Many breakthrough ideas from the Thematic Discussion Session – International Scientific Conference on Traffic Survey Methods (ISCTSC2025)

On the afternoon of April 1, a thematic discussion session titled “Challenges in data collection and policy shaping for the development of Da Nang Free Trade Zone (FTZ)” took place at the University of Economics – University of Danang. The discussion session was part of the International Scientific Conference on Traffic Survey Methods (ISCTSC) – a forum attracting the participation of experts, scientists, and practitioners in the field of transportation, aiming to enhance survey quality, support planning, and develop transport policies.

The session focused on advising the city of Da Nang on data collection and management policies, especially transportation data, contributing to the effective planning and operation of the Da Nang Free Trade Zone. The event gathered hundreds of experts, scientists, and researchers from both domestic and international backgrounds.

The thematic discussion session attracted a large number of experts and researchers

At the beginning of the session, participants watched an introductory video about the Da Nang Free Trade Zone, highlighting its development potential and strategic advantages. The video particularly emphasized the investment and economic cooperation opportunities the zone offers. It also underlined Da Nang’s role in promoting international trade, attracting domestic and foreign enterprises, and creating a favorable business environment through preferential policies and modern infrastructure.

Assoc. Prof. Doan Ngoc Phi Anh - Vice Rector of the University of Economics presented flowers to thank the co-organizing units, marking the start of the discussion session

Chairing the session, Professor Tobias Kuhnimhof from RWTH Aachen University (Germany) shared international experiences in planning free trade zones (FTZs) and the crucial role of data in building sustainable development strategies. The session then continued with exchanges and analyses on the Da Nang FTZ project from strategic, legal, infrastructure, and performance indicator (KPIs) perspectives.

Many breakthrough ideas emerged from the thematic discussion session

During the open discussion, experts focused on key topics such as the role of data in policymaking; the impact of data shortages on FTZ planning and regional transportation; and solutions for developing effective data collection methods from the early stages to support the operation and sustainable development of the Da Nang FTZ.

Experts engaging in discussions and exchanges

In the next session, Professor Mario Cools from the University of Liège (Belgium) shared compelling insights from his project and provided a valuable international perspective on the data infrastructure needed for Vietnam’s future tourism surveys.

Professor Mario Cools delivering his presentation

Following that, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Anh Tuan – Director of the Vietnamese-German Transport Research Center, presented the current needs and specific requirements for household tourism surveys in Vietnam. He also provided a deep understanding of the local context, which is vital for tailoring this initiative to suit Vietnam’s specific conditions.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Anh Tuan delivering his presentation

In the final part of the thematic discussion session, experts from the Washington Metropolitan Council, the University of Sydney, and urban and transport planning specialists joined an open discussion on establishing a household tourism survey in Vietnam.

The thematic discussion session under the framework of the ISCTSC2025 Conference at the University of Economics – University of Danang was an important opportunity for experts, scientists, and administrators to exchange ideas and provide strategic directions for the collection and application of transport data. The event not only contributed to the development of the Da Nang FTZ but also laid the groundwork for national and international research on traffic survey methods.

Delegates taking commemorative photos

International Scientific Conference on Traffic Survey Methods (ISCTSC 2025) on mass media:

- Da Nang Radio and Television: International Conference ISCTSC 2025 (watch from 1:17)

- Da Nang Police Newspaper: Challenges in Data Collection and Policy Shaping for the Development of the Da Nang Free Trade Zone

- Youth Capital Newspaper: Finding Optimal Data Solutions for the Free Trade Zone

Center for Information and Communication Technology