On the morning of 5 March 2026, at Foreign Trade University, the thematic seminar “Transforming Eco-Industrial Parks and Promoting the Circular Economy in the Context of International Economic Integration” was held as part of the International Investment course taught by Dr. Cao Thi Hong Vinh, with the participation of students from the School of International Economics and Business.

The keynote speaker of the program was Dr. Nguyen Tram Anh, UNIDO National Project Manager of the project “Scaling Up the Eco-Industrial Park Approaches to Promote Circular Economy in Viet Nam.” The project is funded by the Swiss Government (SECO) and implemented by the Ministry of Finance in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

During the seminar, Dr. Nguyen Tram Anh presented an overview of the Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) model, global development trends, and the direction for its implementation in Viet Nam. The presentation also introduced the development roadmap of the EIP initiative in Viet Nam from 2014 to the present, highlighting initial achievements in building the policy framework and supporting industrial parks in transitioning toward more resource-efficient production, emissions reduction, and industrial symbiosis.

Through international case studies and practical experiences from project implementation in Viet Nam, the seminar helped students gain a deeper understanding of the role of eco-industrial parks in attracting sustainable investment, promoting circular economy practices, and strengthening the competitiveness of Viet Nam’s industrial sector in the context of global integration.

The discussion session was lively, focusing on key topics such as the role of eco-industrial parks in investment attraction, industrial symbiosis, and solutions to prevent greenwashing.

The practical insights shared by the speaker not only helped students better understand sustainable development and circular economy strategies but also effectively connected the theoretical knowledge of the International Investment course with the ongoing “twin transition” (digital and green) taking place in Viet Nam’s industrial parks today.

The activity also contributed to strengthening collaboration between UNIDO and academic institutions while spreading knowledge about eco-industrial parks, sustainable industrial development, and green transition to Vietnamese Youth.