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Cavite, Philippines – On June 16, 2025, Responsible Borneo (REBORN) and the Research Institute for Applied Tourism (RIAT) formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The event, held in Cavite, signifies a pivotal moment for enhancing academic ties and underscores the proactive engagement of Vietnam’s tourism research community in Southeast Asian regional cooperation.
The Signing Ceremony in Cavite
The MoU signing ceremony between Responsible Borneo Sdn. Bhd. (REBORN) and the Research Institute for Applied Tourism (RIAT) was held with due formality on June 16, 2025, in Cavite City, Philippines. This collaborative document is regarded as a significant milestone, establishing a foundational framework for a multitude of activities in academic exchange, research, and the dissemination of expertise in the field of responsible tourism.
According to the MoU, the two parties will collaborate across several key areas, including: joint research on responsible tourism, hospitality, and events; the exchange of guest speakers for conferences and seminars; the co-organization of scholarly activities and joint publications; collaborative efforts in seeking research funding; and the mutual sharing of data, resources, and practical experiences.
The agreement, effective for a three-year term, serves as an initial framework for cooperation, enabling both parties to further deliberate and concretize future collaborative initiatives.
The MoU signing moment between REBORN and RIAT.
The ceremony was attended by high-level representatives from both organizations. Professor Dr. Hiram Ting, Director of REBORN, signed the memorandum, witnessed by Ms. Nurul Ruwaidah Ahamad, Senior Research Assistant. Representing RIAT, Mr. Pham Ngoc Hieu, Acting Deputy Director, signed the document, with Associate Professor Dr. Quang Dai Tuyen, Chairman and Founder of Vietnam Tourism Research (VTR), as a witness.
Notably, the event was honored by the presence of The Honourable Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Malaysia. The participation of multiple stakeholders contributed to a formal and open atmosphere for the ceremony.
Based in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, REBORN is a consultancy focused on leveraging knowledge, research, and innovation for societal development. Within the tourism sector, REBORN places a strong emphasis on responsibility, integrating academic pursuits with community and practical application.
RIAT, Vietnam’s Research Institute for Applied Tourism, concentrates on applied research and training that bridges theory and practice to enhance professional capacity within the tourism industry. Through this approach, RIAT aims to develop training initiatives that are aligned with the practical demands of the sector.
Vietnam’s Contribution to Regional Cooperation
This signing event highlights the increasingly active presence of the Vietnamese tourism research community in regional forums. Through RIAT and the Vietnam Tourism Research network, domestic scholars have been actively sharing practical experiences, from community-based tourism models and heritage preservation to sustainable destination management.
The collective presence of Vietnamese researchers at the ceremony serves as a testament to their spirit of solidarity, intellectual curiosity, and aspiration to make substantive contributions to the process of regional cooperation.
Attendees pose for a group photo at the signing ceremony
While not a legally binding agreement, the REBORN–RIAT MoU is of considerable importance in creating a platform for long-term collaboration. It represents an initial step towards integrating academic and practical domains and reflects the open and knowledge-sharing ethos of Vietnam’s tourism research community in the context of international cooperation.
This agreement not only strengthens scholarly relations between researchers from Vietnam and Malaysia in the field of tourism but also contributes to fostering regional cohesion, advancing a more sustainable and responsible tourism landscape in Southeast Asia.
