IATSS Forum
IATSS FORUM
Application Booklet
The 71st & 72nd IATSS Forum, 2027
~ Fostering Young Leaders from Asian Countries~
International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences
~ Leadership Development Training in Japan ~
This application booklet is available to download from the IATSS Forum Website:
https://www.iatssforum.jp/english/applications/index.html
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Application for the 71st & 72nd IATSS Forum Program in 2027
- Program Period:
2027 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
71st IATSS Forum
72nd IATSS Forum
71st IATSS Forum: May – July, 2027 (8 weeks) *
72nd IATSS Forum: September – November, 2027 (8 weeks) *
*Schedule and timeframe are subject to change.
*We cannot guarantee which season’s program you will be able to participate in. - Participating Countries (10 countries):
Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam - Number of Participants:
Total Number of Participants for 2027: 40 participants (20 participants in each program)
*Approx. 1-3 participants from each country in each program
*The number of participants allotted to each country varies from year to year. - Eligibility:
• Applicants must possess the nationality of one of the above participating countries.
• Applicants must be 35 years old or younger as of the closing date of the application.
• Applicants must currently be a full-time employee working in a professional field. (Self-employed
and freelance included)
• Applicants should have at least 2 years of full-time professional job experience at the time
of the application.
• Applicants should have sufficient English skills and cultural adaptability to live and study abroad.
• Applicants must possess the physical and mental capabilities necessary to fully participate in
program activities without an accompanying person.
2 - Application/Selection Schedule:
2026 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Application
Period
Screening
(Document Based)
Final Screening
(Interview)
- Applications are accepted once a year.
- Application Period: from June 1st to September 30th, 2026
- Application Documents: All documents listed below must be submitted online via the online
application page on our website.
The required forms can be downloaded from our website.
If you wish to submit your application documents by postal service, please consult in advance
with your country secretariat listed on the last page of this application booklet.
• IATSS Forum Application Form
• Basic Question Form
• Essay Form
• Recommendation Form
• Certificate of English Proficiency (if you have any) - The selection process consists of two stages: a document screening and an interview.
- Document Screening : October – mid-November, 2026
Examination of application documents by the IATSS Forum Country Committee - Final Interview : late-November – late-December, 2026
Interview with prospective applicants by the IATSS Forum Japan Steering Committee
members and the IATSS Forum Country Committee members, in their home country - Other Terms and Conditions:
- Only the shortlisted applicants who are invited to the final interview will be informed.
- The IATSS Forum secretariat will specify participants’ arrival and departure dates.
◼ For more information, please refer to our IATSS Forum website:
http://www.iatssforum.jp/en/
Opens on June 1st Closes on September 30th
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Instructions for Application
I. Application Requirements
Documents to be Submitted
No. Item Notes
1 Application Form
・ Complete the downloaded form using Microsoft Word or
PDF.
2 Basic Question Form
・ Complete the downloaded form.
・ Refer to the explanation section on the following page.
3 Essay
・ Write a short essay on the given topic using the downloaded
form.
・ Refer to the explanation section on the following page.
4 Recommendation Form
・ Attach one letter of recommendation from your employer.
It should be from your direct supervisor at your current job.
・ Use the downloaded recommendation form.
・ Refer to the explanation section on the following page.
5 A Copy of Certificate of
English Proficiency
・ Attach a copy of any certificates indicating your English
proficiency level, if applicable. (TOEFL, TOEIC etc.)
Please Note:
- Submitting AI-generated text for the Basic Question Form or the Essay will result in immediate
disqualification. - All submitted documents must be written in English.
- Handwritten forms will not be accepted.
- If you use an acronym, you must write out the full name the first time it appears.
e.g. IATSS (International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences)
II. Submission of Application Documents
Submit the required documents via the online application page on our website.
If you wish to submit your application documents by postal service, please consult in advance with your
country secretariat listed on the last page of this application booklet.
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III. Instruction for Answering Basic Questions and Essay Preparation
Please follow the instructions below:
- Based on your understanding of the IATSS Forum’s concept, answer the following basic questions
and write a short essay on the following theme. - Follow the required format.
Basic Questions:
Q1: Please describe your concept of ideal “leadership” based on your experience.
Q2: How far are you from the ideal leadership that you describe in Q1? (include your strengths
and weaknesses)
Q3: What do you expect to gain from the IATSS Forum?
Q4: If you were chosen, how would you contribute to the IATSS Forum program or the learning
of the other participants?
Q5: What is your ultimate goal in your career path?
Essay Theme: How can you contribute to the sustainable development* of your country?
According to the theme above, please write an essay including the following points: - What kind of challenges/problems you want to solve?
- Reasons why you think they are challenges/problems, and why you want to solve them
- Plan to achieve it (provide specific details.)
- “Sustainable development” includes not only about the environment but also about the
economy, politics, education, etc.
Required Format:
- Within 100 words for each basic questions
- Within 500 words for essay (Please provide a word count at the top of essay)
- Typed in Microsoft Office Word
- A4 size
- Single-spaced
- Font size: 11
- Font: Times New Roman
- Write the essays in English
Ⅳ. Instructions for the Recommendation Form
- Please complete the provided form in English.
- The referee must include the applicant’s name, their own name, and their signature.
If the referee cannot write in English, the applicant must arrange for an English translation. The
translator must include their name, relationship to the applicant, date of translation, and signature on
the translated document. Both the original recommendation form and the English translation must be
submitted.
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FAQ Regarding the IATSS Forum
Q1: What are the requirements to participate in the IATSS Forum?
A1: Regarding the age requirement, anyone who is 35 years old or younger as of the application
deadline and meets the eligibility criteria for the IATSS Forum may apply.
Please refer to “4. Eligibility” (page1) on the application booklet for more details about
qualifications.
Q.2-1: I am a student. Am I eligible to apply for the IATSS Forum?
A.2-1: No. If you are a student, and not working full time, you are not qualified to apply for the IATSS
Forum. Please apply for it after you have gained 2 years of professional experience.
Q.2-2: I am a student but I have 2 years of professional experience and I am not working now. Am I
eligible to apply for the IATSS Forum?
A.2-2: No, applicants must currently be a full-time employee working in a professional field. (Self-
employed and freelance included)
Q.2-3: I am currently working but I go to school part-time. Am I eligible to apply for the IATSS Forum?
A.2-3: Yes. As long as you are a full-time employee working in a professional field, you are eligible to
apply for the program.
Q3: From what point of view does the IATSS Forum do the screenings?
A3: In the interview, the IATSS Forum appreciates applicants’ ability to express their opinions
clearly. Also, we focus on whether the applicants are open-minded towards other points of view
and able to contribute on both an individual and a group level. From this point of view, we try
to select people from a variety of backgrounds and fields to avoid homogeneous groups.
Q4: I am Malaysian, and living in Singapore at the moment. Which country committee should I apply
to, Malaysia or Singapore?
A4: Please apply to the Malaysian Country Committee. If you have passed the document screening,
you will have a final interview in Malaysia as well. This is because participants will be selected
as representatives of their nations.
Q5: As the IATSS Forum is organized by IATSS (International Association of Traffic and Safety
Sciences), do the contents of the program only focus exclusively on transport related issues or
any specific field?
A5: No. The overarching theme of today's IATSS Forum is "Sustainable Development." The program
for the IATSS Forum has been developed with this theme in mind. The program includes
learning about the topic of mobility and transport, but it encompasses more than just that. We
aim to provide participants with numerous opportunities to expand their knowledge across
various fields and enable them to address a range of sustainability issues, thereby enhancing
their understanding of sustainability.
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Q6: I have heard that the IATSS Forum provides a leadership training program for promising young
individuals from Asian countries. Could you please tell me a little more about this program?
A6: The IATSS Forum fosters the development of participants’ leadership capacity which can
“produce new value from diversity.” The IATSS Forum considers a “leader” to be “a person who,
in striving towards a goal, is capable of bringing out the strengths of a group to their fullest.”
Therefore, “leadership” is “the ability to maximize a group’s potential by effectively applying
its strengths to their utmost, leading to the attainment of a goal.”
Q7: What is your teaching methodology as regards the Leadership Program?
A7: We believe in learning through experience and as such we provide participants with
opportunities to obtain leadership skills naturally, on their own. We do this through a variety of
programs such as “Group Study,” “Seminars,” “Field Study” and “International Exchange
Activities.” The role of the IATSS Forum is to empower young professionals from Asian
countries to cultivate leadership knowhow, by giving them a place to practice it.
Our motto, “Thinking and Learning Together,” has served as the core concept of the Forum
since its foundation. It is our hope that participants will be able to actualize this motto through
engaging in these programs where they will have the opportunity to act, take in new information
and learn on their own. We believe they will be able to make many new discoveries through
their experiences and observations and, in the end, come to a mutual understanding on matters
through discussions with other future Asian leaders.
Q8: I have heard that, at the IATSS Forum, there are no tests to complete the program, nor a
declaration of ranking regarding the participants’ performances. Why is that? In that case, will
no one be evaluating or giving advice for improvement? Will the performance of the participants
not be reported to their supervisors?
A8: The IATSS Forum does not evaluate participants or rank them. Because the purpose of the IATSS
Forum is not to obtain knowledge or information, we do not have tests to check how much
knowledge or information the participants have acquired. The IATSS Forum is a place where
participants cooperate with each other. Moreover, the IATSS Forum does not report anything to
the participants’ supervisors.
Participants can evaluate themselves on how deeply and broadly they have thought through a lot
of discussion in seminars or Group Study. During the IATSS Forum program, the participants
will have a lot of opportunities to think and discuss issues in meeting their Asian neighbors and
Japanese people, touching on Japan’s current situation, and tackling various Asian issues from a
global perspective. The objective of the IATSS Forum is to deepen participants’ understanding
by thinking and discussing things together on the basis of knowledge or information.
Q9: After completing the IATSS Forum program, I would like to visit some places before leaving
Japan; may I have permission to do so?
Q10: On the way back home from Japan, may I drop by some other countries? Of course, I do not
mind paying the necessary expenses.
A9&10: No. Participants must return to their home country by the designated date, on the designated
airline. Your training visa permits you to stay in Japan only during the program period. In
addition, your primary purpose should be to participate in the program, and after that to be
reinstated to your current job, to put what you have gained at the IATSS Forum into practical
use. From this point of view, the IATSS Forum requests that you return straight home right after
the program.
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Q11: Who bears the expenses related to the IATSS Forum program?
A11: The IATSS Forum pays for the round trip airfare, participation fees for the program,
accommodations, and almost all food expenses, etc. Participants need to pay for their personal
expenses and part of their food expenses. More detailed information regarding the burden of
expense is written in the “Letter of Agreement” which will be given to successful candidates
after the final interview.
Q12: After completion of the IATSS Forum program, will participants be involved in any particular
activity?
A12: After completion of the IATSS Forum program, participants will join the IATSS Forum alumni
association in their home country. These organizations offer a place to continue sharing a wealth
of experience through networks of alumni that span a broad range of ages and occupational fields.
Active alumni associations in each country provide opportunities for alumnus to get together
and exchange the latest information from various fields. Alumni activities also include
informational sessions for prospective applicants and NGO-type community services, such as
English lessons or traffic safety education for disadvantaged children.
Q13: I am a CEO, so I would need to work during the program if I was selected. How many hours per
day do I have free time or when does the daily program finish every day?
A13: You should not expect to have free time every day during the program. You are expected to
attend some evening programs, have practice or collaboration work on most of the evenings
during the program. You will be expected to build bonds and trust with other participants during
your free time, as a result we require participants to involve themselves fully in the forum’s
program and not busy themselves with outside work.
★On this sheet, only frequently asked questions are written. If you have any further questions, please
do not hesitate to contact your country committee secretary at any time.
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Committee Members:
< IATSS Forum Steering Committee >
Chairperson
Akihiro Nakamura (Mr.) Association Member, IATSS
Professor, Faculty of Economics, Chuo University
Vice Chairperson
Yuto Kitamura (Mr.) Association Member, IATSS
Professor, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo
Members
Miho Iryo (Ms.) Association Member, IATSS
Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering and Architecture,
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University
Nobuaki Ohmori(Mr.) Association Member, IATSS
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Regional Design, Utsunomiya University
Jun Kawaguchi (Mr.) Association Member, IATSS
Associate Professor, Department of Education, Faculty of Letters, Keio University
Yuka Nakagawa (Ms.) Association Member, IATSS
Professor, Faculty of Law, Chukyo University
Attorney at Law, Nakagawa Law & Consulting
Toshihiro Hiraoka (Mr.) Association Member, IATSS
Senior Chief Researcher, Mobility Research Division, Japan Automobile Research Institute
Nagahiro Yoshida (Mr.) Association Member, IATSS
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University
Akemi Ashida (Ms.) Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University
Kento Yoh (Mr.) Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University
< IATSS Forum Cambodian Committee >
Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center
Chairperson
Oum Ravy (Ms.) Vice Rector, Royal University of Phnom Penh
Members
Khim Leang (Mr.) Director, Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center
Sy Vanna (Mr.) President, IATSS Forum Cambodia Alumni Association
Advisor
Representative Embassy of Japan
Chikahiro Masuda (Mr.) Chief Advisor, Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center
< IATSS Forum Indian Committee >
LEAD India
Chairperson
Geetam Tiwari (Ms.) Professor for Transport Planning, Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology Delhi
Board Member, LEAD India
Vice Chairperson
Shruti Sharma (Ms.) Additional Principal Conservator of Forests, IFS (Indian Forest Services), Rajasthan
Fellow Director, LEAD India
Members
Girish Agrawal (Mr.) Associate Director (Strategy and Planning), Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering,
Shiv Nadar University
Bhawana Luthra (Ms.) Executive Director, LEAD India
Snehil Kumar (Mr.) Independent Consultant and Total Quality Counsellor
LEAD Fellow, LEAD India
Advisor
Representative Embassy of Japan
Vinay Dhingra (Mr.) Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.
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< IATSS Forum Indonesian Committee >
Astra Honda Motor Foundation
Chairperson
Abdi Hamdani (Mr.) Advisor, ABC Vision Capital
Vice Chairperson
Ahmad Muhibbuddin (Mr.) Chairman, Astra Honda Motor Foundation
Members
Eva Hotnaidah Saragih (Ms.) PPM School of Management, Senior Faculty member & Researcher,
Head of the Academic Integrity and Anti-Violence Task Force
Christian Siboro (Mr.) Senior Advisor of Mineral Industry Agency – Republic of Indonesia
Sadono Sriharjo (Mr.) Director of Education and Training of Ideology Pancasila Development,
The Agency for Ideology Pancasila Development
Advisor
Representative Embassy of Japan
Representative PT Astra Honda Motor
< IATSS Forum Lao Committee >
Lao Youth Union
Acting Chairperson
Vanhpheng Khounbolay (Ms.) Deputy Director General of Vocational Development Department, Lao Youth Union
Members
Sisomphone Tipanya (Ms.) Director of Vocation Training Division, Vocational Development Department, Lao Youth Union
Secretary, IATSS Forum Lao Secretariat
Advisor
Representative Embassy of Japan
< IATSS Forum Malaysian Committee >
University Malaya Centre of Industry Relations (UMCIR)
Chairperson
Dato’ Zuraidah Atan (Ms.) Advocate & Solicitor, Chambers of Zuraidah Atan
Members
Dato’ Robert Wong Lum Kong (Mr.) Former Group Managing Director, Oriental Holdings Berhad
Mohamad Nazmi Ismail (Mr.) Principal Assistant Director, Human Capital Development Division, Public Service Department,
Government of Malaysia
Zain Azrai Dato’ Dr Zaaba (Mr.) Vice President, Human Capital and Transformation, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT)
Armed Forces Fund Board
By Invitation
Prof Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman (Ms.) Chairman, MRANTI Corporation Sdn Bhd (Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation)
Prof Ir Dr Chong Wen Tong (Mr.) Director, UM Centre of Industry Relations (UMCIR) , Universiti Malaya
Advisor
Representative Embassy of Japan
Representative HONDA Malaysia Sdn.Bhd.
< IATSS Forum Myanmar Committee >
Myanmar Industries Association (MIA)
Chairperson
Zaw Min Win (Mr.) Senior Advisor, Myanmar Industries Association (MIA)
Members
Thein Han (Mr.) Managing Director, Golden Horse Co., Ltd
Aye Tun (Mr.) Chairman, Myanmar Industries Association (MIA)
Dr. Khin Maung Oo (Mr.) Vice Chairman, Myanmar Industries Association (MIA)
Advisor
Representative Embassy of Japan
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< IATSS Forum Philippine Committee >
Department of Science & Technology (DOST)
Chairperson
Maridon Onda Sahagun (Ms.) Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services, Department of Science and Technology
Members
Fortunato T. De la Peña (Prof.) President, Philippine Foundation of Science and Technology
Julius l. Meneses (Dr.) University Professor, Rizal Technological University
Manuel M. Muhi (Dr.) President, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Jennifer Sombrero (Ms.) President, Philippines IATSS Forum Alumni Association
Representative Embassy of Japan in the Philippines
Representative Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.
< IATSS Forum Singaporean Committee >
The National University of Singapore Society (NUSS)
Chairperson
George Abraham (Mr.) Chairman and Managing Director, The GA Group Pte Ltd.
Vice Chairperson
Soh Yi Da (Mr.) Member, The National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) Management Committee
Advisor
Representative Embassy of Japan
Representative Managing Director, Bukit Batok Driving Centre Ltd.
< IATSS Forum Thai Committee >
Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Chairperson
Phirun Saiyasitpanich (Dr.) Director-General, DCCE
Vice Chairperson
Komest Putthasorn (Mr.) Deputy Director-General, DCCE
Members
Putangoon Hoonsadee (Mr.) President of Thai IATSS Forum Alumni (TIFA)
Uma Srisuk (Ms.) Director of Participation Promotion in Climate Change and Environment Division, DCCE
Chaipon Juntawang (Mr.) Director of Children and Youth Environmental Promotion Section, DCCE
Advisor
Representative Embassy of Japan
Representative Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
< IATSS Forum Vietnamese Committee >
Vietnam Asia-Pacific Economic Center (VAPEC)
Chairperson
Nguyen Canh Binh (Mr.) Chairman of Alphabooks, Director of ABG Leadership Institute
Members
Doan Duc Thuan (Mr.) Vice-Director, Institute for Brand and Competitiveness Strategy (BCSI)
Pham Thi Thu Giang (Assoc. Prof. Dr.) Director of the Bachelor's Program in Japanese Studies, Vietnam Japan University – VNU
Ha Giang (Ms.) Deputy Manager, Vietinbank School
Nguyen Thi Phuong Thanh (Ms.) TV Anchor, Vietnam Television
Advisor
Representative Embassy of Japan
Representative Honda Vietnam Co., Ltd.
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IATSS Forum Country Secretariat:
IATSS Forum Suzuka, Japan
7992 Ino-cho, Suzuka, Mie,
510-0201 Japan
Tel: +81-59-367-7077
Fax: +81-59-367-7076
Homepage: http://www.iatssforum.jp
IATSS Forum Myanmar Secretariat
Secretary: Ms. Pyai Pyai Pwint
C/O Myanmar Industries Association (MIA)
UMFCCI Office Tower, 6th Floor
No.29, Min Ye Kyaw Swar Street,
Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: +95(0)1 2314830, +95(9)254 132 879
Fax: +95(0)1 2314832
E-mail: pyaipyai.pwint@gmail.com
myanmarcommittee.iatssforum@gmail.com
IATSS Forum Cambodian Secretariat
Secretary: Ms. Nuon Kossoma
c/o RUPP-CJCC, Russian Confederation Blvd.
Khan Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel (Office): +855(0) 23-883-649
Tel (Direct): +855(0) 12-226-943
E-mail: kossoma@cjcc.edu.kh / hr@cjcc.edu.kh
IATSS Forum Philippines Secretariat
Secretary: Mr. Dalmacio B. Telan
Office of the Undersecretary for S&T Services
c/o Department of Science and Technology
3rd Floor, DOST-Central Office Main Building
General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City,
1631 Republic of the Philippines
Tel: +63 (02) 8837-2071 local 3000
Email : ousec.sts@dost.gov.ph / dbtelan@dost.gov.ph
IATSS Forum Indian Secretariat
General Secretary: Ms. Bhawana Luthra
C/O LEAD India
E-133, 2nd Floor, Greater Kailash-1,
New Delhi - 110048, India
Tel: +91 11 29235721, 41638440, 29235720
Fax: 29235722
E-mail: bhawana@leadindia.org
IATSS Forum Singaporean Secretariat
Secretary: Ms. Jenny Ng
c/o The National University of Singapore Society (NUSS)
Kent Ridge Guild House, 9 Kent Ridge Drive,
Singapore 119241
Tel: (+65) 65863777 / Fax: (+65) 6778 8095
E-mail: iatssforum@nuss.org.sg
IATSS Forum Indonesian Secretariat
Secretary: Mr. Henky
Yayasan Astra Honda Motor
Jl. Yos Sudarso Sunter 1, Jakarta 14350, Indonesia
Tel: +62 (0)21 651-8080 (Ext. 18412)
Personal mobile/WA: +62-813-19727271
E-mail: henky.sumardy@astra-honda.com
IATSS Forum Thai Secretariat
Secretary: Uma Srisuk (Ms.)
Director of Participation Promotion in Climate Change and
Environment Division,
Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE)
Secretary Assistant: Chaipon Juntawang (Mr.)
Director of Children and Youth Environmental Promotion
Section, Participation Promotion in Climate Change and
Environment Division
Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE)
49 Soi 30, Rama 6 Road, Phayathai,
Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66(0)2-278-8400 ext. 1840
E-mail: iatssdcce168@gmail.com
IATSS Forum Lao Secretariat
Secretary: Ms. Sisomphone Tipanya
c/o Lao Youth Union, Lao PDR
The Vocational Training Division, Phonthan Road,
Xaysettha District, Vientiane Capital, Lao P.D.R.
Tel/Fax: +856 (0)21-416767
Mobile/WhatsApp’s: +856-20-55494816
Mobile: +856 20 28444065
E-mail: juy_81@yahoo.com
IATSS Forum Malaysian Secretariat
Secretary : Ms. Dawn Harun
Chairperson: Dato’ Zuraidah Atan
c/o Universiti Malaya
Pusat Perhubungan Industri (UMCIR)
4th Floor, Bangunan KPPI / IPPP Building, Universiti Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
E-mail: iatss_forum@um.edu.my
IATSS Forum Vietnamese Secretariat
IATSS Forum Vietnam (Country Secretariat)
Dream Center Building, 282 Nguyen Huy Tuong Street,
Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hotline : +84934208289
E-mail: iatssvietnam@gmail.com