Hackathon Day at LOMAR 2026: Refining Proposals, Connecting Creative Ideas with Local Development Needs

25 Jun, 2026

On June 22, 2026, Hackathon Day, the key activity of the Local Marketing Project (LOMAR) 2026, took place at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH). This marked an important stage of the competition, during which participating teams finalized their proposals, validated the feasibility of their projects, and presented their ideas to the Academic Council, the Judging Panel, and representatives of local authorities.

The program consisted of two intensive working sessions. During the morning session, teams participated in the Final Coaching session, which served as the final opportunity to review and refine their proposals under the direct guidance of the Academic Council. Feedback, critical comments, and recommendations from the experts enabled the teams to reassess their projects comprehensively, from research content and implementation strategies to presentation methods and idea delivery.

Academic Council

Supporting the teams throughout Hackathon Day was the Academic Council, comprising lecturers and experts with extensive experience in government, marketing, media, and creative design, including: Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Le Hoang Thuy To Quyen, Vice Dean in charge of the School of Government; Mr. Nguyen Vu Nhat Huy, Corporate Lecturer of the School of Media Design and former Creative Team Leader at Masan Consumer Holdings; Mr. Le Quoc Hung, Director of Kien Xuong Studio Design Consultancy Co., Ltd.; Ms. Nguyen Tran Cam Linh; Mr. Phan Nhat Trung; Mr. Phan Dinh Anh Khoa, former Art Director at Dentsu Vietnam and Founder of ZOOM-BEC; Dr. Pham Quang Anh Thu; Dr. Nguyen Minh Doi; and Dr. Nguyen Thi My Dieu.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Le Hoang Thuy To Quyen, Vice Dean in charge of the School of Government

In her opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Le Hoang Thuy To Quyen welcomed all participating teams and acknowledged their dedication and serious commitment throughout the LOMAR 2026 journey. She emphasized that Hackathon Day was not only an opportunity for teams to further refine their projects with the support of the Academic Council and the Judging Panel, but also a platform to connect students' creative ideas with local development needs, thereby fostering a sense of responsibility and aspiration among the younger generation to contribute to the community.

Following the opening session, the teams entered the Final Coaching sessions with members of the Academic Council across three specialized rooms. Room B1.305 focused on Design under the guidance of Mr. Phan Nhat Trung. Room B1.306 focused on Digital Solutions with Mr. Le Quoc Hung and Mr. Phan Dinh Anh Khoa. Room B1.307 focused on Marketing, led by Mr. Nguyen Tran Cam Linh and Mr. Nguyen Vu Nhat Huy.

Through these in-depth coaching sessions, teams had the opportunity to review their project structure, problem-solving approaches, implementation plans, and presentation methods. This was also an important period for teams to consolidate key content, make necessary adjustments, and finalize their proposals before presenting to the Judging Panel during the afternoon session.

Mr. Phan Nhat Trung, Lecturer at the School of Media Design, discussing with participating teams

Mr. Le Quoc Hung and Mr. Phan Dinh Anh Khoa, lecturers at the School of Media Design, working with participating teams

Mr. Nguyen Vu Nhat Huy, Lecturer at the School of Media Design, sharing with participating teams

Ms. Nguyen Tran Cam Linh, Lecturer at the School of Media Design, sharing with participating teams

During the afternoon session, participating teams officially presented their projects before the Judging Panel and representatives of local authorities. This was not only an opportunity for the teams to showcase the outcomes of their research but also to receive direct feedback from stakeholders, enabling them to further refine their projects in alignment with local needs and development priorities.

Participating teams gathering in the waiting room

During the presentation session, the teams introduced six proposals tailored to the development priorities of different localities.

For Binh Hung Hoa Ward, the teams focused on developing communication solutions to promote the message "Green Binh Hung Hoa," aiming to enhance public awareness and promote the image of a green, clean, and environmentally friendly locality.

For Binh Khanh Commune, the proposals centered on promoting the "OCOP Binh Khanh" brand by leveraging the value of local signature products through appropriate communication and branding strategies.

For Phu Nhuan Ward, the teams addressed the challenge of enhancing and promoting the value of Phan Xich Long Culinary Street, with the goal of establishing it as a distinctive cultural and culinary destination of the city.

Meanwhile, the projects for Binh Loi Commune explored local tourism potential by identifying, narrating, and promoting the area's unique cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and community life, thereby contributing to the development of a distinctive local tourism identity.

In addition, the challenge of positioning Cu Chi's image inspired diverse approaches to promoting a region rich in historical, cultural, and development potential.

For Duc Nhuan Ward, the participating teams proposed solutions to elevate the image of Ho Van Hue "Happiness Street," with the goal of creating an urban space that reflects a distinctive identity, strengthens community connections, and leaves a lasting impression on both residents and visitors.

The Hackathon results will serve as the basis for local authorities to evaluate and select the most suitable proposals for further collaboration during the implementation phase. This is also one of the distinguishing features of LOMAR, where ideas extend beyond the scope of a competition and have the opportunity to be implemented in practice, contributing to solving real-world challenges and creating meaningful value for local communities.

At the conclusion of Hackathon Day, participating teams had the opportunity to reflect on their journey while gaining valuable experience for the next stage of the project. The event also demonstrated LOMAR 2026's commitment to connecting knowledge, creativity, and community responsibility in pursuit of sustainable local development.