On the morning of 4 June 2026, the Opening Session of the 23rd International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD 2026) was officially and ceremoniously held at the Imperial Hotel, Vung Tau City. As the host country partner, Ba Ria – Vung Tau University (BVU) is proud to collaborate with prestigious international organisations and universities in fostering impactful research initiatives that contribute practical solutions to global challenges, in line with this year’s theme:
“Creating Innovative Ideas for a Better World – Research for Tomorrow, Starting Today.”
Bringing Together Leading Global Academic Institutions
The 23rd International Conference on Sustainable Development 2026 is a major international event jointly organised by renowned educational and research institutions:
- Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA), Canada
- International Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Law (ICIRL), Canada
- Centre for Research on Social Justice and Policy (CRSJP), Laurentian University, Canada
- Ba Ria – Vung Tau University (BVU), Vietnam – Host Country Partner
The conference is led by a distinguished Co-Chairs Committee comprising outstanding scholars and educational leaders:
- Professor Henri Pallard (Canada) – Professor Emeritus of Law and Justice; Director of the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Law, Laurentian University.
- Dr Robert Taylor (USA) – Professor of Organisational and Urban Sustainability, Department of Earth and Environmental Studies; Coordinator of the MSc in Sustainability Leadership Programme; Member of the Doctoral Supervisory Committee in Environmental Management, Montclair State University, New Jersey.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyen Ba Hoang (Vietnam) – President of Ba Ria – Vung Tau University (BVU).
- Dr Neville Hewage (Canada) – Programme Director, Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).
A particularly significant benefit for participating researchers is the opportunity to enhance their academic profile. Research papers successfully presented at the conference and recognised for their impact and practical applicability will be considered for publication in the OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, a prestigious journal indexed in both SCOPUS and DOAJ.
Dynamic Opening Session: 5 Strategic Themes and 20 Specialised Research Papers
Under the professional moderation of Dr Steven Cheah, the opening session featured engaging academic presentations and scholarly discussions from researchers across Vietnam and around the world, covering five key thematic areas.
THEME 1: ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (8 PAPERS)
The challenges of climate change and digital transformation in environmental management were addressed through a series of innovative studies:
- High-Speed Urban Microclimate Heat Mapping and Cooling Strategies for Coastal Tourism and Public Health: An Urban Planning Case Study
Authors: Robert Taylor, Nguyen Ba Hoang - Artificial Intelligence in Addressing Sustainable Development Challenges: A Practitioner-Oriented Model
Authors: Robert Taylor, Sushant Kumar Singh (CAIES Foundation, Patna, Bihar, India) - The Ogoni Communication: A Defining Contribution to the Interpretation of Human Rights in Africa
Author: Willem Daniel Lubbe (North-West University, South Africa) - Spatial Analysis of Housing Inequality and Multi-Hazard Recovery Planning in the Chennai Metropolitan Region, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Adinarayanane Ramamurthy, Thaneesha Nagalakshmi K.B., Faiz Ahmed Chundeli - Building a Sustainable Workforce: Integrating Digital Skills into Intercultural Language Curricula to Meet the Economic Needs of Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province
Authors: Lam Ngoc Truc Ngoc, Vo Trang Kim Thuy (BVU) - Carbon Market Regulation and Corporate Capital Structure: Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Tran Ngo Hieu Thao, Le Long Phi, Nguyen Khoa Dang Duc, Bui Vy Tuong Tran, Bui Giao Quynh (Foreign Trade University – Ho Chi Minh City Campus) - Feng Shui in Sustainable Land-Use Planning
Author: Tran Hong Quang (Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment) - Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Urban Carbon Emissions and Scenario-Based Land Use Modelling in Kozhikode City, Kerala, India
Authors: Adinarayanane Ramamurthy, Muhsin MC, Faiz Ahmed Chundeli
THEME 2: DEVELOPMENT (4 PAPERS)
This theme focused on forecasting and optimising economic infrastructure, including studies directly relevant to the development of Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province:
- The Impact of Geopolitical Risk, Economic Complexity, and Good Governance on the Environment Across Countries with Different Income Levels
Authors: Yadollah Dadgar, Rohollah Nazari, Fatemeh Fahimifar (Iran) - Forecasting the Regional Economic Impact of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway
Authors: Nguyen Ba Hoang (BVU), Nguyen Minh Duc (University of Transport Ho Chi Minh City) - Cluster-Oriented Machine Learning for Predicting Wastewater Treatment Operational Status Using Online Sensor Data
Authors: Nguyen Quang Thanh, Nguyen Ba Hoang (BVU) - Factors Influencing the Adoption of Green Accounting in Restaurant Businesses in Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province
Authors: Nguyen Thi Duc Loan, Than Huy Quang, Pham Hai Long (BVU)
THEME 3: ECONOMICS (4 PAPERS)
Exploring the intersection of international law, green consumer behaviour, and workforce productivity in the digital era:
- The Role of International Legal Principles in Advancing Shared Success within the Sustainable Development Agenda
Author: Michelle Barnard (North-West University, South Africa) - Developing Mechanisms for Identifying and Reactivating Vacant Housing to Improve Housing Resource Allocation Efficiency in Vietnam under the Two-Tier Administrative Reform Context
Author: Tran Hong Quang (HCMUNRE) - Beyond Adaptation: The Direct Impact of Behavioural Beliefs and Innovation Alignment on Continued Electric Mobility Usage Intentions – Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Le Huynh, Vu Hai Nam, Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong (BVU) - Unpacking the Link Between Digital Disruption and Productivity: A Bibliometric Review of Social Media Addiction, Cyberloafing, and Employee Performance
Authors: Nguyen Ba Duy Anh, Vu Hai Nam (Foreign Trade University & BVU)
THEME 4: GOVERNANCE (3 PAPERS)
Focusing on socio-economic policy perspectives and maritime diplomacy:
- The Role of International Legal Principles in Advancing Shared Success within the Sustainable Development Agenda
Author: Michelle Barnard (North-West University, South Africa) - Developing Mechanisms for Identifying and Reactivating Vacant Housing to Improve Housing Resource Allocation Efficiency in Vietnam under the Two-Tier Administrative Reform Context
Author: Tran Hong Quang (HCMUNRE) - How India’s Act East Policy Promotes Maritime Diplomacy: From Policy Declaration to Practical Implementation
Authors: Vo Minh Hung, Nguyen Thi Oanh, Nguyen Pham Thuy (BVU; Institute for European and American Studies; ISAWAAS, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences)
THEME 5: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
Addressing emerging technology trends through timely research on Generative AI:
- The Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Employees’ Green Happiness Index: The Mediating Role of Employee Engagement in Vietnamese Enterprises
Authors: Nguyen Thu Thi Anh, Nguyen Anh Thi Phuong, Tran Ghi Nha (BVU & Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City)
Reinforcing BVU’s International Reputation and Academic Standing
Hosting a global event such as ICSD 2026 not only demonstrates BVU’s capability in organising international academic conferences but also highlights the University’s growing scholarly reputation within the global higher education community.
The practical and impactful research contributions presented by BVU faculty members serve as strong evidence of the University’s commitment to linking academic excellence with the sustainable development needs of local communities and the nation.
The first day of the conference concluded successfully at the Imperial Hotel, Vung Tau, leaving a lasting impression on participants.
On 5 June 2026, ICSD 2026 will continue with its second day of activities, featuring specialised parallel sessions at Campus 2 of Ba Ria – Vung Tau University.
The latest news and updates from the conference will continue to be shared by BVU in the coming days.
