Mangrove Horizons emblem: a needlefish among mangrove prop roots

Research Symposium & Lab

Mangrove Horizons

Integrating Coastal Data, Community Knowledge and Restoration Practice

20–23 October 2026 Hồ Chí Minh City » Cù Lao Dung » Vĩnh Long, Viet Nam
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Trailer

Unfolding the Coast

We are convening a collaborative research symposium and field lab right in the heart of the Mekong Delta’s bustling life and its coastal frontier. The delta’s mangrove stands provide crucial nature-based coastal protection, a nursery for aquatic life, and are closely tied to coastal livelihoods. Yet, they face a “coastal squeeze” from advancing oceans and anthropogenic pressures.

A great deal of work and momentum is currently happening surrounding coastal ecosystems in Vietnam and elsewhere. This event aims to bring perspectives, knowledge and best-practices together, to learn, connect, and shape a network and research agenda that starts with demand-led restoration in coastal communities, and uses science to boost success rate and durability of efforts.

Scientific sessions begin in Hồ Chí Minh City, continue with field visits at the mangrove frontier. By moving from the city to the coast to the delta, discussions and exchange happen in the landscapes, connect to the communities they concern. This symposium and field lab seek to integrate knowledge bases for resilient coasts by connecting Vietnamese and international researchers, practitioners, finance, policymakers, and local communities.

Themes/panels include:

  • Restoration ecohydrology integrating community knowledge and remote sensing;
  • Livelihoods and nurseries for mangrove protection and regrowth;
  • Lasting mangrove ecosystems and defense in a coastal squeeze.

Field survey by boat in a Mekong Delta mangrove channel Mature mangrove forest in the Mekong Delta Newly planted mangrove seedlings on a tidal mudflat

Programme

The symposium takes place on 20–23 October 2026, combining plenary sessions, a hands-on research lab and field work in the mangrove belt.

Confirmed speakers

The detailed day-by-day programme will be published here ahead of the event.

Locations

  1. 1

    UEH Institute of Innovation

    Scientific symposium

    Hồ Chí Minh City

  2. 2

    Cù Lao Dung field site

    Mangrove nursery and Belt

    Cù Lao Dung, Mekong River Delta

  3. 3

    UEH Mekong Nexus campus

    Closing sessions and synthesis

    Vĩnh Long

Organizers & Partners

Organised by

  • Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH)
  • Women4Mangrove Initiative (W4M)
  • Department of Geography, University of Zurich (UZH)
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City
Institute of Smart City and Management
Women4Mangrove Initiative
University of Zurich

Funded by

Leading House Asia Pacific, Global Affairs, University of Zurich

University of Zurich — Leading House Asia Pacific

Participating partners

  • Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam (MAE)
  • MekongDeltaLivingLab
  • Thuy Loi University
  • Institute of Life Sciences, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)
  • National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU)

Registration

Registration is now open. Places are limited because the programme includes field work. Participants interested in presenting can indicate this when registering. Registration deadline:

Register now

Contact

For questions about the programme, registration or travel, financial assistance for those in need, please contact the organizing committee: leon.hauser@geo.uzh.ch or thuyntt@ueh.edu.vn.

  • Department of Geography, University of Zurich
    geo.uzh.ch
  • Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), UEH
    iscm.ueh.edu.vn