“Mở Đường – Dẫn Lối” Brings Real-World Sustainable Development Practices to UEFers

Recognizing the growing importance of sustainable development, on the morning of December 26, the UEF Center of Service-Learning collaborated with the community organization Dear Our Community to organize the workshop “Mở Đường – Dẫn Lối.” The workshop allowed students to experience practical sustainable solutions, connect with experienced experts, and explore future career opportunities in the field of sustainable development.

The workshop attracted a large number of UEF students.

The program was attended by Ms. Tran Thi My Phuong, LL.M, Director of the UEF Center of Service-Learning; Mr. Duc Bui, Chief Executive Officer of Amanaki Group; and Ms. Vo Ngoc Tuyen (Kelly), Founder & CEO of Dear Our Community.

"Mở Đường – Dẫn Lối" is a content series developed by Dear Our Community to bring real stories and practical experiences in sustainable development closer to young people. Through the series, students are introduced to individuals and organizations that are actively responding to sustainability challenges, along with initiatives that turn long-term development goals into concrete action.

At the workshop, Mr. Duc Bui shared his own journey, from a challenging starting point to gradually recognizing the importance of sustainable values and incorporating ESG practices into the hospitality industry.

The representative of the UEF Center of Service-Learning presented a gift of appreciation to the speaker.

The event was hosted at Amanaki Hotel, where the setting itself became part of the learning experience. With its strong commitment to sustainable development, the hotel offered more than a professional venue; it gave students a chance to see how sustainability can be reflected in everyday business operations. From environmentally conscious design choices to the way services are delivered, Amanaki showed that comfort and sustainability do not have to be competing priorities.

By hearing about the hotel's journey toward more sustainable practices, UEFers gained a clearer understanding of ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance, and how these principles can be applied in the hospitality sector. Rather than discussing ESG only in broad terms, Mr. Duc Bui shared small but practical examples from hotel operations. Toothbrushes and other single-use plastic items, for instance, are provided only upon request at the reception desk. Pillowcases and bed sheets are made from a blend of 50% bamboo pulp and 50% cotton fibers.

These details may seem minor on their own, but together they showed students how sustainability can become part of day-to-day decision-making.

UEF students broadened their perspectives on sustainable development.

From Mr. Duc Bui’s journey toward sustainable development, three important lessons were highlighted. First, sustainable development begins with the inner capacity of each individual’s inner capacity and awareness. Second, sustainable development comes from education and people. When we develop the right mindset and gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development, the world around us will naturally become more sustainable. Finally, sustainable development is built through seemingly small details that are often overlooked in our daily lives.

Throughout the program, the speakers not only focused on sharing practical experiences but also created opportunities for UEFers to interact and directly discuss questions related to recruitment needs and career opportunities in the field of sustainable development.

The speaker answered students’ questions and concerns.

Sustainable development is no longer a distant concept or simply a popular trend. It is becoming part of how businesses, organizations, and individuals think about long-term growth. Yet knowing the term is one thing; understanding how to put it into practice is another.

Through “Mở đường - Dẫn lối”, UEF students were able to approach ESG from a mỏe practical perspective and learn from experiences drawn directly from the workplace. Perhaps the clearest takeaway from the workshop was also the simplest: meaning changes dẽ not always begin with something large. Sometimes, it starts with a small decision made differently.

UEF Center of Information and Communication