On the afternoon of November 26, at the Ho Chi Minh City Innovative Startup Center. Ho Chi Minh City (SIHUB), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Ho Chi Minh City (HUTECH) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (S&t) of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City organized the InnovaTalk program and the final report of the contest “Innovative Ideas for Universities in the Southeast Region”. The event is one of the key activities of the Innovation, Science and Technology and Creative Startup Week of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 (WISE HCMC⁺ 2025), taking place from November 26 to 28, 2025.

Attending the workshop, there were Mr. Tran Ninh Dong – Acting Head of the Department of Intellectual Property Management and Innovation (Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City). Ho Chi Minh City); MSc. Nguyen Xuan Hung – Director of the Vietnam-Japan Institute of Technology (VJIT), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Ho Chi Minh City (HUTECH); MSc. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh – Director of the Center for Project Design and Innovation (VJIT); Mr. Nguyen Duy Thinh – Deputy Director of the Vietnam-Japan Institute of Technology, and delegates who are representatives of universities and a large number of students in the Southeast region.

Master Nguyen Xuan Hung – Director of the Vietnam-Japan Institute of Technology (VJIT), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Ho Chi Minh City (HUTECH) presented the topic at the workshop.

The program opened with the InnovaTalk section on innovation and entrepreneurship training towards sustainable development led by Master Nguyen Xuan Hung – Director of the Vietnam-Japan Institute of Technology (VJIT), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Ho Chi Minh City (HUTECH) presented. Through the sharing content, MSc. Nguyen Xuan Hung clarified the key role of universities in the city’s innovation ecosystem, emphasizing the model of “Startup Universities” according to OECD 2022, in which universities not only undertake the function of training and research but also act as a center for knowledge transfer, incubate ideas and promote start-up activities associated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students are encouraged to develop design thinking, innovative thinking, and entrepreneurial thinking, and learn through hands-on projects that address challenges in areas such as the environment, health, education, urban development, and digital transformation.

Following the program, the Organizing Committee reported on the summary of the implementation of the contest and honored and awarded excellent projects. Students from many universities in the Southeast region participated in presenting and introducing innovative ideas and solutions in fields such as healthcare, education, healthcare, high-tech agriculture, environmental protection and digital transformation. Many projects are highly appreciated for their novelty, feasibility and practical applicability, contributing to spreading the spirit of innovation, and affirming the important role of the young generation in promoting science and technology and sustainable development of the city in the coming period.

Closing the program, the Organizing Committee awarded the First, Second, Third, Consolation Prize and the Most Favorite Poster Prize to typical student groups. In addition, the projects in the Top 5 finalists were also recognized and honored, creating motivation for students to continue developing ideas in the future.

The Organizing Committee awarded the First Prize to the student group Nguyen Hong Quan – Tran Phuc Khang (University of Transport Ho Chi Minh City). With the project “VOICE CARE – AI helps detect Parkinson’s disease early through voice analysis” at the Award Ceremony of the contest within the framework of Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Week. Ho Chi Minh City in 2025.

The Organizing Committee awarded the Second Prize to the student group Nguyen Quoc Kiet – Pham Lien Tu Vinh – Nguyen Trieu Thao Vy – Nguyen Trinh Khoa – Nguyen Tran Loc Anh (Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology). Ho Chi Minh City) with the project “Traceability software for crops”, in order to contribute to improving management efficiency and ensuring safety in agriculture.

Student group Le Thi Phuong Thao – Nguyen Dinh Gia Bao – Phan Cong Vy – Nguyen Thi Ngoc Oanh (University of Economics and Finance Ho Chi Minh City) Ho Chi Minh City) received the Third Prize with the project “Shockproof cushioning from corn foam and bagasse”, aiming at environmentally friendly material solutions.

The Organizing Committee awarded the Consolation Prize to a group of students Nguyen Kim Quynh Nhu – Nguyen Thi Yen Phuong – Vo Thi Phuong Nhu – Bui Thanh Kiet – Ngo Hoang Long with the project “MITANA – Exploring the potential value of jackfruit”, contributing to increasing the value of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Representatives of the student group Tran Thi Cam Tien – Huynh Thanh Vy – Tran Dinh Du – Huynh Hong Sang (Nguyen Tat Thanh University) received the Most Favorite Poster Award with the project “CHLCUVA” at the closing and awarding program of the contest.

Through the program, the connection activities between management agencies, training institutions and relevant organizations have contributed to creating an exchange space, continuing the role of connecting and spreading the spirit of innovation in the student community and training institutions in the Southeast region. The award ceremony not only honors typical ideas with creativity and high applicability, but also contributes to strengthening the cohesion between schools, businesses and organizations in the startup and innovation ecosystem.

Delegates, the Organizing Committee and students took souvenir photos at the Closing Ceremony and Awarding Ceremony of the “Innovative Ideas” contest within the framework of Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Week. Ho Chi Minh City 2025.

This is also an important premise for ideas to continue to be incubated, perfected and gradually put into practice, contributing to the development of science – technology and socio-economy of the city in the coming period.

Source: Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City