Hoi Thao - Da Lat

Foreign and local experts put forth solutions to turn Da Lat highland resort town into a green valley to promote biotechnology, an information technology hub in Vietnam and an international tourist destination.

A two-day seminar on the topic which opened in Da Lat Friday focused on three major issues as guidelines for the sustainable development of the capital city of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

The Lam Dong People’s Committee and Trung Nguyen Coffee Co. hosted the seminar, which yielded innovative plans to transform the city into center for the research and promotion of biotechnology to modernize agriculture and forestry.

Participants said the natural environment in Da Lat is ideal to set up there an international standard biotech center.

The highland town has also become know as the garden city - a destination of for international tourists who love flowers, they told the seminar.

To reach this goal the city authorities had to focus on maintaining the harmony between the landscape and architecture, also known as “the city of flowers and pine forests”.

In addition, the city has favorable conditions to become a “Silicon Valley” of Vietnam with the development of information technology and an intellectual-based economy.

Based on the city’s proximity and topography, it is an ideal site for institutes, universities, vocational schools as well as the headquarters of well-known groups and businesses specializing in IT and other sectors involving knowledge-based economy.

Opinions

Dr Peter McLoughlin of the Ireland’s Waterford Institute said Da Lat in particular and Lam Dong in general could seek to develop drug and biological products.

“Ireland is an example. Some 20 years ago we were known primarily for farming, but now we are one of the leading countries in biotechnology,” he said.

Tara Kimbrell Cole, director of Synovations Pte. Said Da Lat also has ideal conditions to set up the therapy industry thanks to its diverse ecosystem.

Robert Rubinstein, CEO of Brooklyn Bridge, warned that the authorities of Da Lat should only call for investment after they have clearly established a plan to protect the pristine environment.

Brooklyn Bridge is an organization that arranges funding for large scale sustainable projects that will dramatically improve the planetary condition.

“You must select “clean” partners that ensure maintenance and harmony between the human beings, the planet, and profit for investment,” Rubinstein said.

 “If not, no profit can compensate the high price you will have to pay to clean your city up in the future,” he stressed.

The participants also said a call to international investors was necessary to direct billions of US dollars to Da Lat, set up a Green Investment Fund for the city and help to list this fund on the international bourse in the near future.

Reported by Uyen Hoa – Translated by Thu Thuy