TJU Students Visit Vietnam Projects, Offer Insights for Tianjin’s Development

A student practice team from Tianjin University recently traveled to Vietnam to visit overseas projects undertaken by major Chinese construction companies, seeking first-hand insights into the global expansion of China’s construction industry and ways to support Tianjin’s construction planning for the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

Organized under the guidance of the Tianjin Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the trip was carried out jointly by Tianjin University’s Silk Road Navigation practice team and the Tianjin Construction Industry Association. The delegation visited projects run by China Construction Second Engineering Bureau and China Construction Third Engineering Bureau, where team members learned about project management, technology application and cooperation with local partners in overseas construction.

At project sites ranging from industrial facilities and electromechanical works to high-end buildings and large-scale integrated developments, the students observed how Chinese companies are addressing challenges in overseas operations through management innovation, technical expertise and localized collaboration. The visit also provided first-hand material for research related to Tianjin’s construction industry development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

During the trip, team members also held in-depth discussions with project teams on key issues including compliant overseas operations, local talent cultivation and green construction.

Liu Yuanrui, head of the practice team, said the visit offered a close look at the resilience and professionalism of Chinese builders working abroad.

“From construction sites to face-to-face exchanges, we saw how Chinese companies respond to complex legal, regulatory and cultural environments through professional management and practical innovation,” Liu said. “It also strengthened our resolve to apply what we have learned to the country’s development needs.”

Zong Chao, a faculty advisor to the team, said the trip was both a professional field study and a vivid lesson beyond the classroom.

“It was a hands-on experience at the front line of overseas engineering projects,” Zong said. “For the students, it was also an opportunity to broaden their international outlook, deepen professional understanding and better connect personal growth with the needs of national development.”

Wang Yihan, another faculty member leading the delegation, said the team aimed to turn observations made on project sites into practical reference for the drafting of Tianjin’s construction industry plan for the next five years.

“By going directly to overseas project sites, the students were able to gather valuable field-based evidence,” Wang said. “We hope these findings can help support Chinese companies in expanding abroad in a steady way and contribute to the high-quality development of the industry.”

Hei Jinshan, president of the Tianjin Construction Industry Association, said the joint trip marked another concrete effort to deepen collaboration between industry and universities in support of Belt and Road cooperation.

“Tianjin University has strong strengths in talent training and scientific research in the construction field,” Hei said. “The association will continue to deepen cooperation with the university and work together to contribute to the high-quality development of Tianjin’s construction industry.”

By: Qin Mian