On December 9, 2025, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) and the Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI) delegation successfully co-organized an important workshop on the topic “Recycled Materials: Establishing and Training Stakeholders in the Construction and Demolition Waste Recovery Sector in Vietnam”.

The workshop is a key activity within the framework of the WalDeCoViet II Project, aiming to share information and promote in-depth exchanges among experts, towards sustainable solutions to the problem of construction and demolition waste in Vietnam. The workshop was held in a hybrid format (in-person at the Meeting Room on the 2nd floor of the Library and online via MS Teams).

The event was attended by: Mr. Pierre Du Ville - Head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos; and experts from the University of Liège (Belgium): Prof. Luc Courard - Project Leader of WalDeCoViet II, Prof. Thibault Mariage and Dr. R. Hin - Project Members.

Representing Hanoi University of Civil Engineering were: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang - Vice Rector; Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung - Head of the Department of External Relations and International Cooperation, members participating in the WalDeCoViet II Project, along with interested lecturers and students.

The workshop was also attended by lecturers and researchers from research institutes and universities, as well as representatives from relevant businesses. This clearly demonstrated the deep interest of professionals and society in the issue of construction waste and recycled materials – a topic of great concern.

Overview of the Conference

In his opening remarks at the workshop, Professor Nguyen Hoang Giang, Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, emphasized the importance of connecting stakeholders in the context of the construction industry facing resource pressures and the demands of sustainable development. According to Professor Nguyen Hoang Giang, the seminar provided an opportunity for experts to exchange ideas on recycling models suitable for Vietnam's conditions.

Professor Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang - Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, delivered the opening remarks at the conference.

From an international cooperation perspective, Mr. Pierre Du Ville, Head of the Delegation, highly appreciated the event and considered it a testament to the joint efforts between the University of Liège (Belgium) and the Hanoi University of Civil Engineering towards sustainable construction. Mr. Pierre Du Ville emphasized that in the context of climate change and rapid urbanization, construction waste should no longer be considered "waste" but rather seen as "a valuable resource waiting to be rediscovered."

Mr. Pierre Du Ville, Head of the Delegation to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, delivered a speech at the Workshop.

The reports presented at the conference provided diverse perspectives on the recovery and recycling of construction waste worldwide and in Vietnam:

mily:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Professor Luc Courard shared about the goals and methods of the WalDeCoViet II Project, and lessons learned from research projects on construction waste recycling.

• Mr. Tran Viet Cuong - Director of Smart Solution Vietnam Investment JSC, provided a report on the current situation of construction and demolition waste in Vietnam.

• Professor Thibault Mariage presented on the experience of recycling inert waste in Wallonia (Belgium), emphasizing the role of communication in developing a circular economy.

• Dr. R. Hin reports on the mechanical properties of brick-based construction waste from Cambodia when used as a partial cement substitute in mortar.

• PhD candidate Bao Minh Ta (online) presents research on: Using recycled sand for 3D printing technology.

• Dr. Tran Duc Binh shared information on the topic: Assessing the environmental and economic impacts of sand mining activities in Vietnam and Belgium.

Experts shared information at the workshop.

The workshop concluded successfully with concluding remarks and directions for cooperation from Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung and Professor L. Courard. The content shared at the workshop will provide a wealth of useful information for controlling and recycling construction waste in Vietnam and around the world.

Delegates, experts, and guests pose for photos with students at the conference.

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