Global Hackathon 2025: Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development

20 Sep, 2025

From September 10 to 13, 2025, the Institute of Innovation under the College of Technology and Design at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), in partnership with international collaborator Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Singapore), successfully organized the Global Hackathon 2025 themed “Greenovation: Green Growth & Inclusive Innovation - Building Solutions for Better Living.” The program stood out after nearly four days of inspiring exchanges, learning, and intensive work, where the global young generation joined forces to realize highly creative technology solutions addressing environmental and sustainable development challenges.

Commemorative photo between UEH and Ngee Ann Polytechnic at the opening session of Global Hackathon 2025

Greenovation: Advancing global development goals

With the theme “Greenovation” encouraging the young generation to seek innovative solutions for sustainable development, the competition was designed as a journey of learning – experience – creativity, where students collaborated to build ideas, develop prototypes, and produce solutions that hold commercial value while generating positive social impact. Through multicultural and multidisciplinary collaboration between students of UEH and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, the program further contributed to realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Experts in discussion

Group discussion activities to develop ideas

Training series – Equipping skills, fostering a creative spirit

The Global Hackathon 2025 teams were equipped with a solid toolkit through a series of in-depth workshops, inspiring conversations with experts, and opportunities to learn directly from startup founders. This was not only a chance to accumulate knowledge and hone skills, but also a valuable experience that ignited creativity, nurtured an aspiration for innovation, and energized participants to confidently conquer Hackathon challenges.

In-depth workshops:

+ Design Thinking 101 & Business Model Design – MSc. Huynh Ngoc Quang Anh, Lecturer, UEH Institute of Innovation

+ Ideation and solution development – MSc. Vu Thi Minh Giang, Lecturer, UEH Institute of Innovation

+ Value Proposition for Business – MSc. Vuong Khiet, Lecturer, UEH Institute of Innovation

+ Pitching Skill – Ms. Doan Thao Nhi, Manager, ISHCMC, Cognita Group

MSc. Huynh Ngoc Quang Anh - Lecturer, UEH Institute of Innovation with the workshop: Design Thinking 101 & Business Model Design

Students attentively listening and engaging with the speaker

Fireside Chat – a candid conversation format where students heard real-world insights and were inspired. At Global Hackathon 2025, the Fireside Chat featured two key topics:

+ Startup, Innovation Landscape in Viet Nam – Mr. Giang Buu Chau, Manager, Endeavor Vietnam.

+ Impact Entrepreneurship – Ms. Pham Thu Trang, National Youth Coordinator, UNDP Viet Nam

Mr. Giang Buu Chau - Manager, Endeavor Vietnam sharing at the Competition on the topic Startup, Innovation Landscape in Viet Nam

Ms. Pham Thu Trang - National Youth Coordinator, UNDP Viet Nam sharing at the Competition on the topic Impact Entrepreneurship

Learning from founders through the Founder Talk:

+ Mr. Ho Thai Binh - Co-Founder, CEO, SSVN Survival Skills

+ Ms. Quinn Nguyen - Founder of CyberPurify, LiveChatWithUs, and RealwithAthena

+ Mr. Mark Anthony Marquez - Co-Founder, SkinMatch

+ Mr. Zachary - Founder, Coqni

Founders sharing their entrepreneurial journeys in the Founder Talk session, bringing many practical stories and lessons learned to young participants

The Organizing Committee taking a commemorative photo with the speakers after the Founder Talk session within the framework of Global Hackathon 2025

Journey of knowledge exchange and international collaboration

Global Hackathon 2025 attracted more than 30 students, including 15 from UEH and 20 from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Singapore). Participants were divided into multinational teams and worked with the close support of professional mentors and experienced judges. As a result, each team had the opportunity to experience a real working environment where ideas were continuously debated, tested, and refined.

Throughout four days, teams co-developed solutions and endured many hours of intense yet exhilarating teamwork. The Final Round on September 13 was where those efforts crystallized into creative, compelling, and practical presentations, offering the judging panel and audience fresh perspectives on sustainable development.

Teams engaged in lively group work and discussions during the series of in-depth workshops

Results and recognition

After dynamic final-round pitching presentations, the teams presented their solutions to the Jury comprising esteemed experts in startups, investment, and sustainable development, specifically:

+ Ms. Pham Thu Trang - National Youth Coordinator, UNDP Viet Nam

+ Mr. Suresh G Kumar - Investor, Board Member - Co-founder of ESG Network Vietnam

+ Mr. Giang Buu Chau - Manager - Endeavor Vietnam

+ Khuong Nguyen (Tommy) Cong Thanh - Investment Associate at Capital JDI, Ex-Entrepreneur

With fair and expert evaluation, the Jury selected the most outstanding teams:

First Prize: Team Bai Bien

Second Prize: Team Innosphere

Third Prize: Team CrossZ

Top 3 best teams of the Final Round in Viet Nam

Alongside the honor of receiving awards, the top team of the Viet Nam Final Round - Team Bai Bien - will proceed to the Global Round, where they will compete with students from other countries in the region such as Indonesia, Thailand, China, and more. This will be an opportunity for students to demonstrate capability, broaden international perspectives, and spread the Greenovation spirit on a global scale.

Imprints of Global Hackathon 2025 – A journey of connection and creativity

Global Hackathon 2025 was not only a playground for discovering innovative technology solutions, but also a journey bonding international students, cultivating teamwork, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills. The competition’s success is reflected in contestants’ maturity, the diffusion of cross-cultural collaboration, and the practical ideas oriented toward sustainable development.

This success has laid the groundwork for future hackathon seasons, affirming the role of Global Hackathon as an international bridge for the young generation to jointly shape a greener, more creative, and more inclusive future.

Let’s look back at the memorable moments, creative spirit, and the journey of building a greener future at Global Hackathon 2025.