To strengthen academic collaboration between the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Management (WREE), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and the Institute for Environment and Resources (IER), Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), two graduate students from Water Engineering and Management (WEM) and Environmental Engineering and Management (EEM) participated in a Short-Term Exchange Program from 21 to 27 December 2025. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to advance regional cooperation in addressing urban water and environmental challenges across Southeast Asia.
Representing AIT were Ms. Trika Agnestasia Tarigan (PhD student, WEM) and Ms. Prachee Shrestha (Master’s student, EEM), who joined the exchange to foster future collaboration and gain deeper insights into urban flood issues in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Academically supported by Prof. Sangam Shrestha, the program emphasized collaboration-based learning and highlighted the relevance of HCMC’s flood dynamics to other rapidly growing megacities such as Bangkok, where similar pressures from urbanization and climate variability continue to intensify flood risk.
The program aligned with WEM and EEM coursework in urban water and wastewater management, flood risk management, and sustainable drainage systems. Urban flooding was explored as a multi-dimensional phenomenon shaped by rapid urbanization, land-use transformation, drainage capacity limitations, intensified rainfall, and interactions between engineered systems and natural waterways. By linking theory to practice, the exchange strengthened students’ understanding of how classroom concepts apply in real-world context, bridging infrastructure stress and climate vulnerability.
Academic sessions were conducted under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Châu Nguyễn Xuân Quang (Vice Director, IER, VNU-HCM) and Dr. Ngô Ngọc Hoàng Giang (Research Assistant, IER, VNU-HCM). Their guidance balanced technicality, rigor and critical thinking, encouraging students to frame engineering challenges within environmental, social, and institutional dimensions of flooding. This guidance highlighted the need for context-sensitivity flood management, particularly in dense urban areas where engineering decisions have significant societal impacts.
A technical highlight of the exchange was hands-on training in urban flood modeling using EPA-SWMM (Storm Water Management Model), a widely adopted tool for simulating stormwater runoff and evaluating drainage system performance. Through a guided case study of Ho Chi Minh City, participants practiced urban catchment delineation, drainage network representation, rainfall data input, and interpretation of hydrologic and hydraulic outputs. This exercise demonstrated how modeling tools support evidence-based identification of drainage bottlenecks and flood hotspots.
Field-based learning provided valuable opportunities to connect technical understanding with on-the-ground realities. Led by Dr. Giang, a visit to Thủ Đức City allowed participants to observe flood-prone areas and compare “before and after” conditions of flooding events. Observations at sites such as Thủ Đức Market and Thao Dien revealed how topography, land use, and drainage connectivity shape local flood exposure, reinforcing classroom discussions with tangible, real-world evidence.
The field program concluded with a water bus journey along the Saigon River, offering a basin-scale perspective on river-city interactions. Viewing HCMC from the water highlighted the interconnectedness of urban drainage systems and natural waterways, while revealing visible pollution impacts. This experience highlighted the importance of wastewater treatment and integrated flood and water management, encouraging a holistic mindset for addressing challenges in river-influenced cities across Southeast Asia.
Beyond academic learning, the exchange nurtured professional growth through interactions with researchers and faculty members at IER, VNU-HCM. Informal exchanges, shared meals and discussions fostered intellectual dialouge, cross-cultural understanding, and long-term academic connections, reflected the regional spirit of cooperation and mutual learning essential for sustainable development.
The participants expressed gratitude for the academic leadership and warm hospitality of Prof. Quang, whose guidance enriched the learning experience. Special thanks were extended to Dr. Giang for organizing and leading the field visits, which provided practical insights into urban flood management. The students also acknowledged Ms. Tươi and the IER team for their coordination and generosity and Prof. Sangam for enabling this international exposure and continuously encouraging students to engage beyond borders.
This short-term exchange stands as a meaningful milestone in strengthening collaboration between AIT and VNU-HCM. It lays a foundation for future joint research, student exchanges, and shared initiatives in urban water and environmental management. More importantly it represents an investment in the next generation of professionals equipped with technical expertise, contextual understanding, and a regional perspective needed to address the complex flooding challenges facing Southeast Asian megacities.
