From 22–24 October 2025, the Water Tech Innovation Lounge took place at Vietwater 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, creating an international platform for young Vietnamese innovators to present solutions for water and climate challenges. Hosted by The Water Agency within the Netherlands Pavilion, the three-day program brought together six selected teams representing universities, research institutions, and young enterprises from across Vietnam.
Throughout the event, teams showcased innovations ranging from AI-based water quality monitoring, flood early-warning systems, and smart aquaculture tools to wastewater reuse technologies and ecosystem restoration approaches. The exhibition gave participants direct opportunities to engage with visitors, industry experts, researchers, and international stakeholders. Through live demonstrations and project presentations, teams were able to test how their solutions resonated with professional audiences and receive practical feedback for future development.
A strong focus of the Lounge was knowledge exchange and cross-sector dialogue. Through activities such as Innovation Quests and Stakeholder Engagement Missions, participants explored other technologies presented at Vietwater and interacted with Dutch and international water experts. These activities helped bridge technical knowledge with real-world applications, giving young innovators a better understanding of how technology, policy, and community needs intersect in the water sector.
The highlight of the event was the Grand Finale Pitching Session, where the six teams presented their solutions before an expert jury made up of Dutch and Vietnamese professionals from the water sector. Following the final presentations, three teams were recognized for their work as Best Innovation Team, Runner-up, and People’s Choice Award.
Beyond the awards, the event celebrated youth leadership, technical creativity, and the growing role of young professionals in shaping Vietnam’s water future.
The Water Tech Innovation Lounge 2025 also reflected the broader 15-year Netherlands–Vietnam Strategic Partnership on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management, reinforcing the value of international collaboration in building future-ready water solutions.
