On September 7, 2026, The University of Danang (UD) hosted a seminar titled “Smart Tourism and Hospitality: The Role of IoT and Digital Technologies in Transforming Sustainable Tourism – Perspectives from the SOHO Project,” highlighting the role of smart technologies and digital transformation in advancing a green, high-quality, and sustainable tourism sector.

The seminar brought together Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thanh Bac, Vice President of UD; representatives from the leadership of UD’s member universities and affiliated units; industry experts, business partners, and members of the SOHO Project; as well as faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduates from relevant disciplines.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thanh Bac emphasized that the seminar served as a key academic platform to amplify the impact and outcomes of the Erasmus+ SOHO Project – “Smart, Optimized, High-quality, and On-demand Tourism Innovative Education for Sustainable and Green Development.”

The event offered an opportunity for universities, enterprises, and key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, drive innovation, and foster high-quality human resources for the tourism sector. This initiative is particularly timely as rapid advances in science, technology, and digital transformation continue to reshape the industry and generate new requirements for workforce development.

UD leadership highly commended the vision and initiatives of the SOHO Project, noting their alignment with Vietnam’s national development strategies—specifically the goal of developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

At the seminar, Prof. Vladimir Tanasiev from the National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Coordinator of the SOHO Project, highlighted the key achievements realized through the collaboration of nine partner institutions across six countries.

As a primary partner in Vietnam, UD has played a pivotal role in implementing the project and facilitating synergy among universities, businesses, public-sector entities, and international partners.

Over its 36-month implementation period, the SOHO Project focused on three core training modules: Smart City Transportation Solutions for Tourism, Digital Technologies in Residential and Tertiary Buildings, Renewable Energy Sources and Systems.

These modules are currently being integrated into training programs and curricula at UD, equipping students with essential competencies for smart and sustainable tourism. This approach aligns seamlessly with the project's broader goal of empowering higher education institutions to leverage smart technologies, digital solutions, and renewable energy in tourism education.

The seminar featured insightful presentations and discussions on smart tourism, hospitality, and sustainable development:

- Mr. Piotr Madej, Chairman of the Vietnam Business Council – Marriott International and General Manager of Da Nang Marriott Resort & Spa, shared practical experiences in operating smart hotels in Vietnam, emphasizing technology adoption to elevate service quality and meet evolving traveler expectations.

- Dr. Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, provided a comprehensive overview of Da Nang’s tourism landscape, outlining emerging trends alongside key opportunities and challenges.

- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phuc Nguyen, Deputy Director of the Institute for FinTech, Innovation and Sustainable Development and Deputy Director of the Institute of International Education at UD – University of Economics (UD-DUE), presented UD’s major milestones under the SOHO Project and strategic directions for knowledge transfer.

- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Trung Hung, Vice Rector of UD – University of Technology and Education (UD-UTE), outlined the project's outcomes and future roadmap at UD-UTE.

By bringing together diverse perspectives and actionable insights, the seminar underscored UD’s role as a bridge between academia and industry in preparing a future-ready workforce for green and sustainable tourism.

Furthermore, the event facilitated the exchange of trends in tourism technology and education while expanding international collaborative networks. These joint effort are expected to drive socio-economic growth for Da Nang City, the Central Region, and Vietnam as a whole.

On this occasion, within the project framework, Prof. Vladimir Tanasiev also delivered guest lectures and academic presentations at UD member universities, including the University of Science and Technology (UD-DUT) and UD-DUE. His engagements further reinforced academic and research cooperation between UD and its global partners.

Through the SOHO Project, UD continues to spearhead international collaboration and educational innovation, preparing a new generation of professionals equipped to build a smart, green, and sustainable tourism ecosystem.

UD Media