On the morning of November 14, the Faculty of Physics – Engineering Physics officially opened the Workshop on Marine Science and Sustainable Development, a special event held in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Oceanography Program under the Department of Oceanography, Meteorology, and Hydrology. The opening session took place in an energetic atmosphere, with the participation of numerous scientists, international experts, and young researchers who gathered to share scientific perspectives on the oceans.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Lê Quan – President of the University – conveyed a meaningful message: “This workshop serves as a bridge connecting brilliant minds, inspiring scientific inquiry, and strengthening our collective commitment to protecting the oceans – the green heart of our planet.”
During his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Lê Quan expressed his honor in welcoming scientists, experts, and young researchers to this significant academic forum. He emphasized the important role of the workshop: “Today’s event brings together researchers, experts, and young scientists to share the latest discoveries and innovative ideas toward a sustainable future for our oceans. This collaboration not only advances marine science but also reinforces global connections in addressing shared challenges such as climate change, marine pollution, and sustainable coastal management.”
The workshop welcomed the participation of many scientists, international experts, and young researchers.
The Workshop on Marine Science and Sustainable Development featured 16 presentations divided into three in-depth thematic sessions:
Session 1: Marine Science and Sustainable Development
- Sailing through science: The 20-year journey of OMH@HCMUS – Vo Luong Hong Phuoc
- From Taiwan to Vietnam: Advancing coastal monitoring with indigenous HF radar development – Hwa Chien
- Global trends in oceanic fronts: Implications for marine ecosystems – Andrew Fischer, Kai Yang, Phuc T.D. Le
- No data, no story: High-precision measurements in marine chemistry (DMS as example) survive and advance in any environment – Sohiko Kameyama
- Machine learning applications: Classification and regression – Quoc Pham
Session 2: Microplastics – From Research to Prediction
- Chemicaldrift – A new open-source ocean pollution model – Lars R. Hole, Manuel Aghito, Øyvind Breivik
- Surface water contamination with microplastics in Poland: Trends and challenges – Piotr Zieliński, Karolina Mierzyńska
- Microplastics: Classification and prediction – Vo Luong Hong Phuoc, Piotr Zieliński, Sohiko Kameyama, Lars R. Hole, OMH group
- Detection and classification of microplastics using artificial intelligence: Challenges and opportunities – Pham The Bao, Le Nhi Lam Thuy, Vu Ngoc Thanh Sang, Dat Trinh, Tran Quang Vinh, Dang Nguyen Quoc Duong, Tran Thi Chung, Le Nguyen Hoa Tien, Vo Luong Hong Phuoc
- Integrating AI and GIS for forecasting saltwater intrusion in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam under climate change – Vo Thi Kim Kieu, Pham Thi Tuyet Huyen, Nguyen Kim Loi
Session 3: River–Ocean Processes and Coastal Zones
- Formation mechanism of sandbar in the Cua Dai – Thu Bon River mouth – Vu Tuan Anh, Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung
- Sub-mesoscale flows and near-inertial motions in the Mississippi–Atchafalaya River plume in the Gulf of Mexico – Pat Welch
- Water resource characteristics of the Mekong Delta: Current status, challenges, and sustainable management solutions – Tran Dang An
- The use of sand on a global scale and its impact on the marine environment – Klaus Schwarzer
- Coastal protection strategies with nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation in the coastal Mekong Delta – Le Xuan Tu
- Shifting tidal dynamics in the Mekong Delta: Unraveling the acceleration of tidal amplification and its anthropogenic roots – Nguyen Cong Thanh, Tran Van Xuan, Nguyen Nghia Hung, Dang Truong An
The workshop concluded by reaffirming the pivotal role of marine science in providing essential data, solutions, and strategic directions for protecting the oceans sustainably and effectively amidst current environmental challenges. The in-depth discussions highlighted the importance of applying modern technologies—from HF radar systems and high-precision chemical measurements to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning—to enhance monitoring and forecasting capabilities for complex ocean systems.
The workshop's focus extended beyond fundamental ocean dynamics to pressing environmental issues such as surface microplastic pollution and the impacts of climate change on coastal and estuarine regions. The solutions presented—from ocean pollution modeling to nature-based coastal protection strategies—demonstrated how scientific knowledge can be transformed into actionable strategies, contributing to long-term sustainable development and marine conservation.