On the afternoon of July 3, 2025, the annual Sustainable Smart Manufacturing Forum (SSMFORUM 2025) successfully took place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), attracting nearly 400 domestic and international enterprises from 11 countries. The event served as a strategic dialogue platform aimed at accelerating the transformation towards smart, sustainable, and inclusive manufacturing.
As a Co-Chair of the Forum, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE) reaffirmed its pioneering role in the university–enterprise–government linkage, promoting technology transfer and applied research for sustainable smart manufacturing transformation.
HCMUTE faculty representatives at the Forum
HCMUTE presenting appreciation letters to participating delegates
In the opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of HCMUTE, representing the Chair of the SSMFORUM 2025 Annual Meeting, emphasized:
“As one of five key national universities in the fields of technology and engineering, HCMUTE constantly innovates its training programs to align with the practical needs of enterprises, especially in today’s era of digital transformation and green development. For the University, a university is not only a place for training but also a hub for innovation, connecting knowledge – technology – enterprises, contributing to building a knowledge- and science-based sustainable manufacturing system.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of HCMUTE giving a speech at the event
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Khanh – CEO of the Vietnam Industrial Zone Portal speaking at the event
In the thematic presentation session, Mr. Le Tan Cuong – Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Technology Transfer (HCMUTE), delivered a presentation titled:
“University Research Supporting the Sustainable Smart Manufacturing Transformation of Vietnamese Enterprises”, highlighting:
HCMUTE’s innovation ecosystem, including the MakerSpace and the over 3,000 m² Silicon Valley UTE complex dedicated to research, incubation, and technology showcasing.
Technology transfer policies such as: converting scientific research hours into contract value, prioritizing investment in research groups based on societal needs with annual funding of up to 1 billion VND.
Mr. Le Tan Cuong – Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Technology Transfer – presenting at the event
Notable outcomes included:
A real-time production monitoring system using IoT at the APM factory in Binh Duong.
A high-load smart agricultural drone designed to support modern farming.
IoT-based air environment monitoring systems, AI facial recognition, smart-controlled robots, and other AIoT industrial solutions.
Other speakers presented various topics related to the smart and sustainable manufacturing transition in Vietnam. Key themes included: strategic orientation for smart manufacturing, analysis of opportunities and challenges for businesses, models of next-generation integrated industrial zones, digital transformation roadmaps for traditional factories, university-based research and technology transfer solutions, and smart-sustainable agriculture transformation. These presentations offered a comprehensive and practical view to support innovation and sustainability in manufacturing.
Presentations by other speakers at the event
During the panel discussion on “Transforming Towards Sustainable Smart Manufacturing in the New Era”, HCMUTE continued to demonstrate its leadership through insightful sharing by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh. The discussion also included representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vinh Loc, Becamex, and Hoa Phu Industrial Zones, as well as media organizations. The discussion highlighted that human resources and innovation infrastructure are the key to successful transformation.
Panel discussion on "Transforming Towards Sustainable Smart Manufacturing in the New Era"
SSMFORUM 2025 also stood out with the participation of major global manufacturers such as Amada (Japan), Trumpf (Germany), Salvagnini (Italy), and Blum (UK), reflecting the forum’s global appeal and international vision. This presence signals strong international confidence in Vietnam’s transformation capabilities, with strategic support from universities like HCMUTE.
In the closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh concluded the forum by affirming:
“As the global industrial landscape undergoes drastic restructuring, universities play an increasingly vital role in accompanying businesses, offering knowledge, technological solutions, and high-quality human resources.”
Representatives from the organizing committee, delegates, and HCMUTE at the exhibition booth
HCMUTE is committed to continuously investing in innovation, expanding partnerships with both domestic and international enterprises, and commercializing research products to enhance its contributions to society and the knowledge economy.
HCMUTE’s product exhibition booth at the event
The Sustainable Smart Manufacturing Forum (SSMFORUM) is a premier event convening global leaders in advanced manufacturing, initiated and led by Vietnam. SSMFORUM 2025 was co-organized by Informa Market Vietnam and the Vietnam Industrial Zone Portal (VIZ), in collaboration with HCMUTE and the Ho Chi Minh City Industrial Park Enterprises Association (HBA). This year’s theme was “Transforming Towards Sustainable Smart Manufacturing in the New Era”. The forum serves as a strategic dialogue platform and action-oriented cooperation initiative, aiming to rapidly and effectively promote smart and sustainable manufacturing transformation in Vietnam and globally.
SSMFORUM closely collaborates with global manufacturers, pioneering production enterprises, ministries and policy-makers, technology and automation companies, environmental research organizations, universities and training institutions, international sustainable development organizations, green finance institutions, and leading experts and scientists.