The Water Tech Innovation Lounge 2025, organized by The Water Agency in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was launched as a dynamic innovation platform within the Netherlands Pavilion at Vietwater 2025, held from 22–24 October 2025 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
Designed as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, the Lounge brought together students, startups, universities, research institutes, and industry partners working on solutions for water, climate, and sustainability challenges in Vietnam. The platform focused on showcasing youth-led and research-driven solutions across themes such as water technology, aquaculture, circular water use, flood resilience, and ecosystem restoration. Through interactive demonstrations, pitching opportunities, and stakeholder engagement activities, the program created space for young innovators to connect with experts and potential partners from Vietnam and abroad.
Ahead of the exhibition, The Water Agency hosted an official orientation session on 15 October 2025 for the six selected teams. The session provided guidance on logistics, exhibition setup, and pitching preparation, while also helping teams align expectations for the three-day event.
The selected teams represented a wide range of institutions and expertise from across Vietnam:
- Green AIoT – a multidisciplinary student team from FPT Polytechnic Ho Chi Minh City, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, and Melbourne Polytechnic Vietnam, developing a solar-powered AIoT system for aquaculture with real-time water monitoring and automated aeration.
- Mega Aqua – an R&D team from MEGA Electric Company Limited, working on AI-based real-time water quality monitoring systems already being applied in aquaculture settings in Long An and Tien Giang.
- Mekong Researchers – from the Mekong Institute and Can Tho University, focusing on flood monitoring and early-warning systems for the Mekong Delta.
- Bluewater – a student team from Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment, developing wastewater treatment and water reuse systems that support circular water solutions.
- ShrimpTech – from Van Hien University and HUTECH University, applying IoT and data-driven systems for shrimp pond monitoring and energy-efficient aquaculture.
- STARS WATER – from Tra Vinh University, focusing on ecosystem restoration, science-based action, and community engagement for sustainable water management.
Together, these six teams reflected Vietnam’s growing ecosystem of young innovators working at the intersection of water technology, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
The Water Tech Innovation Lounge created an international platform where these teams could present their work, strengthen professional networks, and contribute to future water solutions for Vietnam and the wider region.
