Chairman of the BoD - Dr. Ha Minh joins a Working delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction to Australia and New Zealand: Promoting Digital transformation and Enhancing consulting capabilities

Recently, Dr. Ha Minh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CONINCO, undertook a strategic business trip to Australia and New Zealand alongside a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction led by Deputy Minister Pham Minh Ha. The trip marked a significant step forward in accessing advanced infrastructure data governance and management models, driving digital transformation within the construction sector, and expanding cooperation in training and scientific research.

Leveraging an extensive international partner network and its status as Vietnam’s leading construction consulting firm, CONINCO’s leadership prioritizes continuous learning and proactive international integration. The delegation’s itinerary covered major cities including Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne in Australia, as well as Wellington, New Zealand. Notably, accompanying the Ministry of Construction on this trip, CONINCO had the honor of helping to connect and coordinate working sessions with top-tier technology corporations and prestigious universities in Australia.

This strong connection stems from the academic background and global perspective of CONINCO’s leader. As a scientist and expert who spent a decade conducting research and teaching at Saitama University (Japan) with over 50 international scientific publications and practical experience gained from working in more than 60 countries and territories, Chairman Dr. Ha Minh is deeply committed to applying global knowledge to Vietnam’s construction industry. CONINCO’s meticulous preparation and active role as a bridge not only contributed to the resounding success of the delegation’s visit but also opened up numerous opportunities for the company to elevate its consultancy capabilities in the digital era.

Accessing advanced infrastructure data governance and planning models in Australia

In Australia, a key highlight was the series of high-level working sessions with government agencies aimed at gaining international insights into data governance and digital transformation. In Canberra, the delegation held in-depth discussions with the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCA). During these sessions, the delegation examined the operations of the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) regarding data collection, storage, and analysis; explored national data-sharing platforms such as the National Freight Data Hub and the National Road Safety Strategy website as well as online management systems like RPM, PRAMS and reviewed cost-benefit analysis methodologies for investment projects.

In addition, the delegation exchanged experiences with the New South Wales Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) regarding the operation of the NSW Planning Portal, housing data governance, and floor area ratio (FAR) incentive policies for social housing. The delegation also worked with the Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning on the development of open data portals, geospatial data, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. These modern data governance models serve as a vital foundation for CONINCO to research, select, and integrate practices into its consultancy processes covering project formulation, verification, and management thereby enhancing accuracy and investment efficiency in Vietnam.

Learn about construction management solutions and enhance disaster resilience

As part of a series of in-depth professional exchange activities in Wellington, the delegation held a significant working session with New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The parties engaged in comprehensive discussions regarding the construction system management model, digital transformation, industry-wide data standardization, and advanced construction permitting processes.

In particular, the delegation conducted an in-depth study of construction standards aimed at enhancing resilience against natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides. The targeted approach to reinforcing and renovating existing structures, aimed at optimizing costs while ensuring operational safety, provided practical and valuable insights for CONINCO’s inspection and renovation consultancy services.

Expanding international cooperation in technology and training

As part of the business trip, and facilitated by CONINCO, the Ministry of Construction delegation held productive working sessions with Rockfield Technologies Australia and the University of Melbourne - one of the world's most prestigious institutions for education and research, particularly in the application of sensors, drones, and AI in real-time urban infrastructure monitoring.

There, the Chairman of Rockfield and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne accorded the delegation a warm reception and showcased key ongoing projects, such as: The Elster Creek catchment monitoring system in Melbourne which utilizes real-time data-transmitting sensors and integrates a Digital Twin for early flood warning; a 3D urban database model (based on the CityGML standard) for visualizing and managing city-wide infrastructure networks; and a "smart asset inspection" method combining drones and AI to analyze vibrations and assess structural integrity.

To promote the adoption of these technologies in Vietnam, Rockfield has established a partnership with CONINCO to collaborate on the transfer of technologies for infrastructure health monitoring, digitalization, and disaster response. Rockfield has also expressed its readiness to deepen this partnership with CONINCO and to collaborate with the University of Melbourne on developing standards, technical guidelines, and expert training, with the aim of expanding practical research and application in the field of digital infrastructure engineering.

Furthermore, the delegation expanded its network of partnerships to include the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Swinburne University of Technology (Australia), and Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand). These discussions paved the way for practical multilateral cooperation in training and development of highly skilled human resources, scientific research, and technology transfer.

New momentum for the journey of digital transformation and sustainable development

The successful business trip to Australia and New Zealand not only affirms CONINCO’s pioneering commitment to international integration but also lays a solid foundation for the company’s comprehensive digital transformation strategy. Proactively adopting international expertise combined with modern data management capabilities and leading-edge digital tools will be the key to CONINCO’s continuous service quality enhancement. Thereby, the company continues to deliver optimal solutions to clients and partners while actively contributing to the broader modernization goals of Vietnam’s construction industry.

Some photos of the delegation during the business trip: