Vietnam is entering a phase of development and international integration in all fields, especially in the infrastructure. In that process, improving the science and technology of the country is as one of the key factors. The model of research group in universities, taking the abundant energy resources of young scientists, is one of the great motivations to promote Vietnam's science and technology. 

The I-STAR is a Research Group on the Civil, Infrastructure and Environment Engineering, that gathers young and capable Vietnamese researchers with more than a half of members currently working at The University of Danang - University of Science and Technology (DUT) and others still working at research institutions in many countries such as the United States, Japan, Australia, Korea, etc. The I-STAR aims to be the leading research group in Vietnam on advanced infrastructure engineering towards sustainable development and adaptation to global climate change. 

The I-STAR is focusing simultaneously on academic research – developments and technology applications. The I-STAR structure that was built based on a model of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary research group is divided into 5 subgroups called I-STAR sub-team. These sub-teams include 4 specialized research topics focusing on intensive research and development, and 1 group in charge of human resource training (students, graduate students), linkage and technology transfer. Each I-STAR sub-team is led by a leader, and sub-teams collaborate on interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary research and technology applications in civil, infrastructure and environment engineering.

• October 2023: Dr. Huynh Phuong Nam, a member of the I-STAR research group (Sub-Istar 2: Sustainable Construction Materials), has been officially appointed as the vice rector of The University of Danang - University of Science and Technology (DUT). Despite the new position, Dr. Huynh Phuong Nam continues to maintain his research activities at I-STAR.

• August 2023: I-STAR members have participated in the organizing committee of "The 4th International Conference on Transportation Infrastructure and Sustainable Development (TISDIC 2023)"