Within the framework of a cooperation program sponsored by FRTech and Korean businesses from April 6th to April 10th, 2026, a delegation from Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE), including Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang – Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Viet Nga – Director of the Vietnam-Japan Institute of Advanced Technology, Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung – Head of the Department of External Relations and International Cooperation, and Dr. Nguyen Thi Nguyet Hang – Head of the Bridge and Underground Structures chuyên môn group – successfully completed a working trip to Korea with many important results, contributing to promoting international cooperation between HUCE and its Korean partners. The trip aimed to expand and deepen cooperation between the University and Korean universities, research institutes, and businesses, towards promoting the "Three-Party" cooperation model between the University – Businesses – State in the fields of training, scientific research, technology transfer, and innovation.

Delegation and partners from the College of Engineering – Seoul National University (Dean of the College of Engineering, Prof. Young-Oh KIM)

During the working visit, the delegation signed a cooperation agreement with the College of Engineering – Seoul National University (SNU), opening up many practical cooperation opportunities in training, scientific research, and faculty-student exchange. Both sides agreed to jointly implement research projects in the field of construction engineering and technology, funded by Korean and Vietnamese businesses. These projects will focus on areas such as: applied research on new materials like glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), steel components, concrete for high-speed rail, consulting on urban infrastructure design, water resource planning, wastewater treatment, and pollution control of urban rivers. This is a significant milestone, contributing to elevating the cooperative relationship between HUCE and SNU – one of Asia's leading engineering training institutions.

Representatives from both schools signed the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation.

The delegation worked directly with two leading companies in the construction materials and transportation infrastructure sectors, FRTech and Sampyo Railway, thereby helping the school gain deeper access to advanced technologies widely applied in South Korea.

FRTech is currently known as a company specializing in the research, development, and production of advanced composite materials. The company's focus is on GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) – a material considered a strategic solution to replace traditional steel reinforcement in modern construction. FRTech's GFRP materials possess many superior technical characteristics, meeting stringent standards for construction and infrastructure projects, such as superior tensile strength (2-3 times higher than steel), approximately 4 times lighter than steel, absolute corrosion resistance, non-oxidizing properties, extended project lifespan, and optimized project lifecycle costs. The product is particularly suitable for constructions in marine environments, underground structures, or infrastructure subject to strong chemical impacts.

During the visit, the HUCE delegation was introduced to the entire modern GFRP production line, from material mixing, spinning, shaping to product quality control. Company representatives also shared about the practical applications of GFRP in bridges, tunnels, coastal structures, and sustainable infrastructure projects in Hanoi. This is a field with great potential for cooperation with HUCE in researching new materials, transferring technology, and training highly skilled technical personnel for Vietnam's construction industry.

The delegation toured the FRTech factory (Dr. Eugene Kim, CEO of FRTech).

Meanwhile, Sampyo Railway is a key member of the Sampyo Group, one of South Korea's leading corporations in construction materials and infrastructure. Sampyo Railway is known as the number one company in South Korea in the field of railway engineering, with outstanding strengths in the production of railway turnouts, precast slab track systems (PSTS), precast concrete components for high-speed rail, and the construction and maintenance of modern railway projects. The company was the first in South Korea to successfully develop railway turnout technology for high-speed rail and precast slab track systems, currently supplying numerous domestic and international railway projects.

Besides working with FRTech and Sampyo Railway, the HUCE delegation also had an in-depth exchange with Yooshin Consulting Company – one of South Korea's leading engineering consulting firms, established in 1966 and currently listed on the KOSDAQ stock exchange. With over half a century of development, Yooshin has established itself as a leading consulting firm in the planning, design, supervision, and project management of large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, high-speed rail, metros, airports, bridges, seaports, dams, and smart cities. Yooshin is renowned for its ability to execute complex infrastructure projects both inside and outside South Korea. The company has participated in the design and consulting of many iconic projects such as the Yi Sun-sin suspension bridge – one of the world's longest main span suspension bridges – as well as numerous metro lines, high-speed rail, and urban projects in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. With its extensive international network, Yooshin is currently implementing projects in many countries, including Vietnam, particularly in the fields of urban transportation, bridges and roads, and sustainable infrastructure.

Working with Yooshin Consulting Company (Chairman Chon Kyung Soo)

In addition, the delegation also surveyed the Cheonggyechon artificial stream, which had been covered in concrete by the highway and drainage system, and was revived in the early 2000s.

Cheonggyechon Artificial Stream

This business trip is a significant milestone, contributing to elevating HUCE's position in the international cooperation network and opening up many prospects for substantive cooperation with leading universities, research institutes, and businesses in South Korea in the future.

Here are some photos of the delegation:

Nguyễn Hường - Phòng ĐN,HTQT