On the morning of January 21, 2026, Ha Long University solemnly held the Opening Ceremony of the Recycling Technology Demonstration Center and the Signing Ceremony of Cooperation Agreements with members and partners of the project “Prevention, reduction and recycling of fishnet pollution in Vietnamese coastal waters – REVFIN.”

The event was organized within the framework of the international REVFIN Project, funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMUV) and approved by the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee. The project brings together leading universities and plastic recycling technology enterprises in Viet Nam, aiming to promote scientific and technological solutions for the prevention, reduction, and recycling of plastic waste, particularly abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear in Vietnamese coastal areas.

The view of the Ceremony

Participants in the event included Mr. Graf von Luxburg-Marten Welf, representative of the REVFIN Project donor from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences (Germany); representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Ha Long Bay – Yen Tu Heritage Management Board; local media agencies; the Board of Rectors and REVFIN Project members of Ha Long University; as well as representatives of partner universities and enterprises participating in the REVFIN Project in Viet Nam.

Enterprises working in recycling plastic waste attending the Ceremony

In his speech at the ceremony, Dr. Nguyen Duc Tiep, Rector of Ha Long University, emphasized the University’s role in linking education and scientific research with the practical needs of local sustainable development. He also highlighted the significance of the Recycling Technology Demonstration Center as a hands-on and experiential model that helps raise awareness of the circular economy and marine environmental protection.

Dr. Nguyen Duc Tiep - Rector of Ha Long University giving opening speech and report on the REVFIN project results

Within the program, Mr. Graf von Luxburg-Marten Welf, representative of the REVFIN Project donor from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences (Germany), highly appreciated the close cooperation among universities, enterprises, and local authorities during the project implementation, and expressed his expectation that recycling technology models would continue to be replicated and expanded in the future.

Speech of Mr. Graf von Luxburg-Marten Welf - Representative of the REVFIN Project donor from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences (Germany)

Also within the framework of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony was held between three Vietnamese member universities of the REVFIN Project—Ha Long University, Nha Trang University, and Kien Giang University—and enterprises operating in the fields of plastic production, distribution, and recycling. The cooperation aims to strengthen collaboration in education, research, technology transfer, and to promote the development of a circular economy network in the plastic recycling sector.

REVFIN partners taking a souvenir photo at the MOU Signing Ceremony

Immediately after the signing ceremony, delegates attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the Recycling Technology Demonstration Center located on the first floor of Building C, Ha Long University, and took part in a site visit to observe and experience the trial operation of the plastic waste recycling technology system.

Opening Ceremony of the REVFIN Demonstration Center

Dr. Nguyen Duc Tiep - Rector of Ha Long University taking photo with Professor Welf - Representative of the REVFIN Project from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences (Germany)

Representatives visiting the REVFIN Recycling Demonstration Center

Professor Welf, representative of the REVFIN Project sponsor from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences (Germany) overseeing equipment operation at the recycling demonstration space

The event not only marked an important milestone in the implementation of the REVFIN Project at Ha Long University, but also contributed to promoting multi-stakeholder cooperation among universities, enterprises, local authorities, and international partners toward the goals of sustainable development and the protection of Viet Nam’s marine environment.

Written by: Nguyen Thanh Hien - Office of International Cooperation and Research Management