HANOI, VIETNAM – June 17, 2025 – the SIMPLE team engaged in lively exchanges  during the France Alumni Vietnam gathering at the French Embassy in Hanoi, held on Friday, June 13, 2025. The event was a key part of the “Journée mondiale des Alumni” (World Alumni Day) and commemorated the 10th anniversary of the France Alumni Vietnam network.

The prestigious Gala Alumni, themed “Pour nos 10 ans, innovons !” (For our 10 years, let’s innovate!), was co-organized by the Embassy of France in Vietnam, France Alumni Vietnam, and UAVF – the Association of Vietnamese Alumni in France. The occasion brought together over 200 distinguished French alumni from diverse professional fields, all united by a focus on innovation.

As a significant highlight within the “French-Vietnamese Year of Innovation,” the gala served to underscore the invaluable contributions of both France and Vietnam in the realms of science and technology. The SIMPLE project, developed by IRD, was profoundly honored to be recognized and showcased as one of these pivotal contributions.

During the event, the SIMPLE team proudly presented its innovative Virtual Universes. Attendees were given an immersive look at key models, including the Lu Lut (flooding model), a critical model developed within the SIMPLE project, as well as the RAC model, which was developed by the ACROSS Laboratory. These demonstrations highlighted how Virtual Reality is being utilized to make complex environmental issues more understandable and engaging, particularly for youth in the classroom settings.

The discussions were intensive and wide-ranging, thoroughly highlighting SIMPLE’s mission in Vietnam and other ASEAN countries regarding the integration of Virtual Reality technologies into environmental education. This vibrant exchange of ideas powerfully reinforced the critical role of technology and robust collaboration in advancing both environmental education and broader sustainability initiatives across the region. 

The SIMPLE project extends its gratitude to France Alumni Vietnam, the French Embassy, and UAVF for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful celebration of Franco-Vietnamese innovation and collaboration.