The working session was held within the framework of activities under the National Action Plan on Sustainable Food Systems Transformation, aiming to strengthen professional exchange, share experience, and promote research cooperation in healthy and sustainable nutrition, thereby contributing to addressing global challenges related to food security and public health.

On the side of the National Institute of Nutrition, participants included Assoc. Prof. PhD. Truong Tuyet Mai, Vice Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, along with researchers and professional staff from the Department of Nutrition Surveillance and Policy, the Direction of Healthcare Activities Department, the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, the Nutrition Communication and Education Center, and other functional units.

On the side of the University of Galway, the delegation comprised researchers and members of the EcoFoodSystems project, including Dr. Peter McKeown (Project Lead), Ms. Jemima O’Farrell, Ms. Ciara Varley, and other international experts.

At the working session, both sides focused on exchanging and discussing key contents, including: an overview of the EcoFoodSystems project and the research capacity of the University of Galway; updates on nutrition research activities and policies in Viet Nam; sharing of research methodologies, data analysis, and scientific publication in the field of healthy and sustainable nutrition; and discussion on directions for cooperation and implementation of priority research activities in the coming time. At the end of the session, both sides reached agreement on coordination mechanisms, information sharing, and strengthening linkages among relevant stakeholders.

Significance and directions for cooperation

The EcoFoodSystems project is an international research initiative focusing on promoting sustainable food systems associated with healthy and environmentally friendly diets. The project conducts research activities to support stakeholders within the food system in making better decisions in transforming the diets of nutritionally disadvantaged consumers. The EcoFoodSystems project works closely with stakeholders in the food system to co-create research outputs that can assist partners in making better decisions in transforming the diets of urban consumers towards more sustainable, healthier, and more affordable diets.

Project partners include: the University of Galway (Project Coordinator), Rikolto, Wageningen University & Research, the TRANSITIONs Programme, and collaborating partners in Viet Nam including the National Institute of Nutrition, the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), as well as the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI).

The working session took place in an open and cooperative atmosphere, with a high level of consensus reached on the direction of coordination between the two sides. This marks an important initial step in establishing cooperation between the National Institute of Nutrition and the University of Galway, contributing to promoting interdisciplinary research on sustainable food systems and community nutrition in Viet Nam.

Through this cooperation, the National Institute of Nutrition expects to strengthen research capacity, expand international cooperation networks, and contribute to the development of effective nutrition policies towards improving public health.

Link to the EcoFoodSystems project: https://ecofoodsystems.org