On the morning of June 7, 2024, Center for Rural Development - Saemaul Undong coordinated with U&I Agriculture Joint Stock Company (Unifarm) to organize a program to visit and evaluate a pilot model of high-tech agricultural tourism with circular solutions in Phu Giao district, Binh Duong province.

On May 11, 2024, Dr. Tran Dinh Lam, Director of the International Cooperation Program at the Center for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies, had the opportunity to visit the Ohito organic farm in Izunokuni City, Japan. Joining him on the trip was Professor Hitokoto Noriyuki from Tokyo Joho University.

On May 9, 2024, Dr. Tran Dinh Lam had a discussion with Professor Kamoshita Akihiko at the Asian Resource and Environmental Sciences Research Center, part of the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo. Professor Ikemoto Yukio from the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo, also attended the seminar.

On May 8 2024, Dr. Tran Dinh Lam visited and exchanged ideas with Mr. Tatsuya Uchida, director of IKASU – Caretaker of the Earth, along with Professor Tomy Ogata from Chuo University. The company follows a sustainable, environmentally-friendly model specializing in the production of organic vegetables and fruits using a circular, organic cycle. The model is certified by Japan Agricultural Standards (JAS).

On May 6 and 7, Dr. Tran Dinh Lam, Director of the International Cooperation Program, held discussions on sustainable development through the circular economy and ecological agriculture with Mr. Sawamura, Director of Higo Ayumi Company, and Ms. Himeno Yuko, President of the Natural Agriculture Association of Japan, in Kumamoto City.

After conducting research on the impact of climate change on farmers' livelihoods and agricultural land use in Hau Giang province, with the goal of facilitating connections between pineapple growing cooperatives and buyers, Dr. Tran Dinh Lam, Director of the International Cooperation Program – Center for Vietnam and Southeast Asia Studies, and Mr. Daisuke Kurokawa, Export Department, visited Hoa Tien commune and Tan Tien commune in Vi Thanh district on March 13, 2024.

On February 29 and March 01, 2024, Dr. Tran Dinh Lam - Director of International Cooperation Program at the Center for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies, attended a workshop at Farm Manh Duong in Krong Ana district, Dak Lak Province. The workshop was organized by Nico Nico Yasai, with Mr. Mimoru Shiokawa as the director.

From September 19th to September 23rd, within the implementation of the research program on socio-cultural life of ethnic minority living in the border areas between Vietnam and China, Center for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies (CVSEAS), University of Social Sciences and Humanities Ho Chi Minh City, in cooperation with Waseda University (Japan) has conducted field research in Lao Cai Province

On August 26th, Dr. Tran Dinh Lam - Director of Center for Vietnam and Southeast Asia Studies - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City joined the roundtable discussion hosted by Mr Ernesto Braam - Regional Strategic Advisor of the Netherlands Embassy in Singapore. Other participants of the webinar were experts in Information Technology (IT) and digital economy.

Illegal credits, often known as “black credit”, have been an enduring social issue, resulting in serious consequences both in life safety and social security. Not only does loan-sharking harm citizens but also damages Vietnam banks’ financial system. The current situation has called for effective and practical research studies to pinpoint causes and completely solve the problem.