The GEOTEC HANOI 2023 (GH 2023) International Conference, themed “Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructure Development,” officially commenced on the morning of December 14 in Hanoi. This marks the fifth consecutive edition of the conference, organized by leading Vietnamese and International geotechnical organizations and enterprises.
The event is co-organized by FECON Corporation, the Vietnamese Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (VSSMGE), Thuyloi University (TLU), the Japanese Geotechnical Society (JGS), and the Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI). It is held under the auspices of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In the opening remarks, Mr. Pham Viet Khoa, Chairman of the Board of FECON Corporation and Head of the GH 2023 Organizing Committee, emphasized:
“Vietnam is located in a region highly susceptible to natural disasters and climate change. Particularly, the country’s complex geological conditions pose significant challenges to the sustainable design, construction, and operation of infrastructure nationwide. Thus, the mission of scientists and pactitioners is to deliver technically sound, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective geotechnical innovations tailored to project-specific requirements.”
He further shared: “One of the key objectives of this year’s conference is to help bridge the scientific and technological gap in the field of geotechnical engineering between Vietnam and developed countries. At the same time, the conference provides a collaborative platform for Vietnamese and international scientists can connect, exchange expertise, and jointly apply global scientific advancements, thereby fostering continued innovation and development within the field.”
In addition to well-established topics that have garnered significant attention from scientists throughout the four previous GEOTEC HANOI conference such as deep foundations, tunneling and underground space, ground improvement, geotechnical modelling and monitoring, and landslides and erosion—GH 2023 introduces a timely and increasingly critical theme: renewable energy – offshore wind power. Though relatively new to the region, this area presents both opportunities and considerable challenges for the scientific community and society at large in the context of sustainable development
As Vietnam’s premier international conference on geotechnical engineering and infrastructure, GEOTEC HANOI has consistently attracted the participation of prominent global experts, researchers, keynote speakers, and design consultants over its five editions.
This year, technical presentations will focus on six major geotechnical themes: Deep Foundations, Tunneling and Underground Space, Ground Improvement, Geotechnical Modeling and Monitoring, Landslides and Erosion, Offshore Wind Power and Coastal Geotechnics.
The conference will feature keynote lectures from six internationally renowned professors:
- Prof. Alessandro Mandolini (University of Campania, Italy)
- Prof. Giulia M.B. Viggiani (University of Cambridge, UK)
- Prof. Rainer Massarsch (Geo Risk & Vibration Scandinavia AB, Sweden)
- Prof. Antonio Gens (Technical University of Catalonia, Spain)
- Prof. Mitsu Okamura (Ehime University, Vice President of JGS, Japan)
- Prof. Richard Jardine (Imperial College London, UK)
Additionally, the conference welcome two distinguished guest lecturers:
- Dr. Marc Ballouz, President of ISSMGE (USA)
- Prof. Keh-Jian Shou, ISSMGE Vice President for Asia
GEOTEC HANOI 2023 will bring together nearly 1,000 delegates, including leading scientists, design consultants, and infrastructure and construction policymakers from Vietnam and around the world. The conference has received nearly 300 technical submissions from over 800 authors and co-authors representing more than 40 countries. Following a rigorous peer-review process, over 200 papers were accepted by the Scientific Committee for presentation and publication. Notably, the number of abstracts submitted to GEOTEC HANOI 2023 increased by 15% compared to the previous conference in 2019.
These figures highlight the growing interest among domestic and international experts in geotechnical and infrastructure-related issues. The consistently high level of participation and technical quality further reinforces GEOTEC HANOI’s position as the leading international conference on geotechnical and infrastructure engineering in Vietnam.
Building upon the success of the GEOTEC HANOI 2019 publication, the official proceeding of GEOTEC HANOI 2023 will be published by Springer, one of the world’s leading academic publishers specializing in education and global scientific research. Titled “Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructure Development”, the volume will feature keynote lectures, invited papers, and selected high-impact technical reports. Hard copies of the proceedings will be distributed to conference participants.
In parallel with the conference sessions, an exhibition space featuring 55 booths has been curated to showcase the latest innovations in geotechnical engineering, infrastructure construction, and underground works. The exhibition provides a platform for scientific institutions, domestic and international enterprises, and technology providers to promote their brands, products, and engineering solutions.
A highlight of the conference lies in its side activities, which include a technical site visit to the Metro Line 3 construction site on December 13, 2023, offering participants the opportunity to observe and assess the use of TBM tunneling technology. On December 16, 2023, a scenic tour to Ha Long Bay, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, will offer guests a chance to explore this iconic symbol of Vietnam.
