Head of Economic Department of Vinh Long Provincial People’s Council; Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hoanh - Deputy Director of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Long Province; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong - Deputy Director of Vinh Long Department of Science and Technology and managers, lecturers and professionals from Units, Colleges and Universities in and outside the Province: Pham Hung School of Politics; Nam Can Tho University; Mien Tay Construction University; Cuu Long University; Can Tho University of Technology, Tay Do University; Dong Thap University; Tra Vinh University; Tien Giang University; Soc Trang Community College; Dong Thap Community College; Can Tho Tourism College; Soc Trang Vocational College, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City; Nha Trang Tourism College together with leaders of Departments, Agencies, business associations, tourism promotion information centers in the Mekong Delta and businesses.

On behalf of UEH leadership, there was the attendance of Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of UEH and Director of Vinh Long Campus (VLC); Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Vice President of UEH; Assoc. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairwoman of Strategy and Policy Advisory Council cum Director of UEH Institute of Innovation; Dr. Dinh Thi Thu Hong - Vice Head of UEH College of Business; Dr. Thai Kim Phung - Vice Head of UEH College of Technology and Design; Dr. Nguyen Duc Tri - Dean of Schoolof Tourism, UEH College of Business; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Truong Thinh - Director of the Institute of Intelligent and Interactive Technology; along with the Board of Directors and leaders of UEH Units, lecturers and students of UEH Vinh Long Campus.

Overview of the Conference

The National Conference organized by UEH was meticulously prepared by UEH-affiliated Units (UEH School of Tourism -  College of Business in collaboration with Vinh Long Campus) and achieved the set goals with the program including Sightseeing tour moving by boat along river routes around tourist attractions in Vinh Long “Dreamy Red Kingdom” with nearly 50 participants (June 29) and Opening session with 4 parallel discussion sessions (June 30). Specifically as follows:

• The opening session was chaired by Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of UEH and Director of VLC and Dr. Nguyen Duc Tri - Dean of School of Tourism, UEH College of Business. Participants watched a video with the theme “UEH - Accompanying tourism development prospects in Vinh Long and Mekong Delta” and an introduction video about Vietnam’s technology and tourism 2023-2024, to better understand Vietnam’s tourism industry. Trends in tourism technology in Vietnam, along with a short presentation on "Overview of the applications of technologies for sustainable supply chain in tourism" were presented by Dr. Nguyen Duc Tri from the School of Tourism.
• Discussion Session A with the topic: Security & Sustainability. Discuss security issues and sustainable tourism development. Chairmen of the discussion: Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Vice President of UEH, Dr. Nguyen Duc Tri - Dean of School of Tourism, UEH COB.
• Discussion Session B with the topic: Fintech and AI. Discuss the applications of technological advances and AI in the tourism industry. Chairmen of the discussion session: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Truong Thinh and Dr. Tran Tam Anh.
• Discussion Session C with the topic: New business models. Discuss new tourism industry models and platforms. Chairwomen of the discussion session: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet and MSc. Le Phuong Giao Linh.
• And at Session D with the story “Thematic implementation and case study”, a place for students to exchange and discuss with businesses, with the participation of Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Sang - Owner of Mekong Riverside Homestay business.

The conference organizers received 48 papers from scholars, researchers, policymakers, and lecturers from universities and colleges across the country. The conference was also honored to receive the sponsorship of Tuyet Nhung Chipas Bakery & Coffee, Chipas Bakery & Bartending Vocational Training Center, Ma Hai Bread Joint Stock Company, Asean Education Development Program Co., Ltd and Somofarm Vinh Long Joint Stock Company.

Addressing the conference, Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City - stated: “In accordance with the social responsibility of a key national University, UEH has provided training programs of international standards to train high-quality human resources for the whole country in general, and the Mekong Delta in particular. Along with the training mission, UEH carries out and transfers projects, research topics, seminars and talks held regularly to collect opinions from leading experts in the field to propose solutions and strategies for local and national development. Vietnam’s tourism development strategy for 2030 emphasizes the sustainable development of tourism, truly becoming a spearhead economic sector, creating a driving force to promote other industries and fields to develop, contributing to the formation of a modern economic structure. Sustainable tourism supply chains play an important role in ensuring development in accordance with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and always prioritize environmental protection first. Technology has significantly contributed to improving the efficiency and reliability of the supply chain, allowing information and data management and direct interaction with stakeholders including Information and data management, enhanced interaction and communication, resources management, and performance optimization. Vietnam has a lot of potential for tourism development with diverse beautiful, rich and diverse natural landscapes attracting tourists throughout the country. In particular, the Mekong Delta, a peaceful and beautiful land, is extremely attractive to tourists when we know how to connect and exploit the available advantages that nature offers. The national conference with the main theme: “Technologies for Sustainable Supply Chain in Tourism” held at UEH - Vinh Long Campus provided an open discussion forum for scholars, researchers and experts, bringing meaningful contributions to the tourism sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in general and Vinh Long Province in particular, looking forward to receiving many expert opinions and results and connecting technology in promoting sustainable tourism.”

Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City - addressing at the opening of the conference

After the opening of the conference, the plenary session was presented by Dr. Nguyen Duc Tri - Dean of Schhol of Tourism, titled “Overview of the application of technologies for sustainable supply chains in tourism”. The discussion mentioned that the chatbot channel using artificial intelligence will help answer tourism and tourism-technology issues across the country, the sustainable tourism supply chain helps reduce the impact on the environment and helps strengthen the local economy. Additionally, technology is a solution to help identify a close and highly effective combination between the participants in the sustainable tourism supply chain.

Dr. Nguyen Duc Tri - Dean of the School of Tourism, UEH College of Business - presenting

Plenary sessions at the Conference

After the plenary session, 4 parallel sessions took place with current topics of the application of technology to develop sustainable tourism supply chains in the Mekong Delta. Session A with the “Cybersecurity and Sustainable Distribution” Theme. The important presentations were: "Cyberattack vulnerabilities in the hotel sector" by Dr. Nguyen Duc Tri - Dean of School of Tourism - UEH College of Business; Thesis on “Robots & Automation” by MSc. Nguyen Hong Ngoc - Lecturer at School of Tourism - UEH College of Business.

Overview of Session A

Session B discussed “Financial technology & artificial intelligence”, including: “AI chatbot for hotels” by Dr. Nguyen Huu Huan - Head of Department of Financial Market, School of Banking - UEH College of Business; “B2B Digital Payments for Travel & Hospitality Businesses” by Ms. Sophia Nguyen Nha Ngoc - Business developer of Payoneer Vietnam.

Overview of Session B

Session C with the content “New model of exchange”. the presentations included: “New tour booking platform & online group booking” by Mr. Dong Hoang Thinh - CEO of Enet; “Revenue Management & Hotel Digital Sales” by Peter Nguyen Duc - CEO of Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa; Presentation on “Channel Management” by Jimmy Hoang Nguyen - Business Development Director of SiteMinder Company.

Overview of Session C

Session D with the content “Thematic implementation and case study” includes: “Presentation of businesses” by Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Sang - Owner of Mekong Riverside Homestay; “Discussing and Proposing Business Solutions” by a student group from School of Tourism - UEH College of Business.

Overview of Session D

Previously, on June 29, 2023, the guests were invited to join the River Tour from Vinh Long Tourist departing from Vinh Long Port. The guests registered to visit and to discover the honey production process, to visit a fruit garden of rambutan and longan, and a handicraft village in Vinh Long. The guests also participated in manual activities listed as making nuggets, rice paper, confectionery, handicrafts, and traditional pottery kilns in Vinh Long.

The conference with the theme “Technologies for Sustainable Supply Chain in Tourism” officially ended. The Conference’s success is a good beginning for the next interesting and practical topics of the school. The Organizing Committee of the Conference sincerely thanks the agencies, leaders of the Departments, Branches, Colleges, Universities, Scientists, and Businesses inside and outside Vinh Long Province of the Mekong Delta for their valuable time to attend and to contribute to the conference. UEH wishes to continue to accompany the delegates in the upcoming topics with the goal of sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.

Additional photos related to the conference:

A group of guests joining the river tour "Dreamy Red Kingdom"

The delegation visiting brick and ceramic factories in Mang Thit District; beekeeping for pure honey, fruit garden, production facility of nuggets - coconut candy and Coco Home in An Binh commune, Long Ho, Vinh Long

After the conference, the School of Tourism - UEH College of Business presenting a gift of 1 sup boat to the Department of Tourism, School of Management, UEH Vinh Long Campus.

The organizers presenting flowers to thank the sponsors of the Conference

Exhibition booths at the conference:

News, photos: School of Tourism (UEH), UEH Vinh Long Campus (School of Management, Department of Admissions and Communication)